Chris Morales, the owner of Morales Outdoor Living, is revolutionizing the landscaping and outdoor living industry with a blend of passion, perseverance, and strategic networking. From his early days in the pool industry to establishing a renowned landscaping business, Chris’s journey is a compelling testament to how dedication and community support can drive extraordinary success.
This early exposure provided him with hands-on experience and a strong understanding of outdoor design and construction, which would serve as the foundation for his future ventures.
Though he didn’t initially set out to pursue landscaping, Chris’s work in this field led him to discover a passion for transforming outdoor spaces, eventually guiding him to establish Morales Outdoor Living.
Despite his initial enthusiasm, Chris faced considerable challenges, particularly in managing the financial aspects of his business. “Man, not realizing what overhead was and what budgeting was. I think most contractors really skip that,” he admits.
For Chris, the real struggle came with understanding and managing the financial intricacies of running a business—overhead costs, insurance, and taxes. However, once he addressed these issues and focused on building relationships with suppliers, his business began to thrive.
“Once I figured out how to run my finances, and started networking and connecting with people, establishing relationships with my suppliers—boom, that was like a bomb went off. Man, we just took off,” said Chris.
This turning point marked the beginning of a significant upward trajectory for Morales Outdoor Living.
A crucial moment in Chris’s journey involved attending the Hardscape North America (HNA) event, which proved to be a turning point during a particularly challenging period. “I went maybe about two years ago at an all-time low... and I started talking to other contractors. And realized very quickly that, you know, we’re all in the same boat,” said Chris.
At this event, Chris connected with other industry professionals, gaining valuable insights and realizing that many shared similar struggles. This experience underscored the importance of networking and learning from others in the field, which helped reinvigorate his business and provided him with new strategies for overcoming obstacles.
Looking to the future, Chris has set ambitious goals for Morales Outdoor Living. “I want to be known as the outdoor living guy, not just the landscaping, hardscape guy. That’s where we want to go,” he says.
His vision is to transform his company into a turnkey outdoor living and landscaping business, moving beyond its current focus on hardscapes. Chris aims to expand his team and capabilities to cater to a broader range of projects.
“I want to be able to get to more people, you know, because I think everybody is deserving of a beautiful outdoor living space,” he said.
By increasing his company’s capacity and diversifying its services, Chris hopes to reach a wider audience and continue delivering exceptional outdoor living environments.
One of Chris’s most notable success stories highlights how even a small project can lead to significant opportunities. After completing a modest job for a woman in a less affluent area, Chris’s work garnered attention from a CEO of a nonprofit organization.
This connection led to a high-profile project at a major resort in Pigeon Forge. “Because of that small little job... the lady read it, she called us, and we did the indoor pool. We ended up doing their outdoor pool. And this is like a once-in-a-lifetime project,” Chris reflects.
This project not only showcased his company’s capabilities but also opened doors to further high-profile opportunities, underscoring the impact of delivering quality work and building strong relationships.
Chris’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is evident in every project undertaken by Morales Outdoor Living. He attributes this success to his dedicated team, whom he fondly refers to as “unicorns.”
“My guys are fine-tuned, man. They’re unicorns. You’re just not going to find them anywhere else like these guys,” he says. This close-knit team operates with a shared passion for their work, ensuring that each project meets the highest standards.
Chris emphasizes that while perfection is the goal, they are always prepared to address any issues that arise. “Things go wrong. We’re not perfect, and things can go wrong even after the fact... but we strive for it,” he said.
This commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction remains a cornerstone of their approach.
A significant factor in Chris’s success has been his strong relationship with suppliers, particularly with Ewing Outdoor Supply. Chris praises the exceptional support he has received, noting that his contact at Ewing, Matt Feinauer, has been instrumental in his business growth.
“The way they make you seem like you’re the only one, man, that’s what’s awesome,” Chris states. Ewing’s dedication to fostering strong relationships has provided Chris with invaluable resources, including personalized support and networking opportunities.
“Matt is constantly calling me and seeing if I’m okay and asking what I need... The attention that they give me to make sure that I got everything is great,” said Chris. This level of support has been crucial in maintaining the company’s high standards and driving its continued success.
Chris’s journey from a teenage pool industry worker to a successful entrepreneur is a powerful example of how passion, perseverance, and community support can lead to extraordinary achievements.
As Morales Outdoor Living continues to grow and evolve, Chris’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction remains at the heart of his business success.
His story serves as an inspiration to others in the industry and beyond, demonstrating that with the right mindset and support, remarkable success is within reach.