Today we’d like to introduce you to Rumaldo Flores.
Hi Rumaldo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story started over 30 years ago! It has truly been history in the making. Originally from a small town in Mexico, I moved to LA with my Family. We started on a path to expand our existing life and provide create a better one. My father was well versed in Landscaping and so pushed me to do the same. My goal was to start my own business. In the midst of this, I ended up dropping out of High School at 11th Grade due to the struggles and misunderstandings that I was running into. My current view is that education is very important, but it wasn’t until I did courses on how to study and how to learn that I was able to actually educate myself. I continued to work with my father at the time in Landscaping and realized that I enjoyed doing this work and enjoyed the products that I would create. This hit home with me and I decided to pursue my goal of creating my own company that performs outstanding Landscaping, that works together as a team to get their product and have happy clients who can use their space. I managed to find knowledge that worked for me in regards to increasing my communication skills, the fundamentals of communication, increasing my own client understanding, basics of organization, company management, staff morale and many many more topics that put together a successful company.
I got my Contractor’s License in 2004 and had my company born in the middle of my kitchen! It has been growing ever since, now to a company with over 35 employees.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There has definitely been challenges, however with my goal and purpose as my overriding drive to continue, I have persevered through these challenges to make it to where I am today. These challenges came in the form of language barriers, study barriers, knowing who you can trust, financial management, legal restrictions and protocols, making a team and satisfying clients all along the way.
This one story really illustrates it:
We had a project that was with a short timeline and high demand. Things needed to be delivered on a strict time schedule with no room for error. We had price increases with our supplier, all the while we had a contract with a certain price range and quotes. There were state-wide shortages on material, but still we were expected to make the deadlines, as well as shortages in labor! The client’s demand increased throughout this.
How do you handle that? It came down to Communication skills, Understanding, organization, confronting the situation, taking ownership and responsibility to figure it out.
With your back against the wall, you either decide to use your management tools to create a successful project or you go under. We obviously, pushed passed the barriers and used the knowledge gained over the years to bring the project to completion and success.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Flores Artscape Inc.?
Flores Artscape a family-owned and run landscaping company that services the greater Los Angeles area. With over 25 years of experience in landscaping and outdoor construction, I took my life-long love of the craft and turned it into a full-fledged design and installation company.
Flores Artscape offers a wide range of custom outdoor services including the installation of softscapes, patios, fences, driveways, etc. Since their start, we’ve received numerous awards from Yelp, Houzz, Nextdoor, Angie’s List, and several others for our excellent service and beautiful results.
We specialize in drought tolerant and California natives, drip irrigation, decomposed granite, gravel, pebbles and artificial turf. With water restrictions being higher this year, we need to keep in mind the value of homes with our drought tolerant designs and systems without losing the aesthetics, as well as helping to increase our eco-system. This really sets us apart as we have the lines, knowledge and manpower to get these designs to become a reality. Our consultations bring people into a position of knowing and being certain of what they want.
In terms of our brand, we have leveled up to doing projects for celebrities, the government, city officials and of course our neighbors! Our quality is enjoyed by all and so our clientele base has grown to thousands!
A great majority of our customers are artists that are improving and creating new world! We love to help them get their yards artistically done so that they can continue their creativity.
Thank you to all of the artists uplifting the culture and giving us, Flores Artscape, the opportunity to help you do that.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You have to have a purpose, a dream and stay true to it. Whatever you do, your product or service, it needs to benefit society. When you have those basic principles formulated, they will get you through the problems and barriers and keep you inspired. Focusing on your end goal will get you through the difficult times.
Over the years, I have learned a lot about finances, human resources, communication, and other useful skills that I wish I knew from the beginning. However, that never stopped me from succeeding and it shouldn’t stop you either. You can learn any ability you want to if you put in the effort.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: floresartscape.com
- Instagram: @floresartscape
- Facebook: @floresartscape
- Twitter: @FloresArtscape
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFs3pHJUNN0yYNZhI8g5bPg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/flores-artscape-los-angeles-5
