Meet Adrian Cortez Perez | Entrepreneur & Landscaping contractor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adrian Cortez Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrian, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am a husband and soon-to-be father, an entrepreneur, and a practicing Catholic dedicated to making a positive impact in my community. I live by a model rooted in faith; I believe that anything is possible with God’s guidance.
Early on in life I was taught that nothing in life is simply handed to you; you must work hard and earn your success. My journey led me to pursue higher education at GCU and graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in business management, which opened doors and the opportunity to work for two extraordinary companies (Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Carvana). There, I learned valuable lessons about company culture and how it impacts both customers and employees. While I am grateful for those experiences, I soon realized that the corporate life wasn’t for me. I found sitting behind a desk and working on a computer for 10 hours a day, was unfulfilling.

Till this day I vividly recall one of my professors emphasizing. It’s not about what you know, but who you know. I am fortunate to have relatives and trusted friends in the industry with over 10, and some with up to 18 years of experience in the construction landscape. That’s where I saw an opportunity and founded what today is known as Desert Legion LLC. Desert Legion started as a mowing / Junk removal company. One year later we made the transition to design, hardscape and landscape. At Desert Legion we specialize in landscape construction and transforming outdoor living spaces while upholding the highest standards of craftsmanship and professionalism. We understand that our customers’ outdoor living spaces are an extension of their home and lifestyle. Our goal is to create beautiful, modern, and functional living spaces tailored to our customers’ unique needs. Whether they are looking for luxury landscaping or minimalistic designs, we have them covered.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Outsiders might not realize that Desert Legion is more than just about creating beautiful outdoor spaces. Our true focus is on building long-lasting relationships grounded in honesty, quality, and integrity. We aim to develop connections that go beyond simply being another client. We want our clients to feel like part of the Desert Legion family. As a family-owned and family-operated business, we prioritize taking care of our clients like they are family. This commitment to genuine relationships and integrity is what sets us apart from many competitors.

For me, family and time are the most valuable things in my life. I believe it is important to spend both wisely, because once they pass, they can never be regained. For this reason choose to become a landscape contractor. A carrier that offers me a sense of freedom. Unlike a traditional job with a strict schedule or fixed salary, this career provides the flexibility to arrange my work around my needs. It allows me to work with my family, support their financial growth, and serve my community. As I am preparing to become a father, I want to be present for my children, dropping them off and picking them up from school, being involved in their extracurricular activities, and participating in field trips. These are experiences I didn’t have growing up because my parents worked long hours and often had side jobs just to put food on the table. I come from a low-income family. My parents migrated to this country with nothing, sacrificing and leaving everything behind in their home country, all in pursuit of a better life. For many years, they worked as manual laborers. In the late 90s, they earned only $97 per week, working 50-60 hours a week. We moved from state to state until we found the right opportunity in Arizona. I will never forget my roots and where I come from, but I am determined not to let that define my future. I am working toward my own dreams, not for the aspirations of others, with God at the center of everything I do.

Starting Desert Legion was not easy. In a way, it felt like I was throwing away all four years of college. I had spent countless late nights studying, and I was ready to leave all that behind to pursue my dream of starting a landscaping company. The criticism was tough, especially from close relatives and friends. I clearly remember someone saying, “Oh, you’re just like any other Mexican who owns a landscaping company.”

The first lesson I learned from this experience is not to tell everyone about your goals, because they often won’t understand your vision. Instead, I let my success speak for itself. This journey taught me to stay focused, believe in my vision, and prove doubters wrong through hard work and perseverance.

The second lesson I’ve learned is that life requires taking risks. While starting and growing a successful business always involves some degree of uncertainty, I consider myself a strategic risk-taker. I tend to do thorough research before making decisions, focusing on the bigger picture and seeking the best possible outcome rather than acting impulsively. Taking risks has helped me build character and foster personal growth. It has also led to financial setbacks, but the most important lesson I’ve learned is that, regardless of how scary or uncertain a situation may seem, trusting God’s guidance is what truly matters. No matter the outcome, I must be at peace with my decisions, trusting that God will provide. Ultimately, it’s about learning from failures—recognizing that it’s not about how many times we fall, but how many times we get back up and continue fighting for our goals.

As cliché as it may sound, I believe that approaching everything I do from a Christian worldview is the key to my success and that of my brand. This perspective helps me to be fair and just, treating everyone equally. Whether it’s my customers, employees, community, or family. It guides me to conduct my business with integrity, honesty, and professionalism. Our highly experienced team embodies these values; they are trained in craftsmanship, detail-oriented, and task-driven. As a result, Desert Legion has built a strong reputation based on trust, which encourages repeat business and fosters long-term growth.

I would like to be known as man who fears the Lord. This doesn’t mean being afraid of God in a fearful way but rather having a deep reverence and respect for His presence. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” I want to known a wise man, someone who loves unconditionally, perseveres in justice and faith, and lives with integrity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 (Friday): Downtown & Heritage Square

Lunch: The Old Spaghetti Factory — classic Italian with a fun railroad theme.

Afternoon: Explore downtown Phoenix; take the Light Rail for scenic views around downtown, then stroll Heritage Square.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Corazon — fantastic Mexican in a rustic setting.

Day 2 (Saturday): Nature & Nightlife

Morning: Hike North Mountain for epic city views.

Breakfast: Scramble — popular spot for breakfast & lunch.

Afternoon: Art Museum visit + walk around Tempe Lake / Mill Ave — vibrant area with bars and restaurants.

Evening: Dancing! Head to Tempe Marketplace for Latin music — salsa, bachata, and social dancing

Day 3 (Sunday): Scenic Views & Drive-In Movie

Late morning: Drive to South Mountain Park for sweeping views.

Lunch: Hola Cabrito — top-notch barbacoa and birria.

Afternoon: Visit Desert Botanical Garden to see stunning desert flora.

Evening: Enjoy a drive-in movie — bring a grill and carne asada for a fun outdoor dinner.

Day 4 (Monday): Fossil Creek & Sedona

Morning: Head to Fossil Creek — turquoise waters and waterfall (bring swimsuits and water shoes).

Late afternoon: Drive to Sedona, check into your hotel.

Evening: Dinner at La Vecina — rooftop bar with amazing views and food.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Adventure & Relaxation

Morning: Pink Jeep Tour — off-road adventure in Sedona.

Afternoon: Visit Slide Rock — fun water slide in the natural rock.

Evening: Treat yourselves to a massage — perfect way to relax.

Day 6 (Wednesday): Williams & Grand Canyon

Morning: Drive to Williams, visit Bearizona wildlife park.

Afternoon: Drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim — explore and enjoy breathtaking vistas.

Evening: Return to Flagstaff for dinner at El Tapatio — excellent Mexican restaurant .

Day 7 (Thursday): Meteor Crater & Scenic Drive

Morning: Visit Meteor Crater — fascinating geological site.

Afternoon: Drive through Winslow (famous for “Take it Easy” song), stop in Strawberry for lunch, then head down to Payson.

Evening: Relax back in Phoenix.

Day 8 (Friday): Departure

Early morning departure.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I want to acknowledge that everything I have and possess is only by the grace of God. There is no book more valuable to me than the Bible. If there were a manual on how to live life, the Bible would be the perfect guide; however, like many manuals, most people don’t read it or end up discarding it. It is through the Bible that I have gained wisdom, and my most profound beliefs are rooted in its teachings.

I also want to give special recognition to my parents, Virginia Perez and Pedro Cortez. They have been true examples of faith, raising me with strong moral values and a great work ethic. Their guidance and example have greatly shaped who I am today.

Website: https://www.desertlegionaz.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertlegionaz/?igsh=MXNmOWZrZ2YzOTlqMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr#

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Desert-Legion-LLC/61557568757333/#

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/desert-legion-avondale

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DesertlegionAZ