ARP Hardscape

Alex Ramirez: A Firm Foundation

For Alex Ramirez, a solid background in the hardscaping trade provided a firm foundation for a big career move. “My whole family has been in construction for years,” he reflects. “My grandpa used to build houses in Mexico. When I was 13, my family immigrated to the United States, where my dad and uncles found work with a local construction company. The company focused on hardscaping—things like concrete pavers, flagstone, bricks and outdoor kitchens. I started working with my dad when I was 15 and I’ve been in hardscaping ever since.”

While Alex wasn’t the first person in his family to lay concrete, he was the first to transition from employee to employer when he started his own business. “About 18 years into my hardscaping career, I decided to take things to the next level by getting my contractor’s license and starting my own business. At this point, I was running half of the company that I was working at, so I was already a leader. While it was a little nerve-wracking to go out on my own, I had full confidence in myself and my foundation in the industry.”

Today, as owner of ARP Hardscape, Alex says his favorite part of his job is interacting with people. “I enjoy talking with my clients, giving them ideas for their projects and earning their trust. It’s a privilege to work on someone’s home, which is why I always try to provide the best possible service and workmanship.”

A resident of San Leandro, Alex spends most of his time outside of work with his wife, Rosie, and their four children. “All my kids are involved in sports, so we like going to their games, whether it’s my son playing football or my daughter playing basketball,” he says. “We also enjoy going out to breakfast on the weekends and taking family vacations here and there.”

In regard to a professional philosophy, Alex espouses the importance of honesty. “As a contractor, I feel like I always need to be honest and upfront with people,” he explains. “Some contractors make promises they can’t keep and bite off more than they can chew. Things get complicated fast when you take on a job that you aren’t really equipped to handle. That’s why I have no problem telling someone if I can’t do a job and referring them elsewhere. It’s better for everyone to just be honest about it.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Alex says he’d take a long vacation. “I’ve never really thought about retiring, but I suppose if I did, I would probably take a trip to Mexico City. I grew up there, so I always enjoy going back and reconnecting with my roots.”

ASK ME ANYTHING!

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: Elio’s Family Restaurant in San Leandro.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Italy.

Q: What’s your favorite kind of food?
A: Italian food. My favorite meal is Alfredo pasta.

Q: What’s your favorite family tradition?
A: After Thanksgiving, we bring home a Christmas tree and decorate it. My wife has a special CD that she always plays and it’s just a neat way to start the Christmas season.