How to have the nicest lawn on the block

Anthony Garduno has had a green thumb since he was 10 years old. Now, 25 years later, he’s the owner and operator of his own landscaping business, Sparkling City Landscaping and Design.
The idea to start his own business sprouted several years ago when Garduno reached a turning point in his career. Having spent 15-20 years working in sales while doing landscape work on the side, he decided it was time for a change. 
“What motivated me was seeing all my friends self-employed,” he said “It inspired me to start a new chapter in my life.” 
The business first began in 2011 with lawn mowing services and pressure washing. Later, Garduno added lawn maintenance and then hardscaping, incorporating non-living materials such as wood, stone and concrete into the outdoor design. That includes fencing, retaining walls, concrete and electrical work as well as painting patios and driveways.
“We install fans and design outdoor lighting and create waterfalls,” said Garduno, who takes great pleasure watching his clients’ reactions after seeing his handiwork. “It's such a great feeling after we've completed a landscaping project to see the surprise and happiness on the customer's face. Not just that, but to know that we helped to add value to the customer's home.”
A Corpus Christi native, Garduno spent a few years in Nashville, Tennessee, where he learned landscaping techniques from other experts in the field. He surrounded himself with successful and happy people who were running their own businesses. When he returned to the Texas Gulf Coast to spend more time with his family, he started his own company, named, obviously for his beloved hometown: the Sparkling City by the Sea. 
Garduno still keeps in touch with his landscaping colleagues from Tennessee to exchange design ideas and techniques. 
“I try to learn as many tricks of the trade as I can to improve myself and offer a better product for the customer,” he said.
In the past five years, Sparkling City Landscaping and Design has expanded from one worker to a crew of six full-time and nine part-time employees. Years from now, Garduno hopes to increase his staff, add more work trucks and eventually move to a bigger space.
“We are also hoping to establish a larger client base with builders, realtors and contractors to help landscape their residential and commercial properties,” he said.
Sparkling City Landscaping and Design services the Coastal Bend, including anything within a 100-mile radius of Corpus Christi.
“Customers can expect quality work and competitive prices,” Garduno said. “We guarantee our landscape work (for) three months, and retaining walls are guaranteed for one year.” 
Garduno and his crew never leave a project unless the client is satisfied.  
“Because if they're not happy, we're not happy,” he said. “That's our motto. We want to help our clients design their dream garden and create a space for them that lets them feel comfort and relaxation when they come home at the end of the day. Making our customer's house or property the nicest one on the street is our goal.”

Sparkling City Landscape and Design is located at 6429 Crosstown Expressway #B104. For more information, call (361) 400-2925 or visit the company’s Facebook page by searching for Sparkling City Landscaping and Pressure Washing.