Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Irvin Ochoa: Life of Landscaping

By Matt Solis, Editor

Irvin Ochoa never intended to be a landscaping professional, but when a friend introduced him to the trade, it became the catalyst for a new livelihood. “My partner, David Hernandez, had been in the industry for 20 years when I first met him, so he was the one who taught me most of what I know about landscaping and hardscaping,” he explains. “He had the vision and experience from the beginning, so it wasn’t long before we decided to start our own company.”

Today, as owner of D & I Landscape Inc, Irvin says the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the joy on a client’s face when their project comes together. “I believe in treating every home like it’s my own, so I make sure everything is done correctly and the customer is completely satisfied. It keeps me motivated to see how happy people are with their new outdoor spaces.”

A resident of San Jose since 2015, Irvin says his favorite parts of life in the South Bay are the diversity and community spirit. “I meet a lot of good people in San Jose and everyone has their own story, so it’s a really interesting area. The food is great, too.”

When he’s not working on his clients’ landscapes or spending time with his daughter, Ivy, Irvin dedicates most of his free time to two specific passions. “I love playing soccer and working on cars,” he details. “Soccer helps me stay active and keeps me focused, and I’ve enjoyed working on cars since I was a kid—especially classic ones.”

When asked what his life might look like if he retired tomorrow, Irvin says he would take the opportunity to see the world. “I don’t want to retire yet, but if I did, I would probably take some time to just travel around. I really like beaches and the ocean, so it would be nice to visit some new spots.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: Real Madrid CF.

Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee with milk.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Drink some coffee and read a book.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: The Fourth of July.

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: The future. The past already happened, so you can’t do anything about it.