Noel Barajas is owner of Cal Summit Builders, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (415) 493-8984 or noel@calsummitbuilders.com.
Noel Barajas: Building Success
By Matt Solis, Editor
Noel Barajas didn’t have much experience with remodeling when a family member introduced him to the trade in the late ’90s, but once he got a taste for the work, he knew it would be his lifelong career. “I worked with my stepfather at a remodeling company in San Rafael for almost 10 years,” he explains. “In 2007, the economy was pretty bad and we hardly had any work, so I decided to get my license and start finding my own clients. I just wanted to establish something long-term so I could be in control of my own future.”
Today, as owner of Cal Summit Builders, Noel says his favorite part of his job is seeing the impact that his work has on his customers. “I love being there when a client sees the final product. It’s incredibly motivating to see how happy they are with the outcome.”
A longtime resident of the Bay Area, Noel has spent the last three decades in San Rafael, where he appreciates the city’s centralized location and small-town charm. “Most of my business is in the local area, so I feel really established in the community,” he says. “I love the people and the location, so I don’t see any reason to move.”
Outside of work, Noel devotes most of his free time to his wife (and business partner), Claudia, and their three children, but he makes time for a few personal hobbies as well. “Whether we’re on the jobsite or at home, it seems like there’s always remodeling work to do, but we try to spend time together as much as possible. We like taking the kids off-roading at Hollister Hills and attending our oldest son’s football games, and I also like fishing and riding my bike.”
When asked what his life might look like if he retired tomorrow, Noel envisions a simple life of leisure. “I would probably just enjoy the day by walking my dog or taking a hike,” he offers. “When I think about what I would do if I didn’t have to go to work, that’s what I see every time.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What are your favorite sports teams?
A: The San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.
Q: What’s your favorite motto?
A: “Work hard, play hard.”
Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Christmas.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day?
A: Watch a good movie and just sit at the house and relax.
Q: What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
A: The birth of my children.
