John Savala is owner of Bay Area Refacing, a Diamond Certified company. He can be reached at (650) 648-3920 or bayarearefacing@gmail.com.
John Savala: A Family Affair
By Matt Solis, Editor
When asked what led him to a career in cabinetry, John Savala simply replies that he was born into it. “My dad owned a cabinet shop, so I grew up helping him out,” he explains. “He would teach me how to use different tools and make things like piggy banks, so I have him to thank for my training. I started working for a cabinet shop as soon as I turned 18, and when I was 22 I joined the carpenters’ union as a journeyman, which is exceptional because that’s the youngest possible age you can be a journeyman. I got my contractor’s license when I was 27 and I’ve been contracting ever since.”
John established Bay Area Refacing in 2016, and today, he says his favorite part of his job is putting the finishing touches on his customers’ projects. “I love small things like installing cabinet handles and preparing the kitchen so the client can stand back and look at the finished product. I know they remember what it looked like when we started, so seeing everything complete and beautiful is very satisfying.”
Originally from Tracy, John relocated to the Bay Area in 2009 and currently lives in San Mateo with his wife and two children, where he appreciates all that life on the Peninsula has to offer. “I used to commute into the Bay Area from Tracy and it was miserable, so I’m much happier here,” he says. “The weather is beautiful and I love being right in the middle of everything. I can go south to Palo Alto, north to San Francisco and 30 minutes away to the beach, so it’s just a perfect location.”
Outside of work, John dedicated most of his free time to his family. “I’m a family man, so as soon as I get home from work, I try to spend as much time with the kids as possible,” he affirms. “We’ve always liked playing games together, but it’s even more fun now that they’re older. We like playing Sequence, Monopoly and speed card games. They’re smart enough that they can even beat Dad sometimes!” When he’s not making memories with his wife and kids, John also likes staying active by playing golf and basketball.
In his life and career, John believes in approaching every situation with the Golden Rule in mind. “I believe in treating people the way I would like to be treated,” he affirms. “It’s a biblical idea, but it’s also a way of life. As long as you do that, everything else takes care of itself.”
Ask Me Anything!
Q: What’s your favorite sports team?
A: The Golden State Warriors.
Q: What’s your favorite genre of movies?
A: I like everything, from action and drama to comedy and romance.
Q: What’s your favorite board game?
A: Monopoly. It’s really dynamic now that my kids are older.
Q: Reality TV or documentaries?
A: Documentaries. I like shows about animals with underwater footage that you’re not usually able to see.
Q: If you were a professional athlete, which number would you wear on your jersey?
A: Five. That’s my favorite number.