Meet a Design/Build Revolutionary: Charles R. Schaul Jr.

Meet a Design/Build Revolutionary:
Charles R. Schaul Jr.

Profile: Charles R. Schaul Jr., Founder, Aridscape Concepts, Inc., Scottsdale, AZ

Year in Landscape Business: 10

Focus: Primary focus is Landscape Design/Build for custom homes and residential developments in a very competitive market. Also provides landscape maintenance services. Aridscape works with builders in the new home construction market, as well as homeowners for landscape renovation projects.

Design/Build Revolutionary since: Since 2003

Distinctions: This award-winning company skyrocketed in growth from $300,000 in 1999 to nearly $11 million in 2006 by working with high-end residential developers in the booming Phoenix new home market. In one 8-month period, Aridscape’s employees grew from 43 to 160, and the number of vehicles grew from 13 to 39. AridScape also operates a branch office in Park City Utah serving a similar client base.

Biggest Challenge: The current economy in Phoenix. “It’s brutal right now,” says Schaul. Aridscape has been retooling since the housing market suddenly slowed in 2006. Schaul dramatically redesigned the company to operate without mid-level managers, designers and others. The stripped-down company now has people focused on lean but efficient operations, and plans to employ only around 65 people at peak season.

Changes in Business since attending Kinman Institute:

“I was surprised and glad to see others at the course who take what we do seriously and professionally. Mine is a construction-based company in a competitive market – a bit different – however, I was able to apply some of the things the Kinmans teach right away. Our market is huge so it is hard to get clients to drive 40+ miles to visit our design center, but we try to get them to visit at least once. We have a new two-acre facility with a design center and conference room so we can make presentations artistically and professionally.”
“One thing I picked up right away was that we need to treat ourselves like the professionals we are, like doctors or lawyers. Professionals dictate their own schedules. As professionals, we need to run our own companies, not have them run us. Client management is a large part of the process.”
“The Kinman Institute was eye-opening. They show how being a professional can be done.”

2009 Destinations: Salt Lake City, Utah & Boulder, Colorado

Loves to do:

“I love snow skiing and go to Utah as often as I can to ski there, and I’m also an aggressive mountain biker” Schaul says. He also loves to fly fish whenever he gets the chance.