SBA Success Story

Lois Rodriguez, President

Better By Design, LLC

In 2009, Lois Rodriguez founded Better By Design, LLC by blending a team of professionals with diverse construction expertise into one company. However, her introduction to business entrepreneurship came with both challenges and obstacles.  In 2006, Rodriguez’s
family planted a tree farm in Brookfield, Missouri.  Their primary market was providing the “street trees” for new developments in Kansas City, Missouri.  However, the recession in 2008, halted sales and resulted in a huge debt for their farm.

Rodriguez’s background in tree farming provided invaluable experience in seeding, fertilizing, and mulching. Determined to succeed, Rodriguez reached out to her brother, the owner of a landscape company, to increase her knowledge of construction-based responsibilities.
It was at this time, when she was looking for opportunities to sell the tree supply from 2008, that she landed her first fencing contract.