April 2022 Contractor of the Month is: Zenscapes

How did you get into the landscape lighting business?

I am a very creative person that has always been fascinated by lighting. As a musician, I was always experimenting with different ways to light up a stage or create a mood in the room that we were performing in. I have worked on some of the biggest ventures from NYC to Miami Beach. I truly became ''addicted to light". When I bought my first house I started using my lighting techniques for my own home and before long I was lighting up other homes in my neighborhood. That's how Zenscapes was started.

What percentage of your business is landscape lighting/what other services do you provide (ie: landscaping, irrigation, electrical…)?

When I started Zenscapes in 2007 I was offering both landscape and lighting design. I realized early on that as much as I liked doing landscapes, the lighting aspect was truly where my passion is. I then transitioned to lighting design only.

How long have you been installing landscape lighting?

I have been installing outdoor lighting for over 20 years and have never looked back.

What AMP products do you prefer to use? Which fixtures are your favorite?

My favorite AMP® products are the AMP® ControlPro™ 300 LED Spotlight , AMP® ControlPro™ 500 LED Spotlight , AMP® ControlPro™ 800 LED Spotlight all dimmable. I also like the AMP® EcoPro MR16 Spotlight (Lamp-Ready) and the AMP® MagnumPro™ Path & Area Light (Lamp-Ready).

What tips or tricks have you learned that have benefitted your work from a design/installation perspective?

I have found that a lot of times "less is more". You don't need to have a ton of lights to illuminate your home in an elegant way. Trees are also very important, by lighting up trees around your home it gives your house a much broader view.

Tell me about your sales process. How do you find your customers? What is your sales process? Do you use sales tools such as a free demo…?

I have been known for not having a pushy sales approach. I tell people to start small if they are a little hesitant, and we can always add more. My customers really like that, it makes them feel comfortable moving forward. A lot of my business is from word of mouth, referrals, as well as Google Ads, Thumbtack etc.

Where do you find inspiration for your lighting designs?

Whether I am at a restaurant, hotel, or venue, I am always looking for new ideas and inspiration.

What do you feel is the most personally rewarding part of installing a lighting system for a client?

The customer's reaction when they see it light up for the first time is why I do what I do.

Tell us a little bit about you personally: What do you like to do outside of work? What are your hobbies?

I am a musician, songwriter, and producer. I also play several instruments .