Meet Alfonso Rodriguez of R.D.D. Landscaping in Rowlett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alfonso Rodriguez.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After coming home from deployment, I encountered some of the toughest and darkest battles I have ever encountered. There is no training in the world that could have prepared me for what was coming. The nightmares were frequent. I don’t know if the insomnia I was experiencing was a defense instinct to keep me safe and in peace.

Waking up in a pool of sweat and screaming was the norm. I did not want my family (parents, and siblings) to know I was affected by the 1 1/2 years long deployment. I put up walls to protect myself emotionally, which meant keeping even the people who meant the most to me, at arm’s length.

I learned the art of hiding my thoughts and mastered shifting the focus away from me and unto others.

Eventually what had started as a relatively subtle shift toward keeping my darker thoughts private became a complete shutdown of my ability to acknowledge—let alone talk about—who I really was.

Alcohol became my medication. It was the thing that numbed my pain, it silenced my inner critic. Almost every night for 3 years, before passing out drunk, I would promise myself that this would be the last time. I had not realized how far off I had gone until I hit rock bottom.

I lost everything and became homeless, but was still working. I hadn’t eaten for three days none of my coworkers knew… I contemplated for about 3 seconds if I should pick up half a burger someone had left near a parking lot. At the same time, my phone rang.

“Alfonso… come to the office we have a surprise for everyone!” When I walked in to the room there was a large table full of all kinds of food. It was Thanksgiving… and I didn’t even know. A person is capable of doing the unimaginable when they are hungry and desperate. I hit rock bottom, there is no other place to go but up.

How could I come so close to picking up something that someone had left behind? That day I realized that I had to do something. I stopped drinking and sought the help of my family and the VA Hospital. Within 4 months of receiving help something unexpected happened. I was reactivated to go back to Iraq to fight for another year. I wasn’t ready but I felt that a cause so important to me might help me refocus.

During my deployment I read self-help books, I must have read about 50 books. I became known as Rev… short for Reverend. My personal mission was to hear out and help soldiers dealing with stress from the war. I served in excellence and quickly was recognized as the battalion’s most distinguished soldier.

When I returned home from my last deployment (2009) I continued to read. I was determined to keep moving forward. I reunited and married a long lost love (we will celebrate our 8-year anniversary this year).

Married with a step son meant that I had to make drastic changes. I enrolled into community college not knowing if I was the college type. I’m happy to say that in 2014 I graduated from Richland Community College with an Associates of Arts in honors. I then enrolled into Dallas Baptist University and in 2015 I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts and Science in honors.

I recently decided to start a lawn care business which is growing in an incredible rate. I have three full-time employees and by the end of this month will need at least four more. America loves and supports their soldiers, I attribute our growth by the same values and principles that I lived by in the military, The Army Values.

Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage

Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause.

— Honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle.

Abraham Lincoln –December 2, 1863 letter to George Opdyke and others.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about R.D.D. Landscaping – what should we know?
I believe we are a special company, veterans love to serve and make it their duty to do everything in excellence.

R.D.D. Landscaping specializes in all lawn care (stone, fertilizing, irrigation repair, trees, debris clean up), and landscaping ideas.

What sets us apart from others is that we truly treat our clients home as if it was our own, with the care and attention it deserves.

Our team has more than 20 years of experience. With only little time of opening shop, we have earned and won regular customers who would highly recommend us as a professional and respected company.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First I would say that my faith has helped me climb out of the depression, anxiety, and the nightmares that I experienced every day and night. Second my wife and my step-son have supported and helped me overcome PTSD. How? With lots of love and patience.

Contact Info:

• Website: rddlandscaping.com
• Phone: 214-200-1255
• Email: rddlawncare@gmail.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RDD_Landscaping
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rdd-landscaping-rowlett
• Other: https://plus.google.com/117135503506068408971

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.