​In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, TNLA's Kim Cabrera, Membership & Marketing Manager, sat down with Carmelo Orellano with Estructura LLC to talk about his journey within the Industry, overcoming challenges as a first-time business owner, and his invaluable connections through TNLA.

TNLA Staff, Kim Cabrera- TNLA’s Membership & Marketing Manager sat down with Jerry Maldonado with Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping to talk about industry Success and his advice to Hispanic Entrepreneurs wanting to get into the landscaping industry.

Kim Cabrera, Gerente de Membresía y Marketing de TNLA, se reunió con Jerry Maldonado de Vivero y Paisajismo Maldonado para hablar sobre el éxito en la industria y su consejo para los emprendedores hispanos que quieren ingresar en este sector.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about how you got started in the landscaping industry? 
P: ¿Puedes contarnos un poco sobre cómo comenzaste en la industria del paisajismo?
Jerry:
My father had a nursery and landscape company with his brothers. When they went their separate ways, he started a business with me and my two brothers after high school. His mantra was, “Don’t work to make someone else rich—work for yourself.”
Mi padre tenía una empresa de vivero y paisajismo con sus hermanos. Cuando se separaron, comenzó un negocio con mis dos hermanos y conmigo después de la secundaria. Su mantra era: “No trabajes para enriquecer a otro, trabaja para ti mismo.”
Q: What challenges did you face when starting your business?
P: ¿Qué desafíos enfrentaste al comenzar tu negocio?
Jerry:
We were just kids with little experience and no money. We started by doing odd jobs and slowly learned. Attending TNLA and NALP conventions helped, but there were many tough days. Luckily, our father didn’t let us quit. His humble dream was for my brothers and me to each have our own crews, and now we’ve achieved that and more.
Éramos solo niños con poca experiencia y sin dinero. Comenzamos haciendo trabajos ocasionales y aprendimos lentamente. Asistir a convenciones de TNLA y NALP ayudó, pero hubo días difíciles. Afortunadamente, nuestro padre no nos dejó rendirnos. Su sueño era que mis hermanos y yo tuviéramos nuestros propios equipos, y ahora hemos logrado eso y más.
Q: How has your cultural background influenced your approach to leadership?
P: ¿Cómo ha influido tu cultura en tu enfoque hacia el liderazgo?
Jerry:
At first, it was a hindrance. My father’s strict, hands-on management approach limited growth. Over time, through education and personal development, we shifted to a more employee-centric model. Now, our people are the key to our success. We still rely on some of my father’s lessons, but we’ve evolved as a company.
Al principio, fue un obstáculo. El enfoque estricto y práctico de mi padre limitó el crecimiento. Con el tiempo, a través de la educación y el desarrollo personal, cambiamos a un modelo más centrado en el empleado. Ahora, nuestra gente es clave para nuestro éxito. Aún dependemos de algunas lecciones de mi padre, pero hemos evolucionado como empresa.
Q: What role has the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) played in your success?
P: ¿Qué papel ha jugado la Asociación de Viveros y Paisajismo de Texas (TNLA) en tu éxito?
Jerry:
TNLA has been a tremendous resource. We’ve attended conventions and classes and received certifications that helped us build a stronger company. Associations like TNLA are essential for new and growing businesses. Education and networking opportunities have been crucial to our journey.
TNLA ha sido un recurso enorme. Hemos asistido a convenciones, clases y recibido certificaciones que nos ayudaron a construir una empresa más sólida. Asociaciones como TNLA son esenciales para negocios nuevos y en crecimiento. Las oportunidades educativas y de networking han sido cruciales en nuestro camino
Q: What advice would you give to other Hispanic entrepreneurs?
P: ¿Qué consejo le darías a otros emprendedores hispanos?
Jerry:
Count the costs! Starting a business requires time, patience, hard work, and sacrifice. If you’re unwilling to put in the effort, stay in your current job. Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, but for those willing to work, it’s incredibly rewarding.
¡Cuenta los costos! Iniciar un negocio requiere tiempo, paciencia, trabajo duro y sacrificio. Si no estás dispuesto a esforzarte, quédate en tu trabajo actual. El emprendimiento no es para todos, pero para quienes están dispuestos a trabajar, es increíblemente gratificante.
Q: How can the industry better support diversity and inclusion for Hispanic business owner?
P: ¿Cómo puede la industria apoyar mejor la diversidad y la inclusión para los dueños de negocios hispanos?
Jerry:
The focus should be on supporting frontline workers, most of whom are Hispanic. Providing more training in Spanish and leadership courses can help them advance into leadership roles and grow their careers within the industry.
El enfoque debería estar en apoyar a los trabajadores de primera línea, la mayoría de los cuales son hispanos. Proporcionar más capacitación en español y cursos de liderazgo puede ayudarles a avanzar a roles de liderazgo y crecer en sus carreras dentro de la industria.
Q: What are your future goals for the business?
P: ¿Cuáles son tus metas futuras para el negocio?
Jerry:
We aim to continue growing our culture and developing leaders within the company while refining our systems to maintain high-quality service.
Buscamos seguir creciendo nuestra cultura y desarrollar líderes dentro de la empresa, al mismo tiempo que refinamos nuestros sistemas para mantener un servicio de alta calidad.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey or your experience in the industry?
P: ¿Hay algo más que te gustaría compartir sobre tu trayectoria o experiencia en la industria?
Jerry:
The landscaping industry offers opportunities for anyone ready to work hard to succeed. Despite my father's elementary education and my brothers and me having only a high school education, we’ve built an organization of over 600 professionals driven by a passion for creating something meaningful. Don’t let fear or hard work stand in the way of your success!
La industria del paisajismo ofrece oportunidades para cualquier persona dispuesta a esforzarse por tener éxito. A pesar de que mi padre solo tenía educación primaria y mis hermanos y yo solo secundaria, hemos construido una organización de más de 600 profesionales impulsados por una pasión por crear algo significativo. ¡No dejes que el miedo o el trabajo duro se interpongan en tu camino hacia el éxito!
Jerry Maldonado’s story is a true example of dedication, growth, and embracing cultural heritage. His journey highlights the power of perseverance and the importance of supporting future industry leaders. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re proud to share the success of Maldonado Nursery & Landscaping, a TNLA Member, and their contributions to the Texas green industry.
La historia de Jerry Maldonado es un verdadero ejemplo de dedicación, crecimiento y la aceptación de la herencia cultural. Su trayectoria resalta el poder de la perseverancia y la importancia de apoyar a los futuros líderes en la industria. Mientras celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, nos enorgullece compartir el éxito de Vivero y Paisajismo Maldonado, miembro de TNLA, y sus contribuciones a la industria verde de Texas.
To become a member of TNLA or for more information, please visit: https://www.tnlaonline.org/membership.html or reach out to  Sarah Sanchez, TNLA Membership Manager, at [email protected]
Para unirse a TNLA, visite: https://www.tnlaonline.org/membership.html o comuníquese directamente con Sarah Sanchez, Manager de Membresía de TNLA, a [email protected] para más información.  Hablamos español.

​Jay White, a TNLA Member & owner of Texas Gardener Magazine, shares his successful marketing strategies and social media journey in a discussion with TNLA's Membership & Marketing Manager, Kim Cabrera. He highlights how TNLA's support has been instrumental in growing his business and reaching a wider audience in the horticulture industry.

​In this insightful video, Bobby shares his remarkable journey from landscape architect to TNLA Chair. He delves into the invaluable knowledge he has gained through his board experience, emphasizing the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive group within TNLA. Bobby also reflects on his hands-on learning experiences, particularly his deeper understanding of "boots on the ground" work, which was new territory for him as a landscape architect.

Additionally, he discusses TNLA's impactful water advocacy efforts with the San Antonio Water System, showcasing the organization's commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. He highlights the significant benefits of attending the Nursery/Landscape EXPO tradeshow, where he had the opportunity to stay updated on the latest plant trends, discover innovative products, and connect with industry professionals. 

Looking ahead, Bobby shares his ambitious plans for his term as chair, focusing on enhancing member engagement, promoting sustainable practices, and continuing to advocate for the industry at various levels. His vision and dedication promise to drive TNLA toward new heights of success and innovation, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of the horticulture and landscape industry.

​In a recent interview, Amy Graham, President and CEO of TNLA, sat down with Rachelle Kemp TCLP, TMCNP, the current chair on the board of directors of TNLA, to discuss her memorable experiences during these past years as chair and set a visionary path for TNLA, inspiring members to embrace change and foster community growth.

​We spoke with Kevin, the immediate past chair, for our latest WFY blog post before he steps down from the TNLA board of directors. He shares insights on his incredible 10-year journey, the opportunities TNLA has provided, and the importance of member involvement.