We were lucky to catch up with Robert Araujo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Robert, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
My self-discipline comes from my parents — they’ve been my greatest teachers in life — and also from my journey as an immigrant. I was born and raised in Venezuela, but in 2017 my family and I had to leave our country due to the difficult political situation. We didn’t agree with the government’s direction, and that made it hard for us to live freely and build a future. Starting over in the United States, seeking political asylum, and rebuilding our lives from zero taught me what true discipline really means — the courage to keep moving forward, even when life forces you to begin again.
From my father, Richard Araujo, I learned the professional side of discipline: focus, ethics, education, and commitment. When I was a kid, he used to tell me, “You have to become someone in life.” I didn’t fully understand it then, but years later, when I graduated as an Industrial Engineer and saw my name on that diploma, I finally did. It wasn’t about the title — it was about everything I had to overcome to earn it. And when I came to the U.S., even though I couldn’t easily practice my career because of language and immigration challenges, I realized that being “someone in life” was not about a title — it was about character, perseverance, and integrity.
From my mother, Milagros Ochoa, I learned the emotional side of discipline: kindness, patience, and compassion. She always told me, “Do good without looking at whom.” As a young man, I used to question that — why help people who might never thank you? But now, at 32, I understand. Discipline is also about being consistent in goodness, choosing to help and love others even when it’s not easy. Because one day, life returns that same kindness when you least expect it.
So my self-discipline is built from both my roots and my journey — from my parents’ lessons and from the strength it took to start again in a new country. It’s the balance between focus and kindness, and that balance guides me every single day, both in my work and in my life.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I graduated as an Industrial Engineer in Venezuela in 2017, a moment that filled me with pride and hope for the future. I’ve always been passionate about learning and personal growth, which led me to complete several certifications in leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving. Unfortunately, due to the political and economic situation in my country, I had to leave Venezuela shortly after graduating. I came to the United States with my family, looking for a new beginning — a place where we could rebuild our dreams.
It wasn’t easy to start over in a new country, especially when I couldn’t practice my profession right away because of language barriers and the process of adapting to a new system. But that challenge became my motivation. Together with my brother, Richard Araujo, and my sister, Michelle Araujo, we decided to take all the discipline, dedication, and values our parents taught us and turn them into something tangible. That’s how GoldGreen Landscaping LLC was born.
At first, we didn’t plan to go into landscaping, but life has a way of guiding you. Our last employer owned a landscaping business, and through that experience, we learned not only the technical side of the job but also the beauty of transforming spaces. Without realizing it, we discovered a passion for creating outdoor environments that make people happy. So we took the risk, started our own company, and now, more than five years later, we’re proud to see how far we’ve come.
What I love most about this work is the creativity and teamwork behind every project. Working side by side with my brother and sister is truly special — we share the same goals, values, and vision. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a client smile and say, “I love it, great work!” That’s the reason we do what we do.
What makes GoldGreen Landscaping special is that it’s a family-owned business built on trust, respect, and care. Most of our clients are families just like us, and we understand how personal it is to let someone work around your home. We want every client to feel comfortable, valued, and confident that we treat their property as if it were our own.
Right now, we’re working on expanding our services beyond landscaping — including cleaning and pressure washing — because we want GoldGreen to represent more than just beautiful lawns. We want it to stand for dedication, quality, and heart in everything we do.
For us, every job is an opportunity to make a positive change, no matter how small. When we cut a client’s grass, install mulch, or trim their bushes, we do it with love, gratitude, and pride — because this business is not just our work, it’s our story.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I would say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been discipline, teamwork, and patience.
Discipline was the foundation — it came from my parents’ example and became my driving force. In business and in life, discipline means showing up every day, even when things get hard. It’s about staying focused on the goal, not just the reward. My advice to others is simple: start by being consistent in the small things. The big results always come from small habits done with intention.
Teamwork has also been key. Working with my brother and sister has taught me that success isn’t a solo path. We’ve learned to trust, support, and balance each other’s strengths. My advice is to surround yourself with people who share your values, not just your goals — because when challenges come, values are what keep you together.
Finally, patience has been essential. Growing a business takes time, mistakes, and lessons. At first, you want results fast, but true success is built step by step. My advice for anyone starting out is: don’t rush the process. Every challenge teaches you something. Be patient with your growth — because everything you build with patience, lasts.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Our ideal client is someone who values trust, quality, and genuine care in the work we do. At GoldGreen Landscaping, we treat every home like our own — so we truly appreciate clients who see their outdoor spaces as an important part of their family life and want to make them beautiful, comfortable, and welcoming.
Most of our clients are families, and we love that. They understand the effort and love we put into every detail, and they trust us to bring their vision to life. The ideal client for us isn’t just someone looking for a service — it’s someone looking for a connection, who wants a team that listens, understands, and works with heart.
When a client shares our belief that even small changes can make a big difference — whether it’s a clean lawn, new mulch, or fresh landscaping — that’s when the magic happens. That mutual respect and shared pride in the results are what make every project special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goldgreenlawncare.wixsite.com/my-site?fbclid=PAZnRzaAN1CIFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp1GZZbfpRL5LRRIliAG_0t7Nhu00gbWpBSyZHEqeiC3qVsS2rcyKcNjX3MA6_aem_dTgJyFUf4io5Bk9UEh2QZA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldgreen.landscapingllc?igsh=dmZzNHl5dHdlNXF5
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-araujo-b364261a7?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@robertmanaraujo
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