Meet Chris Ansell, the owner of Deluxe Landscape Design.
Tell us a little about your business. – Deluxe Landscape Design (deluxelandscapedesign.com) offers a wide range of services for lawn care and landscaping, including seeding, sod, fertilization, aeration, mowing, trimming, mulching, retaining walls, and even holiday lighting! Our highly trained crew is made up of experienced, motivated, and talented individuals who all keep our motto of “Quality is Always Important!” at the forefront of their work.
How did you get started in the business? – I started Deluxe Landscape Design at the age of 17 in 2002. I always wanted to work for myself, and I was really good at mowing. I actually learned how to walk with a toy lawn mower!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – At the beginning, it was hard to secure enough capital to get started, but I got it done. Today, hiring can be a challenge. Finding someone with good work ethic isn’t the same as it used to be.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Turning the corner into real estate investment.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife and I have two kids—a 14-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The passing of my mother in January 2017, followed by the birth of my daughter in March of 2018.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Playing golf or going on a nature walk to fi nd a nice, quiet place to meditate.
Who inspires you? – My kung fu instructor; Clif Poling, the owner of Best Lawns—he taught me a lot when I worked for him; and John Hoich, a mentor figure to me, author of From the Ground Up: It’s Not Just Business!, and founder of the John L. Hoich Center for Recovery in Omaha.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “Trust God, all others pay cash.”
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Caring.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – To take away people’s pain.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Public speaking. I’ve actually spoke in front of groups over 100 multiple times.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I donate to the Unity of Omaha Church. I also founded the Omaha Awakening Center which offers meditation classes, life coaching, energy healing, holistic services, and more. It’s not a nonprofit, but it operates like one. All of the money goes right back into the center to bring more healing to others. My inspiration for the center was my mother who was a massage therapist and reiki master.
What is your favorite TV show? – The Sopranos.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Olive Garden.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – My father, who recently passed away in 2020 from pancreatic cancer.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 225-6600; sales@deluxelandscapedesign.com; deluxelandscapedesign.com.