From Nothing To Something

Well, it has been four years since I last wrote on here. We went through a global pandemic, and many other trivial obstacles along the way. The journey has been nothing short of amazing. Through all the stress, and “problems” we have come out healthy and ready to take on the next day.

Eighteen year-old me would be extremely proud, as we have year after year done millions in work. From gas stations, fire stations, car washes, religious institutions, schools, apartment complexes, to 500 acre communities, we have expanded our reach and client base. Our teams have travelled from Tampa, Sarasota, down south to Marco Island. We have faced challenges and learned along the way.

The Family of Gaea continues to grow every year. With low turnover, we have been able to provide a consistent service to all of our clientele. We have brought all our services in house, becoming a single source service provider. From the inception of your project, to the groundskeeping, pest control, and enhancements, we are able to provide a plan and solution. A commitment to providing quality, prompt, proactive, and superior results is what keeps our company growing.

Gaea Landscaping is something I am proud of dearly, and my family values are the foundation to the way I have built it. I am excited for what is yet to come, and the business relationships we have yet to meet. Our company is fortunate to be witnessing the tremendous growth of SW Florida.

If you have been along for the ride, thank you for the support. Our company continues to grow due to the tight nit group of people that continue to recommend us any opportunity they can. If you are new to the Gaea family, and are reading this, the answer to your question is “Yes”. We are equipped and fit to handle your project or property. From 1 acre to 1000 acres, there is nothing Gaea Landscaping has not done.

Gaea Landscaping, the family difference.

Inspiration: Life Lessons

The beginning of… a rollercoaster of emotions, financial stress, sacrifice, mistakes, late nights, hot days, and tears. My name is Peter Rivera, I am the President, and founder of Gaea Landscaping.

My journey began in high-school at the age of 15, when I mowed empty lots in town with my father for our landlord. Back then we were charging $20-25 per property, sometimes barely breaking even. I remember the days we got caught in the rain, mowing away with our push mower. Through high-school we did this on the weekends, and then came the day I graduated. I enrolled in community college in an effort to help my family. Many thought I stayed because I couldn’t get into a university. Nonetheless, I enrolled into a business program at FSW, committed to doing something productive with my life.

I gave school a go, but soon became bored by what I was learning. I always carried a journal in class, and wrote down all of my ideas on how to make money. Two years into school, and I vividly remember the day I walked out of my math class. I always struggled with focusing, not because i didn’t want to learn, simply because I had another vision.

I dropped out of school, and didn’t tell my parents. Two months passed and they took notice in the trend of me getting home early. They sat me down, and then came the big question. “Are you still going to school?'“ They knew the answer. Unfortunately, they became sad, and disappointed in my decision.

I knew what had to be done, and so I did exactly that. I continued on my journey. I looked for work, I advertised through social media, I knocked on doors, I put up door hangers, I shook hands, I lost money, but I learned. The time passed and I purchased my second commercial mower, and had enough work to hit 40 hours a week.

Along the way, I was blessed to have met a lot of people that helped propel our company to where it is today. One individual that had a huge impact on my business was a man in town named David Fry.

David Fry gave me one of my first landscaping projects. At the time I didn’t know the difference between cocoplum and clusia, but he pushed me to learn as much as I possibly could. In the next 3-5 months leading up to his project, I developed the knowledge to price, locate, and supply plants. To this day, Mr. Fry continues to impact my business with his positive support, and advice. His advice has kept me going in some of my toughest times, and I don’t think he realizes that.

Gaea Landscaping, has evolved into a full landscape and maintenance firm, with the ability to provide services to any size community and project. We have completed six figure projects without bank financing, and that says a lot of what we are capable of doing. We are committed to providing quality service, quality plant material, and establishing long lasting business relationships.

All the struggles we have faced have molded us into a different type of company. A company that keeps it’s word, and fully commits to every project, and property.

We may not yet be a multi million dollar firm, but we do have multi million dollar work ethic.

Our teams are committed to excellence.

We are, Gaea Landscaping.