Hi, I'm Mark.
Co-founder and lead engineer at VisualBoston. I build scalable web applications and use AI to accelerate the entire process, from design to deployment.
A bit about me
My journey began on the founding team of CampusLIVE at UMass Amherst, a college startup that grew from dorm room idea to a multi-million dollar company backed by Highland and CRV. This early experience didn't just teach me how to code; it showed me how technology can scale human connections and create real business value.
At Google Ventures-backed CustomMade, I grew my the frontend skills and used them to help them connect thousands of artisans with customers seeking custom furniture and jewelry. I learned that great user interfaces aren't just about clean code, they're about understanding user psychology, reducing friction, and building trust through digital experiences.
After CustomMade, I spent the next five years as an independent consultant, working with dozens of Boston-area startups across industries from fintech to healthcare and beyond. Each project taught me something new about solving complex technical challenges while meeting aggressive business timelines.
In 2020, these experiences and connections led me to co-found VisualBoston, where I lead engineering for our digital agency. We've grown from a pandemic pivot to a thriving team that helps ambitious companies build their digital presence.
Technical Foundation
Core Expertise & Technical Stack
My 15+ years in frontend engineering span the evolution from jQuery to modern frameworks. I specialize in:
- Frontend Architecture: React, Vue, Angular, and vanilla JavaScript for high-performance applications
- Modern Development: TypeScript, Node.js, Progressive Web Apps, and JAMstack architectures
- Performance Optimization: Core Web Vitals mastery, load time optimization, and mobile-first responsive design
- AI Integration: Combining traditional frontend development with generative AI for rapid prototyping and enhanced user experiences
What Sets Me Apart
I obsess over creating seamless experiences on the web. Having worked at venture-backed startups, I understand the pressure to ship fast while building for scale. I've led technical decisions that supported 10x user growth, optimized applications serving millions of requests, and mentored development teams through complex product launches.
My current obsession is the intersection of AI and frontend development. I'm building tools and workflows that leverage generative AI to accelerate the design-to-code process, automate repetitive development tasks, and create more intuitive user interfaces. This isn't just about using ChatGPT to write code. It's about fundamentally rethinking how we build digital products.
Current Projects
Beyond client work, I'm building products that solve real problems:
TallyQuote
A voice-powered estimating tool for tradespeople. Record a walkthrough at the job site, and AI extracts line items to generate professional proposals in minutes.
Garden Mates
A yard sharing app that connects gardeners who have extra space with those looking for a place to grow.
Layerflow
An AI-powered UI builder with composable layers for rapidly prototyping and building interfaces.
Beyond Technology
Growing More Than Code
When I step away from the screen, you'll find me in the garden with my hands in the soil. I hold a Permaculture Design Certificate and am passionate about regenerative agriculture practices. I'm an avid gardener â growing vegetables, herbs, and fruit on our quarter-acre lot in suburban Boston.
Permaculture principles have actually influenced how I approach software development. Both involve designing sustainable systems, understanding interconnected relationships, and creating solutions that improve over time. Whether I'm planning a garden bed or architecting an application, I'm thinking about long-term sustainability and beneficial relationships between components.
Ready to Build Something Great?
I work with forward-thinking companies and ambitious entrepreneurs who understand that exceptional digital experiences drive business results. Whether you need a technical co-founder, a frontend architect for your next big feature, or a consulting partner to help navigate complex development challenges, I'd love to explore how we can work together.
Current availability: I take on 1-2 strategic consulting projects per quarter alongside my work at VisualBoston.
Get In Touch:
- Visit VisualBoston.com to see our agency work and case studies
- Email me directly at mark@stenquist.com for consulting inquiries
- Connect with me on LinkedIn to follow my thoughts on frontend development and AI
Currently most interested in projects involving AI integration, complex data visualization, or scaling frontend architectures for high-growth companies.
Grow something real.
One-on-one consultation with a permaculture-trained gardener. Whether you're starting your first raised bed or want to turn your yard into a productive ecosystem, let's build a plan that works for your space.
Credentials & Experience
- Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) â Trained in ecological design, companion planting, soil health, and building resilient growing systems
- 15+ years of hands-on gardening â From seed to harvest, across New England's challenging growing conditions
- Quarter-acre garden â Avid gardener growing vegetables, herbs, fruit, and perennials in suburban Boston
What We Can Cover
Starting from Seed
Indoor setup, timing, hardening off, transplanting.
Garden Bed Setup
Raised beds, soil, no-dig methods, layout planning.
Composting
Hot compost, vermicomposting, bokashi. Build living soil.
Growing Food
Crop planning, companion planting, maximizing small spaces.
Perennials & Food Forests
Fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs â plants that give every year.
Permaculture Design
Whole-site design, zones, water management, resilient landscapes.
Ready to Build Something Great?
Consultations are held virtually or in-person in the greater Boston area. Reach out and tell me about your space.