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Coco Perez Smith: Never Standing Still

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

Jorge "Coco" Perez Smith believes growth should never stop. Whether he’s helping homeowners transform their living spaces or challenging himself to learn something new, he approaches every opportunity with the mindset that standing still is never an option.

Originally from Peru, Coco earned a degree in civil engineering and worked as a project director before moving to the United States in 2013. Once he arrived, an unexpected opportunity led him to the remodeling industry. “My cousin had been doing tile for 10 years at the time, and he asked me to help him,” he recalls. “He pushed me into the pool and I learned how to swim from there.”

Although he was new to remodeling work, Coco quickly found his footing. His engineering background gave him a deeper understanding of construction, allowing him to combine technical knowledge with practical experience. “With all the knowledge that I had from the other side, it was pretty easy to skyrocket in the business,” he affirms.

Today, as owner of Hexagon Construction, Coco enjoys guiding homeowners through both the design and construction processes. “I like to see our clients’ faces when we’re able to completely change their homes,” he says. “It’s like taking a picture they’ve had in their minds for decades and bringing it to life.”

Coco lives in Pleasant Hill with his wife, Vanessa, where they enjoy being centrally located to everything the Bay Area has to offer. Their son, Mateo, attends the University of San Francisco, and whenever he’s home, they treasure spending time with him. Coco and Vanessa also share their home with a Goldendoodle, who is a frequent companion on their daily walks.

Outside of work, Coco enjoys staying active. He plays soccer, shoots pool with family members, camps every summer and recently discovered a passion for snowboarding. A former national swimming and basketball champion in Peru, he has always loved sports and still values the discipline and determination they taught him.

When it comes to a guiding philosophy, Coco believes continuous improvement is essential in both life and business. “The scariest place to be is the same place you were in last year,” he offers. “You have to keep growing and improving yourself.”
Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you could retire tomorrow?
A: Travel. I’d start by visiting every state in the U.S. and then I’d head to Europe.

Q: If you could talk to anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
A: My mom. I’d love the chance to ask her for more advice.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird. I like getting up early to review my schedule, answer emails, walk my dog and prepare for the day.

Q: What’s the strangest food you’ve ever eaten?
A: Giant ants. Surprisingly, they taste just like popcorn when they’re fried.

Q: Do you prefer being somewhere cold or somewhere hot?
A: I like both. I used to be all about summer, but after learning to snowboard a few years ago, I look forward to winter every year.