Plain and simple, Justin Fara has building in his DNA; yes, it’s construction; but it’s also well beyond construction. He's also building a legacy—a network of relationships, friendships, and partnerships. He’s building a culture that promotes and supports success, both for Klasik’s customers and employees. A company mindfully crafted to impact generations to come.
From a young age, Justin (or “Fara” as most of his friends and classmates called him) was captivated by the world of architecture and building. The intricate dance of design, engineering, planning, and execution ignited a passion that led him to pursue a Master's degree in Architecture from Kent State University. His early career began in his teenage years, as an intern at a small suburban Chicago architecture firm focused on high-end residential design for both custom home builders and individual home owners. Following years as both an intern and then full-time employee there, he then transitioned to a small commercial architecture firm in Chicago, focused on hospitality design. Navigating the significant challenges of the 2008-2009 recession, he also co-founded an energy solutions company, gaining experience of being an entrepreneur in the startup world..
A pivotal moment came in 2011 with the opportunity to help a friend in need. The success of a small fundraising venture, born out of necessity to help his friend diagnosed with cancer, revealed the power of business to make a tangible difference. This experience solidified Justin’s commitment to entrepreneurship and inspired him to establish Cure with Paint in 2013, a socially conscious painting company. The company's rapid growth and success further fueled his drive and confirmed his ability to execute a vision. A vision of a business connected to their customers and ethically sound.
In early 2015, Fara merged Cure with Paint with a small residential general contracting firm, becoming part of BJ Construction Group. This strategic move allowed him to expand his expertise in the world of building. However, the partnership proved challenging, and by mid 2016, Fara found himself solely responsible for the company's operations. This period, though difficult, proved to be a crucible. Fara learned invaluable lessons about leadership, failure, and the crucial importance of strategic planning and decision-making. He emerged from this experience with a refined understanding of what it takes to build a sustainable, scalable, community based business that provided significant value to their customers first.
Those four years, from 2016 to 2019, were a trial by fire. Fara was determined to create an honest, transparent, and wholesome company, one that valued its employees and delivered consistently to its customers. He poured his heart and soul into the business, working tirelessly to stabilize it, manage spending and debt, and invest in future growth. He learned to balance the needs of the business with the needs of his employees, understanding that their success was inextricably linked to the company's. He grappled with common industry cash flow challenges, learned to strategically allocate resources, and prioritized margins as a means to provide for his customers, his team, and build a foundation for long-term success and scalability. It was a period of intense learning, marked by both small victories and painful setbacks, but Justin consistently overcame each one through determination and commitment to his vision. Business college in 2019 was a strategic step that allowed him to compartmentalize all his learning and propel his vision.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented yet another hurdle in 2020. While navigating the challenges of keeping his business afloat, Justin simultaneously laid the foundation for his next venture: Klasik Construction. As mentioned just prior, in 2019, he participated in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, solidifying his vision for the future. He strategically transitioned away from residential remodeling, focusing on the commercial sector, and made the difficult but ultimately prudent decision to wind down BJ Construction Group in late 2020. This strategic move, while involving the difficult step of dissolving his previous company through bankruptcy, allowed him to launch Klasik Construction with a clean slate and a wealth of experience.
Klasik Construction, founded in 2021, specializes in tenant improvement projects within existing commercial spaces. The company has successfully completed projects across a diverse range of industries, including restaurants, retail, medical offices, hospitality spaces, and corporate offices. Klasik Construction prides itself on preserving the integrity of design while creating unique, functional, and pleasant spaces. The Klasik brand embodies a blend of professionalism and approachability, described as "your concierge in Carhartt" which translates to construction experts who prioritize superior communication in order to provide an exceptional customer experience. Their mission is clear: "We preserve the integrity of design while producing unique spaces explicitly tailored for their function. We are fun, honest, professional, focused, and dependable. We are what people want construction to be."
Fara's architectural background informs Klasik's commitment to "beautifully built architecture," a tagline they use often which reflects the company’s dedication to maintaining the designer's ingenuity through quality craftsmanship. The company operates on lean principles, emphasizing efficiency, minimizing waste, and continuous learning and improvement. This philosophy is woven into their core values: curiosity, integrity, competency, tenacity, community, and entrepreneurship. Klasik Construction fosters a culture committed to communication, considering communication as part of each team member's "DNA," something that is deeply rooted into every team member's bone marrow, and essential for collaboration and consistent customer satisfaction.
The company's target audience includes architects, interior designers, commercial property owners, and business owners—individuals and businesses who value a trustworthy and reliable construction partner. Klasik Construction aims to be that essential project partner, providing consistent, high-quality service to successfully building long-term relationships with their customers.
Klasik Construction has quickly become a testament to Fara's vision and leadership. Built on a foundation of customer satisfaction, operational efficacy, data-driven decision-making, and a relentless focus on efficiency, the company has been rewarded with deserved growth. In 2024, Klasik Construction achieved $5 million in sales, and is targeting $10 million in 2026. This rapid growth is a direct result of Justin's dedication, strategic planning, his ability to build and lead a strong team, and his unwavering commitment to delivering consistent and exceptional results.
But according to Justin, he still sees his career being in the early growth stage. While content with incremental growth in the past; he's driven by a larger vision and is excited to see that through. He sees Klasik Construction as more than just the successful company it is; he sees it as a vehicle for innovation, job creation, teaching, and having a lasting impact on many communities. His ambition to build a nationally recognized brand is not about personal wealth; it's about creating something significant, something with an impact to an industry and customer base that deserves positive solutions, something that leaves a legacy, something that future generations will be grateful for.
Justin Fara's story, albeit young and still on the drafting table, is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of continued learning, and the unwavering pursuit of a vision. He's a builder with a great foundation underneath him.
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