Today we’d like to introduce you to Maritza and Alfredo Ruiz.
Hi Maritza and Alfredo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Wow, our hearts skipped a beat with this question. I read this question out loud and for a brief second, chapters of our lives flashed before my eyes. I guess I have never really been asked this question before. Here we go….. Alfredo and I were born on the same day, April, 6, 1985. He was born at Bayshore Hospital in Pasadena, TX. I was born at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights in Houston, TX; and yes, I get reminded all time how much older “hours” he is than me! We attended South Houston High School together where we only knew each other through mutual friends. Fast forward five years and a cheap pickup line later, I was programming my cellphone number in his Nextel. Almost 2 years later, while pretending to study at Starbucks (sorry dad!), I sat on his bedroom floor flipping through my nursing mid-term notes. I looked up at him and asked him to marry me. He muted our favorite TV series (S.V.U) and looked over at me and said “sounds good”! With less than $1000 in our accounts, we got married on December 27, 2008, at the JP and partied all night long at my parent’s house. Luckily, my parents allowed us to live in my old, childhood home so we could save more.
Over the years, I continued to work and advance my nursing career full-time. Alfredo had completed his Process Technology Associates Degree from San Jacinto College right before we got married. Therefore, he completed most of the chores around the house. In 2011, while living my dream, Alfredo began to pursue his dream – “to be my own boss”. After countless hours of research, sleeping in his car (so that he would not miss inspectors) after working nights, and recovering from brain surgery (the same year ), Alfredo built his first house. This house led to multiple more real estate investments, however, not financially stable enough to quit his full-time job. Sadly, his dreams were put on the “back burner” for a couple more years.
Our lives would forever change on our 34th birthday. We had planned to go to Las Vegas; but, I woke up one morning with the brightest idea and decided that I wanted a beautiful landscaped yard instead. I convinced my brother and sister-in-law and they agreed to help. After 6, 8-hr days out in the yard and 10 yards of sand/stone, I finally had my beautiful oasis and an opportunity we could not turn down.
It must have been my 8th time in 2 days to the local plant nursery. The same plant and landscaping nursery I had been to with my mom since a child. I ran into the owner; and after chatting about our lives for a while, he asked me if my husband and I would be interested in purchasing the business. I didn’t think much of it and told him that my husband would be in contact. After 18-months of conversations, we purchased our 1st business and re-named it “Everlasting Earth (E2): plant and landscaping nursery.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
In hindsight, this question makes me smile. No, it has not been a smooth road, FAR from it. However, because of our obstacles, it has lead us to remain humble, grateful, and appreciate life. NO regrets.
Eighteen months seemed forever to be in contact/negotiations. However, we had to sell a couple of things before being financially ready for this adventure that ALMOST didn’t happen.
I think I must have peed on 6 pregnancy tests, including the one where Alfredo woke me up before his 4am shift to “pee again to double-check”. Surprise! You’re pregnant! Although not planned, we were excited to welcome our first child. At 24 weeks pregnant, half of my face became paralyzed. I immediately began treatment for Bell’s Palsy and dealt with symptoms. A couple of days later, I began having numbness/tingling in my feet, started to walk funny, and felt my heart racing. As nurses, we make the worst patients. I ignored my symptoms for a couple of more days and decided it was time to go to the hospital when I could barely walk. I checked in the ER alone due to COVID policy and was later diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) – a rare condition where your own immune system attacks your nerves causing weakness and paralysis. I was transferred to the Texas Medical Center where I remained alone in my hospital room for a week-no visitors. After 10 weeks of physical therapy and begging my OB doctor to release me, I was cleared to go back to work. However, only to find out that I would be taken out 1 week later due to COVID. I tested COVID positive and spent the next 14 days praying my little one would be ok. The morning I went into labor, we arrived at the hospital excited to meet our little girl. I had my husband by my side. What more could I ask for? After being symptom-free for 2 weeks, I tested positive again. My husband was sent home and yet again, I was alone to deliver our little girl. Luckily, at the moment of pushing her out, my husband was able to watch via FaceTime for a couple of minutes. Two days later, Catalina Ruiz met her daddy.
We continued with legal paperwork, contracts, and in search for equipment while managing a newborn and my residual symptoms from GBS. Then, 4-months later, we purchased our business in the middle of a COVID pandemic and an infant. We celebrated that night, the 3 musketeers together, to new beginnings.
Just 3 short months later, the worst freeze in 100 years hit Houston. I had worked the day before at the hospital and was required to stay just before my shift ended. We were on lockdown – for 4 days. Two days before, we worked hard to cover/store what we could at the plant nursery and at home. We were not prepared. I don’t think anyone was. Meanwhile, Alfredo lost power at home with a 7-month-old and 2 large mastiff dogs. It hit below 30 degrees in the house and a fireplace was not enough. Two days later, my husband took the chance and drove to grandma’s house where power had been restored. A hot shower had never felt so good. As temperatures rose, things began breaking. We had two pipes at home and at the nursery burst as well as structural damage. And did I mention, that this all took place while attempting to obtain our certificate of occupancy at the business. Failing inspection meant that you were shut down for business. Yeah, we didn’t know we needed one of those.
It took me a week to go back to the nursery. I cried for days. I was scared to face all of the damage. We lost more than 60% of our inventory (even the stuff we stored in the greenhouse/garage). It was terrible, not to mention the clean-up that needed to be done. It must have taken us more than 2 months to fully recover. With spirits high, we remained open and excused ourselves with our customers regarding the mess/lack of inventory.
Once recovered, inventory started rolling in and so did the demand. I stressed that we would not be able to keep up. Day in and day out, the 3 of us ( and our team) were up and out the door by 5:45am to receive inventory. Catalina, bundled in her San Marcos blanket, supervised and inspected from her stroller parked 20ft away. Inspector C was born! She now inspects all of our inventory and gives the “final stamp of approval”.
Each day is faced with a new challenge: equipment failures, logistics, day-to-day operations, no babysitter, working two jobs, sick staff due to COVID, and “bring Catalina to work day”. However, putting a smile on a customer’s face supersedes any of these obstacles.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I started my healthcare career in 2006 as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA). Since then, I have obtained my Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). I specialized in emergency medicine and work as a Nurse Practitioner at the same hospital I was born in. Funny how things come back full circle. I love my nursing career and my ability to heal. I feel like it runs in my blood, a true healer. Alfredo received his associate’s degree from San Jacinto College in Process Technology (PT). After 12 years as a chemical board operator, he resigned to run Everlasting Earth full time. I’m so proud of him for taking such a risk to follow his passion.
We operate Everlasting Earth as a husband and wife team. When we first took over, the nursery needed A LOT of work which we expected. There was a lack of variety in all aspects of the nursery. It was a lot of the “same stuff”. We wanted to create a one-stop-shop for your landscaping oasis. Over the past year and a half, we have worked really hard to bring in new things, vendors, and even added water features. We just launched a new website that includes a landscape project design feature where we work one-on-one with you to bring your landscape ideas to life! We will even check you out from your car with our mobile processing system. Our team is knowledgeable and is currently working on certifications through the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA). Our goal is to continue to provide you with the tools and resources in creating a beautiful and relaxing space for you to feel happy and at peace. We are just getting started!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
We believe success is NOT materialistic. For us, success is defined by finding your purpose in life, learning from your failures, being grateful, teaching/learning, and growing with the people you surround yourself with.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.everlastingearthtx.com
- Instagram: @everlasting_earthtx
