Christopher Souza Named to Business Observer’s 40 Under 40
Updated: Sep 8, 2025
Business Observer’s 40 Under 40 class of 2024: A gritty, innovative group.
By Laura Lyon
Never tell Christopher Souza the odds. Even if you did, it likely wouldn’t stop him.
At 22 years old, with no formal work experience, he applied for a CEO position. Of course, the billionaire running the company had his trepidations about the kid from Boston. “And he told me, ‘You’re inexperienced, you’re too young, and the goal of this company is to get in front of billionaires. You can’t do that.’ And I said, ‘got it,’” Souza recalls.
A study abroad trip landed him in Santiago, Chile, the native country of the man who questioned him. He took a two-hour Uber to the main office and waited. “I told him, ‘I’m here. I got in front of you again. I can do it to anyone in the U.S.’ And he was blown away. Hired me on the spot.” Although he didn’t ultimately land the CEO position, he was in the upper crust of leadership and thus began a trend of proving anyone doubting him wrong.
“The people that question me, I think it’s a huge benefit. I think it’s a huge positive, and I don’t resent anything toward them. I want to prove them wrong, but I also appreciate their feedback and their honest thoughts on the situation, and I’m always trying to prove those people wrong,” Souza says.
Part of his strategy is learning from the people around him. “Know what you don’t know,” he says, “And I think something that I’ve tried to do a lot is know someone who knows, or figure out who knows, and don’t be the ego. Throw your ego out. And call that person and say, ‘Hey, I don’t understand this. Can you help me? Can you teach me? Can I hire you to help me?’ Whatever it may be, because you’re only as strong as your team.”
Souza takes that approach with Oasis Amenities, a Tampa-based firm he oversees that designs, builds and operates “world class amenities,” according to its website. The list includes springs, lazy rivers, water parks, splash pads, and commercial pools, the website states, and also includes recreation, hardscapes and buildings.
To the dozen or so employees of Oasis Amenities, he checks in and asks how things are going and what they might want to try or learn. “I think helping people grow and being a support and a mentor, because I had that, is important to me.”
Survey says
City of Residence: Odessa
Birthplace: Boston
Years in the area: 1.5 years living here but have worked in this market since 2015
Marital Status/Children: Married with 3 beautiful kids! (3.5, 2, 2 months)
Alma Mater/Degree: Babson – MBA, UMass – Undergrad in Finance / Sports
Management / Psychology
What community group or organization are you most involved with? Urban Land Institute
Who is your mentor for your career and why? My father. He’s the best person I know… he’s helped so many people and I’ve always looked up to him as a person and a professional.
What are the biggest lessons you have learned from your mentor? To always stay above reproach. Do what’s right at all times no matter how hard or easy that decision is.
Are you working from the company office, home office or hybrid? Office
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had? Or the weirdest task you’ve ever been assigned? I worked for Square before they were big to pass out card readers to my college campus. As one of the top earners, spoke with founder and slammed Twitter at the time… he created Twitter! Interesting job.. Ha!
What’s your top tip for being productive? Put your nose down, remind yourself of why you’re doing this, blast some good music, grab a coffee and don’t move until you finish!
If you could have a side hustle, what would it be? Buying and selling homes
What’s your favorite off-hours activity? Being a dad and husband
What’s the most significant item on your life bucket list — and what’s keeping you from completing it? Buying a rental property for all 3 of my kids… almost there!
What’s your favorite podcast? Pat McAfee Show
At what percentage on your phone do you start to get Low Battery Anxiety? 20%
What are the top three apps used on your smartphone? Messenger, Email, Spotify
What books are you reading now? Never Split the Difference
What’s your go-to music genre, band or act to be inspired? Timeflies Tuesday… get’s me pumped up!
Who would play you in the movie of your life? If there is a movie made about me, I have to assume it will be in a couple decades from now. If that’s the case, I would want my son to play that role! That would be very cool.
Where is your happy place? In my pool with my family
Describe yourself in three words: Compassionate, hard working, determined
