Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with CARMEN URIBE of Culver City

CARMEN URIBE shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

CARMEN, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
People often think landscaping is just mowing lawns or planting flowers. In reality, it’s design, construction, and long-term care for living systems. It’s about creating spaces that add value, beauty, and function — not just for a season, but for years to come.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“My name is Carmen Uribe, and together with my husband, we own and operate A Greener Tomorrow Landscaping Inc., a family-run business we started over 30 years ago in Culver City. What makes our company special is that we approach landscaping as both an art and a science — blending creative design with practical, sustainable solutions. Over the years, we’ve transformed everything from intimate gardens to large estates and commercial campuses.

What’s unique about our story is that we’ve built our reputation on personal relationships, trust, and attention to detail. We don’t just design and install landscapes — we care for them like living systems, which is why so many of our clients have stayed with us for decades. Recently, we’ve expanded into Temecula and Murrieta, where we’re bringing the same level of craftsmanship and creativity to estate and wine country properties. For me, landscaping isn’t just a business, it’s a legacy and a passion — a way to create outdoor spaces that truly enrich people’s lives.”**

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a deeply creative soul who saw beauty and potential where others saw neglect — in the ugliest plants, forgotten gardens, or tired landscapes. That part of me never left; it became the foundation of my 30+ year journey in landscaping, transforming ordinary spaces into living works of art.”

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience, grit, and faith in myself in ways success never could. As a first-generation daughter raised in a very low-income household under a traditional macho culture, I learned early how to push through barriers, speak up for myself, and carry responsibility long before success ever came. Those challenges gave me strength, empathy, and vision — qualities that no achievement alone could have taught me.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in landscaping is that automation will replace people. While technology is helpful, the truth is this work still requires human skill, creativity, and care — you can’t automate vision or craftsmanship. Another lie is that our industry isn’t as valuable as others in construction or design. Landscapers often get undervalued, yet we’re the ones who bring life, beauty, and long-term functionality to a property.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people may misunderstand my legacy by assuming it was only about working hard. The truth is, I sometimes worked so much that I forgot to pause and enjoy the fruits of my labor or even see who would truly benefit from it. My hope is that my legacy isn’t seen as wasted effort, but as a reminder that dedication should be balanced with living, sharing, and savoring what we create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agreenertomorrowinc.com
• Instagram: @_agreenertomorrowinc
• Youtube: A Greener Tomorrow Inc