So wrote Marizco Landscape Management President/CEO Pierre Marizco (pictured here with best friend, Sierra) in the June 2008 Green Scene article “Greening Your World,” which addressed sustainable and efficient landscaping options. Since its founding in 2004, his company has grown to more than 55 employees servicing clients in five counties and was named Best Green Business in last year’s NorthBay biz BEST Of the North Bay Readers Poll.
“As a landscape contractor spread over five counties, I have the ability to influence many people and many acres of land,” he says, “and as an environmental steward, I have the capability to positively affect our environment. I enjoy the outdoors too much not to want to care for it. Care for your land, and it will care for you!”
Describe your dream house.
It would be a small ranch house on acreage along one of our beautiful Sonoma County backroads, where the only noise you hear are roosters and crickets—just like how I grew up.
How many brothers and sisters do you have? How has your birth order affected you?
Even though there are four years between me and my older my sister, and another four years separate me from my younger brother, being in the middle didn’t really gain me any advantages—at least none that I can think of (but they might beg to differ). What it did bring me was more work. I guess being the first boy in the family, coupled with the rigid work ethic from both my parents and combined with the never-ending projects found on a small ranch brewed the perfect recipe for seemingly never-ending hard work. It wasn’t until years later that I would appreciate the work ethic my parents instilled. You tend to appreciate everything more when you earn it through your own blood, sweat and tears.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Purchasing a house right out of high school as I was in a hurry to fly from the coop (for nonsense reasons, but I was a teenager who knew everything). What I didn’t realize was, I’d need to work three jobs just to make the payment, and since I was also attending SRCJ, I was really never home to enjoy it. Thankfully, it only took me one year to figure out that I could sell it, and the gains would pay my way through three years at Cal Poly SLO.
What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
Football in HD, something baking in the oven and stormy winters…that’s a beautiful combination.
What book has had the most impact on your life and why?
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. The title says it all.
If you could have personally witnessed one event in history, what would you want to have seen?
Landing on the moon.
Did you ever cheat in school? Describe the situation.
It wasn’t really cheating, but in high school geometry, I went to ask my severely authoritarian teacher a question and, as I approached his desk, I saw a stack of newly printed copies of the upcoming midterm. So as I picked up my assignment, I also slipped a copy of the test into my hand. Of course, as soon as I returned to my seat, my heart was racing so fast the only thing I wanted to do was take it back, but it was too late. I was one of the most popular kids during lunch, and it felt great…until fifth period, when the door opened and in he walked. My 15 minutes of fame was literal. The sad thing is, I think I had an A in the class—but that quickly changed.
What person do you admire most and why?
My mother, absolutely. I’m not sure how she managed to move from a foreign country to seek a life of opportunities, learn a new language, raise three children nearly single-handedly, work a full-time job (mostly graveyard shifts), design and create amazing wedding dresses (as a hobby/added income) and still find time to be there whenever I needed her.
What’s your favorite kind of candy?
Reese’s, or any dark chocolate. Or feel free to send me a can of Almond Roca.
Describe one of your happiest life moments.
Dancing through the streets of Times Square with our family angel (my niece Blanca, who was born with hydrocephalus) 20 years after doctors said she wouldn’t be able to walk. From baby to adult, her attitude has always been remarkable. I can only compare her to an angel in how she carries herself—always with a smile on her face—how she minimizes her troubles, and how she’s positively affected our family. She is an inspiration.
What’s one question you’re asking yourself these days?
When can we go sit on a warm, white-sanded beach and watch the turquoise waves crash while holding a drink with an umbrella in it?
