River City Six – Christine Meza

Meet Christine Meza, co-owner of Meza Gardens and Design (www.mezagardensanddesign.com).

Tell us a little about your business. – Meza Gardens and Design is a female- and minority-owned landscape design-build company. Drawing on a combined 40 years of experience, we can handle the complex projects while small enough to provide personalized service. We are dedicated to creating your ideal, timeless landscape.

How did you get started in the business? – I have a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University. Right after college, I started working in the landscape industry in Omaha. I have been designing and managing landscapes in the area for over 20 years.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The seasonal component of the landscaping industry forces you to have great time management and appropriate systems in place.

Tell us a little about your family. – My husband Marcelino and I are co-owners of Meza Gardens and Design. We have been married 10 years in September. We have an eight-year-old daughter who keeps us busy outside of work.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – After the birth of our daughter, time management suddenly took on a different meaning. Learning how to create a healthy work, life, and play balance was important.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off – Spending quality time with family is the priority on a day off. During quiet time at night, I also enjoy reading. 

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I am a 1st Dan Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu.

Who inspires you? – My parents are my role models and inspire me to be like them. They have worked hard for everything and are always willing to lend a helping hand. They raised three daughters and instilled in us to have a good work ethic, be dependable, honest, and be responsible for our actions.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Every morning you have two choices: Continue to sleep with dreams or wake up and chase your dreams.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Resourceful.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Try Everything” by Shakira. I like the message that even when you are knocked down, you must get up and try again.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Stop time so I can complete more items in a day.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I love researching and investigating almost anything from genealogy to the history of our home. I enjoy gathering the information and piecing everything together to solve the mystery.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Private investigator.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Any cozy mystery book.

What is your favorite movie? – My sister and I love to watch Dirty Dancing. I will stop and watch it every time I come across it on TV.

What is your favorite TV show? – This Is Us and Good Girls.