I was born and raised in St. Louis, so in one sense, I didn’t really have a choice in where I started.

But I do have a choice now.

I get to choose where I live, where I raise my family, where I build my business, and where I keep putting down roots. And for me, that place is still St. Louis.

I grew up in South City and lived there until I was about 20. That part of the city will always feel like home. The neighborhoods, the people, the restaurants, the friendships: all of that shaped who I am. And the older I get, the more I appreciate this city.

One of the biggest reasons is the relationships.

Owning a business here has helped me put down roots in a way I never could have imagined. A lot of relationships start as business relationships: helping a client with their home, designing a lighting system, taking care of a maintenance issue. Over time, many of those people become friends.

That’s one of the things I love most about St. Louis. It’s a big little city.

People say that all the time, but it’s true. Around here, it’s not six degrees of separation. It’s more like two. You meet someone in Crestwood, Kirkwood, Sunset Hills, Webster, Fenton, South City, Ladue, or Chesterfield, and pretty quickly you find a connection. Maybe you know the same family. Maybe your kids go to the same school. Maybe you played in the same softball league. Maybe you both know the same restaurant owner or contractor or neighbor.

That’s just St. Louis.

I live in Crestwood now, our office is in Fenton, and our shop is over in Green Park. I probably mention those things more than I realize when I’m out meeting with clients. But that’s part of how people connect here. We care about neighborhoods, and we ask where people are from, where they live now, and what parts of town they love.

I think people here take real pride in their neighborhoods, and I like that.

As a business owner, that “big little city” feeling has shaped how I approach my work. This business has always been built on relationships. Yes, we have to run a good company: organized, profitable, professional, with a great culture for our team. But at the foundation of all of that is trust.

When someone hires us for landscape lighting in St. Louis, I don’t think of it as a one-time transaction. I think of it as the start of a long-term relationship. They may need us for installation, service, maintenance, or a future project. They may have friends or neighbors who ask who did their lighting. In a city like St. Louis, reputation follows you.

That’s why I’ve always believed in taking care of people first and trusting that the rest will follow.

Another thing I love about St. Louis is how much character there is from one neighborhood to the next. I still love going down into the city because that’s where I’m from. There’s great architecture, great food, and so many little neighborhoods with their own personality: Clayton, the Central West End, the Forest Park area.

With our work, we get to experience all kinds of places. Recently we were out in Innsbrook for a project, and even the drive out there was great: back roads, beautiful homes in remote settings, then a completely different kind of jobsite once we arrived. That variety is pretty special.

I also think St. Louis is a very underrated food city.

I love supporting local restaurants, especially small businesses run by people working hard just like we are. If I’m in the city around lunchtime, I’m looking for a local sandwich shop or deli. Gioia’s Deli, LeGrand’s Market: places like that. If I’m craving barbecue, I’m going to Adam’s Smokehouse. No question. For breakfast, I love Chris’ Pancake & Dining. For a date night, Mama’s on The Hill is always a favorite.

And for a family night, one of our go-to spots is El Agave Mexican Restaurant on Watson Road, near Crestwood and Sunset Hills. We love sitting on the patio with the kids. The people there are unbelievable: friendly, personable, always asking how things are going. That kind of experience is what makes a place feel like part of your life, not just somewhere you eat dinner.

I wish more people focused on the positives of St. Louis. The people, the neighborhoods, the parks, the schools, the restaurants, the affordability, the community: there’s a lot here to appreciate.

For me, St. Louis is home because of the people. It’s where I grew up, where I’ve built lifelong friendships, where I’m raising my family, and where I get to meet new people every day through this business.

And at the end of the day, that’s what I love most. This city gives you the chance to build real relationships, take care of people, and feel connected to something bigger than yourself.

That’s why I’m proud to call St. Louis home.