Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Macias.
Hi Aaron, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have worked several different jobs, from call centers and landscaping, to youth pastor and bus driving. I enjoyed these on different levels, but with a growing family, I knew I had to find something different. I enjoy the hands-on aspect of landscape lighting and also the creativity that it allows me to have. So, in 2019, I started Immaculate Lightscapes. From my time working for different landscape companies, I knew that I would be able to offer my services at a much lower cost than others. It began as a side hustle, which was difficult to run out of our apartment, but still doable. But it gave us more than the other jobs did, especially the freedom to have more family time.
The pandemic was tough on the business, but I made the decision to go full-time with Immaculate Lightscapes once we bought our first house in 2021. So that March, I started devoting my time to the business 24/7. It’s been a “learn as you go” experience, but I’m thankful for it. I want to grow the business more as I continue to serve the San Antonio community.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It definitely has not been all easy. COVID hit me hard. 2019 was a great first year as far as a side hustle goes, but once the pandemic started, nobody wanted to invest in this kind of service. I’ve had no training in starting a business, so it was hard sometimes to know how to keep going. But thankfully I have other family members who have started their own businesses, such as wedding photographers and realtors. They have been a help to me when things get slow. There have been many hills and valleys along the way, but all of them are learning opportunities, and I’ve grown with each lesson.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Not only do I install landscape lights, I also design lightscapes that are custom to my clients homes. I enjoy being able to envision which lights, perfectly placed, could maximize the home’s beauty. I also install string cafe lights and Christmas lights. I once worked for a company that charged more than double what I do for the same fixtures. They catered to the ultra-wealthy, but I wanted to bring this “luxury” service to any homeowner. I enjoy installing lights at million-dollar homes, but I also love seeing someone who lives in a more modest house being able to see their home brought to life at night. Customer service is essential to me, and I do my best to meet and exceed my customers’ needs.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Well, I can’t say I believe in luck. I trust God for everything. What some may call luck, I call providence and God’s provision. He has been good to me.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies depending on what the customer needs, but I’ve done jobs ranging from a few hundred to 10 thousand dollars.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.immaculatelightscapes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immaculatelightscapes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/immaculatelightscapes
Image Credits
Aaron Macias
