We recently connected with Adrian Cortez and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Adrian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business
When Desert Legion was originally founded as a mowing and junk removal company, a few months after our inception, we received a call from a customer requesting a quote to remove approximately 300 SQFT of decorative rock from his backyard. This would be our first time providing this service. My brother Omar and I scheduled an onsite appointment, walked around the property, and quoted him $250. The customer was an elderly gentleman on a fixed income who asked if we could do it for $200. Out of compassion and excitement, we agreed. For our first rock removal, we estimated it would take 2-3 hours with two men doing manual labor. I calculated that one hour would be enough to shovel and wheelbarrow everything into the utility trailer, plus 30-40 minutes to drive to the landfill, and another hour to unload at the landfill.
At the time, we had an old, beat-up utility trailer; I remember laying down a tarp inside to prevent the rocks mixed with dirt from falling through the gaps. We arrived at the job site at 7 a.m., only with one wheelbarrow and two shovels. My brother thought it would be a walk in the park. We started removing the rock and noticed that in one area, the depth was only 1-2 inches. However, in the larger area, the depth was 3-5 inches. My mistake was assuming both areas had the same depth, so I thought the amount of material to remove would be double. We didn’t even reach one-third of the second area when our utility trailer was full.
My trailer’s GVWR was probably around 5,000 pounds. We had to make two trips to the landfill to remove all the rock we had agreed to take away. This was during the summer, when the temperature was between 113-115 degrees. The second trip was the most challenging—it was around 1 p.m., and we were already exhausted. We still had a full load to unload, and we had to take breaks every 10-15 minutes. It took about an hour and a half to get all the rock off the trailer.
All I remember was looking at other landscapers with hydraulic dump trailers coming and going. They would arrive, open their trailer doors with the press of a button, and all the debris—dirt, concrete, rock, pavers, bricks—would fall out easily. Meanwhile, my brother and I kept shoveling. I clearly recall other landscapers telling us sarcastically, “Good luck, keep it going, you’re almost there.” I was exhausted, feeling the pain in my body, experiencing dehydration, and feeling angry at myself for making such a bad deal. After dumping fees, my brother and I only made $80 each for a full day of work.
There were many lessons learned from this experience. First, the key to a successful business is investing in the right equipment to ensure the safety of our employees and others on the road. Equipment that increases productivity and makes tasks easier is essential. I tend to buy equipment that helps my employees work more efficiently and reduces back pain, especially since working in the Arizona heat is no joke.
The following week, I stopped at a dump trailer dealership and purchased my first dump trailer. A year later, I saved up and bought a brand-new stand-on mini skid steer.
The second lesson is that assumptions are the first step to failure. Always double-check your measurements, take your time, and inspect thoroughly when providing quotes. This attention to detail can make or break the success of your business.
The third lesson is that we stay accountable. Not every project will run smoothly; there will be bumps in the road and possibly financial losses. However, regardless of the circumstances, we will not cut corners or put our reputation in jeopardy. We are committed to delivering what we promised. We learn from our failures and do our best to prevent similar issues from happening again.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a husband and soon-to-be father, an entrepreneur, and a practicing Catholic dedicated to making a positive impact in my community. My life is rooted in faith, and I believe that with God’s guidance, anything is possible. I am a man who fears the Lord. Not in a fearful way, but with deep reverence and respect for His Presence, guiding my actions each day. One of my personal goals is to inspire others to draw closer to God through a lifestyle of servanthood, following the example Jesus set in the Bible. I aspire to live as a positive role model, encouraging others to lead lives filled with faith, love, and purpose. Ultimately, I want my life to reflect God’s love and serve as a testament to the transformative power of faith and service.
Early in life, I was taught that nothing in life is simply handed to you; you must work hard and earn your success. My journey led me to pursue higher education at GCU, where I graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. This achievement opened doors and provided me with the opportunity to work for two extraordinary companies: Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Carvana. There, I learned valuable lessons about company culture and how it impacts both customers and employees. Jack Taylor, the founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, believed that “Take care of customers and employees first, and profits will follow.” This philosophy is one we aim to follow at Desert Legion.
While I am grateful for those experiences, I soon realized that corporate life wasn’t for me. Sitting behind a desk and working on a computer for ten hours a day felt unfulfilling. It took me some time to be honest with myself and recognize that I am a builder at heart. Since I was a kid, I remember being more of a hands-on and visual learner, someone who was good at building things. There was always an internal satisfaction whenever I completed a project or built something. Every time we create a “Wow” moment for a customer at Desert Legion, it takes me back to those childhood memories and reminds me of the joy I find in creating.
One day, my uncle pulled me aside and noticed I hadn’t been the same for a few months. That led to deep conversations about life and my goals. My uncle owns a successful landscaping company. He barely speaks English, didn’t attend college, yet he was earning twice what I made at Carvana—without working 50 hours a week. A man of faith, he attributed his success to a blessing from God. I vividly remember him telling me, “You were created by God for much greater things,” and he kindly offered to teach me the ins and outs of the business.
Making that decision wasn’t easy. At times, I felt like I had failed myself, my family, and everything I stand for. I questioned if I was throwing away my four-year degree and countless nights of studying. Instead of moving toward my goals, I felt like I was moving away from them. After hours of meditation and prayer, I realized that much of my fear stemmed from a fear of failure. I asked myself, “What is success?” Is it a million dollars in the bank? A big house? A fancy car? Becoming an influencer? I believe everyone has their own definition of success. To me, success is investing time wisely in what I love. For me, family and time are the most valuable things. Now, as I prepare to become a father, I want to be present for my children. I want have the ability to take them to school, pick them up from school, participating in their extracurricular activities, and sharing in their experiences. These are moments I missed growing up because my parents worked long hours and often had side jobs just to make ends meet.
I come from a low-income family. My parents migrated to this country with nothing, sacrificing everything to seek a better life. We moved from state to state until we found stability in Arizona. I’ll never forget my roots, but I am determined not to let them define my future. That’s how Desert Legion was born. The journey helped me address many of the gaps I felt in my life.
Shortly after I asked my uncle to teach me, I was introduced to his inner circle—a network of experienced professionals, many with over 10 or 15 years in the landscaping industry. Some specialized in brick, pavers, turf, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and more. I saw the opportunity to combine their expertise with my customer service background. Building the business wasn’t easy. Desert Legion was founded in mid 2019. Initially, it was a mowing and junk removal company. It took about a year to fully understand the business, and gradually, we transitioned into hardscaping and landscaping. By late 2023, Desert Legion became a licensed with registrar of contractors in the state of Arizona. We want our customer to have the peace of mind that their investment is always protected and will will comply with the state codes.
At Desert Legion we specialize in landscape construction and transforming outdoor living spaces while upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship and professionalism. We understand that our customers’ outdoor living spaces are an extension of their home and lifestyle. Our goal is to create beautiful, modern, and functional living spaces tailored to our customers’ unique needs. Whether they are looking for luxury landscaping or minimalistic designs, we have them covered.
Desert Legion is more than just about creating beautiful outdoor spaces. Our true focus is on building long-lasting relationships grounded in honesty, quality, and integrity. We aim to develop connections that go beyond simply being another client. We want our clients to feel like part of the Desert Legion family. As a family-owned and family-operated business, we prioritize taking care of our clients like they are family. This commitment to genuine relationships and integrity is what sets us apart from many competitors.
Have you ever had to pivot?
One of the most pivotal moments in my life took place in February 2019. I was invited to my church’s annual young adults retreat at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church. The retreat took place in Prescot AZ in the wilderness away from the city. It was a full weekend retreat, and while I had attended similar events before, this was the first time I truly experienced the presence of God in a profound way. I can’t fully describe the emotions, sensations, and peace I felt during that experience. The words fall short. It was truly transformative. That weekend, I accepted Jesus into my heart, recognizing Him as my Lord and Savior.
After that weekend, I felt compelled to share my experience with others. I wanted people to know that Jesus is real. I began reading the Bible. something I had never done before. I began to attend church more frequently. I completed my First Communion and Confirmation, deepening my faith. Later, I became involved with Generación Lux Dei, a young adult ministry dedicated to helping individuals aged 18-33 grow in their faith. From January 2022 to January 2025, I had the honor of coordinating and leading this ministry. It was my way of giving back to my community and expressing gratitude for all the blessings I had received.
Through this ministry, I met the love of my life, Jaquelyn Gallegos. She is beautiful, talented, and loves God passionately. Her voice during worship is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard. We recently got married in March, and we are expecting a baby in 2026. I could go on about the many ways God has worked in my life, but ultimately, none of this would have happened if I hadn’t chosen to follow Him and allow His guidance to lead me.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There is no more powerful book in existence than the Bible. It is through its teachings that the Word of God becomes real and alive. I like to think of the Bible as a manual for life. However, just like any manual, many of us often neglect to read it, believing we already know everything.
One of my favorite passages is Matthew 16:24-27, where Jesus says: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be my follower, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man will come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and he will reward each person according to what they have done.’”
To me, this passage encapsulates what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We live in a fascinating age where society evolves rapidly, and information is at our fingertips. Yet, many are consumed by human desires—money, pleasure, power, and fame. Our culture often becomes egocentric and materialistic, focused on personal success, the latest car, fashion, and status symbols.
This passage challenges me to renounce those selfish desires—to die to myself and to worldly pursuits. The cross symbolizes sacrifice and reminds me of Jesus’ love for us, demonstrated through His crucifixion. Thanks to the freedoms we enjoy in this country, I am able to openly express my faith. Jesus’ life exemplifies servanthood; He came to serve, not to be served. As His followers, we are called to participate in the glorious work of God’s kingdom by serving others—whether the sick, the poor, or those in need.
When I serve my employees, customers, community, family, and friends, I find that my life gains true purpose and meaning. This passage continually challenges me to live selflessly and to reflect Christ’s love in all I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.desertlegionaz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertlegionaz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Desert-Legion-LLC/61557568757333/#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DesertlegionAZ
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/desert-legion-avondale
