Page 41 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2021- Online Magazine

HONORING SMALL BUSINESSES

to ensuring that a "passive" owner.
every family On the contrary,
has a positive I would almost
and uplifting describe him as
experience as they "omnipresent,"
say goodbye to personally
their loved ones. ensuring that
every family
However, despite receives his “stamp
the wealth of of approval'”
knowledge and regarding the
years of experience Santos' early sketch of his idea for a funeral home. superior level of
Whit possessed, Daring to stray from the familiar, service for which
his old-school "this is the way we old-fashioned, melancholy feel Lake Ridge Chapel has become
have always done it" mentality of generations of funeral homes, known. "Everything I do, I do for
created a hindrance for Santos Santos set his sights on creating others – in all aspects of my life."
when wanting to try new things. something more contemporary, ~ Santos
Even as a young man, Santos something bright and inviting.
began to visualize innovative Incorporating natural lighting Despite his vision having
ways to create a more meaningful into the facility's design offered manifested into something even
experience for individuals seeking the warmth, airiness, and charm more immense than he'd dreamt
end-of-life services, such as he was seeking. Providing of, complacency is still not an
catered visitations, dove releases, an atmosphere in which option. He spends countless
and numerous additional people could feel at home and hours ensuring that we are
complementary services. Because modernizing old traditions continuously providing the most
these things were unheard of at ultimately led him to create a innovative and profound ways
the time and were considered landmark that is symbolic of life to honor lives and offer hope in
"out-of-the-box," Santos rather than death. times of need.
desperately needed a situation
where he could put these ideas Years of thought and planning As consumers, before engaging
into practical application. went into the creation of Lake with a business, we consider
Ridge Chapel and Memorial many things: the location, the
He began to research, study, and Designers. Santos worked aesthetics, the amenities, the
conduct cost analysis down to tirelessly to ensure that every reviews, and provided offerings;
the penny on every miniscule client would experience a new however, ultimately, it is the
detail, yet spreadsheet after level of service and the highest people who represent the
spreadsheet only made his dream standard of excellence when business who will serve you.
seem further out of reach. Aware the doors opened to the public. Having been established just over
that he did not come from a long He was changing the face of 15 years ago, I feel it is essential
line of funeral directors, nor was the funeral industry, from the to share with our community just
he born with a silver spoon, he unique design of the facility how deeply rooted we are in the
was undeterred. Knowing the and state-of-the-art innovations West Texas area and how deeply
odds were stacked against him, to the organization of our now invested we are in the families
Santos decided to make his move legendary aftercare services. whom we serve.
shortly after Whit's death. With "Community is everything to
determination, he pushed past the me. Families want a sense of "This chapel and everything
nay-sayers and broke ground in belonging and need to feel they that it represents belongs to our
April of 2006. "For me, this was are part of the club!" ~ Santos community, not to me." ~ Santos
not a business endeavor… it was Moreno
the essence of who I am." ~ Santos Unlike some business owners,
Santos is not what you would call

Lubbock Senior Link 41