I will design a furniture set for a patio functional and affordable. You are an startup so I think your first collection has to be iconic and it should work as a furniture set, so your clients would be able to buy the complete set for their patio.. Granite is a beautiful material so I think the best way to creat an identity for your startup would be giving the protagonism to this stone.
About functional requirements, this furniture has to be durable, outdoor resistant and enough lighter to be manageable. This is outdoor furniture so for the wood the best ideal would be to use iroko or teak. If there is another wood common in your area and good for being outdoor also it would be great to know about it.
My way to work is doing a briefing with my client to know the esthetics and requirements they need on their project. We will include inspiration pictures from Pinterest, google or another furniture brands in order to find tips to make an original design for you. This task is very important because doing it, each part would be sure that we are working on the same way. In the other hand, just for $50 you would know if my work can reach your expectatives.
After that, I will give you some sketches and renders with my ideas and designs. You will select the best designs and I will develope that ideas with the modifications you would need until reaching the final design.
Sorry my english is not the best but I hope I've been able to explain myself.
Have a good day;)
Juan