Inspiring Conversations with Christopher Griffin of Unique Landscapes & Custom Pools

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Griffin.

Christopher, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At just 12 years old, Chris Griffin already displayed a strong work ethic, pushing a lawn mower around his Oklahoma City neighborhood to earn extra money. Even in his early years, Chris understood that hard work was the foundation for achieving success in every aspect of his life. This dedication carried him all the way to the University of New Mexico football team, where he played all four years of his collegiate career, achieving an impressive career average of 13.4 yards per reception and over 4 yards per carry. His performance and leadership earned him the role of team captain during his senior season.

After graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering, Chris pursued his dream of playing in the NFL. He was drafted in the 6th round, 173rd overall, by the New England Patriots, and later played for the Jacksonville Jaguars before retiring. Following his NFL career, Chris returned to New Mexico and opened his first landscape company, rapidly expanding it to a staff of over 50. But always looking for new challenges, Chris saw immense potential in the Phoenix market in 2001 and made the strategic decision to relocate.

This move laid the groundwork for what is now one of the top three landscape and pool companies in Arizona, as recognized by AZ Business Magazine. Chris Griffin, EIT, IWI, has always been driven to excel—whether on the football field or in building Unique Companies. His dedication to customer service and a strong understanding of construction principles, thanks to his engineering background, enabled him to create a company that holds all three key licenses: general contractor, landscape contractor, and swimming pool contractor. This Unique combination allows Chris to deliver cohesive, functional outdoor living spaces that seamlessly blend with the comfort and flow of the indoors.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing about starting, operating, or expanding a business has been a smooth road! Over the past 20 years, I’ve learned many lessons the hard way. I believe it’s my perseverance and drive to excel that have kept me going through the toughest times. For example, when I moved to Phoenix in 2001 to start the company, it came with its own set of challenges. I also navigated the economic downturn of 2007–2008, when we had to scale back from 35 employees to just a few. Each challenge, however, has made us stronger. I like to think that with every mistake, we improve, and that’s how we continue to grow.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Since 2003, I’ve developed Unique into a high-end, custom landscape and pool company, taking on projects that many others wouldn’t attempt. We specialize in offering a full turn-key experience for our clients—well before it became common for pool companies to offer landscaping and vice versa. Our approach focuses heavily on creating detailed construction plans that clearly set client expectations, ensuring that they know exactly what they’re getting and how our products are designed and built. This planning minimizes potential conflicts, which often arise from poorly communicated expectations.

We are proud to be one of the first companies to hold all three contractors’ licenses—pool, landscape, and general contracting. Additionally, we are one of the few companies in Arizona with an owner who holds both the SWD and IWI industry accreditations. These prestigious certifications were earned through years of rigorous coursework and certification via the Genesis and Watershape University programs, which are designed to cultivate some of the world’s top pool builders.

What’s next?
At Unique, we’re incredibly proud of where we stand in the industry today. We’ve built one of the best indoor pool and landscape showrooms in Arizona, and we operate from a world-class office, yard, and warehouse designed to support our employees and team members. Over the past 20 years, we’ve earned hundreds of awards, worked with countless happy clients, and built an impressive portfolio of projects that speak to our commitment to excellence. We’re always focused on improving and refining our systems with one clear goal in mind: to provide an exceptional construction experience and ensure customer satisfaction.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.uniquecompanies.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquecompanies/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniqueCompanies
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgriffinunique/
• Twitter: https://x.com/uniquecompanies
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLF6e9hN075lARzopyRxMMA

Image Credits
Andrew Pielage Photography