Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Robert Rodriguez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Robert, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?
Best lesson that I learned while working a job when I was younger is that you cannot be afraid to make mistakes. I worked for a company as a project manager prior to becoming a business owner and while working there I had the opportunity to learn from a talented PM named Cory. One of the very first days at the company- He asked me to come along and install some landscaping lights. As we got to the jobsite, I got really nervous because I had no experience wiring or working with lighting. When we got to the site, he said you will take one side, and he would do the other half of the walkway. I replied that I did not know how to do it. He told me not to worry that he would show me. However, I was terrified at the idea of anything having to do with electric because I did not want to make a mistake, damage the lights and even worse hurt myself. He told me that you cannot be scared of the possibility of what could happen but rather the possibility of not doing something and then realizing that you should have done it. For me, I am an overthinker and I would choose not to do something for the fear of not doing it right. I did not want to do the lighting because of fear to splice the wires incorrectly or break these expensive lighting fixtures. He said that once you do it something no matter how bad you are at it-the better you were going to get at it and generally everyone gets better with practice. Funny how that would go on to be one of the best advice that I received from someone. It was that strength to not be afraid which help me start my own business (the fear of the unknown) and it was those wise words that has allow me to empower my employees to make decisions even if they feel sometimes that they could make errors on sites. It was also those same words that have allowed me to start networking because I was afraid to speak in front of groups. My quote that I would tell someone coming up or considering starting a business- “Do not live for fear of failure but live to embrace failure and use it as a tool for success”. Lessons we learn come from blunders and that is what makes us human but is also what makes us great.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Here is my story:
Quality Hands Landscaping: Building Dreams Outdoors
Quality Hands Landscaping really started with me wanting to take what I’d learned in business and construction management and do it for myself. For years I oversaw landscaping projects, and eventually I realized I wanted to bring that same kind of work directly to my own clients. What started with just me has grown into a team that now handles landscaping, hardscaping, masonry and full outdoor designs.
Most of the time, people reach out because they just don’t have the time, strength, or the know- how to take care of their outdoor spaces. Sometimes it’s overgrown shrubs, drainage problems or just needing someone to turn an idea in theor head into reality. That’s where we come in- we make it simple and bring their vision to life.
What sets us apart isn’t just design, it’s how we approach the work. I try to keep things simple, be myself and always communicate. If someone calls or messages me, I believe they deserve a quick response. and at the end of the day, quality is in our name for a reason- that’s what we focus on.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come, from starting out alone to now tackling projects I never imagined this early one. Some have been challenging, some creative, and many just beautiful- but the best part is always the clients’ satisfaction. Big or small, every project matters, and every client matters. My goal is to build your dreams with my two hands- and help you create your own quality along the way.
Any advice for managing a team?
For me, managing a team is really about respect and communication.
I started out by myself, so I know what it’s like to do the hard work day in and day out. I try to make sure my team knows I see that and appreciate it. If you want people to stay motivated, you’ve got to treat them well, keep things simple and be clear about expectations.
I also think it’s important to celebrate the wins, no matter how big or small. When a project turns out great or a client is happy, I make sure the team knows that’s because of their effort. At the end of the day, people want to feel valued and part of something that matters- and if you can give them that, morale stays strong.
Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?
One of the scariest moments came during winter- Our slowest season. We had taken on a commercial contract that didn’t pay for 90 days, but all the material and labor had to be covered upfront. The bills were piling up, my guys had to get paid, and the bank account was running dangerously low. We were a one week away from being wiped out. Then, almost like a blessing, one check came in, then another and another and we pulled through. It was a very close call, and it taught me a lot about resilience and planning- but more than anything, it reminded me why I push so hard to keep this business moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.qualityhandslandscaping.com
- Instagram: @qualityhandslandscaping
- Facebook: @qualityhandslandscaping
- Other: TikTok: @Qualityhandslandscaping
