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Juan Sandoval: Fueled by Freedom

By James Florence, Guest Contributor

As Juan Sandoval recounts his journey to becoming a building contractor, it’s clear his professional progression was largely shaped by a desire for freedom. “Before getting into construction, I worked in a restaurant, and I’d get tired of being in the same place every day,” he remembers. “When I started doing construction, I really liked the fact that we were constantly moving from one jobsite to another. It just felt a lot freer.”

After starting out as a laborer, Juan worked his way up through the ranks, accumulating a wealth of experience as he went. A decade later, he again felt the tug of freedom and decided to make the jump from employee to owner. Today, as owner of East Bay PC Construction, he reflects on the motivation for his decision. “I didn’t do this to become super wealthy—I just like the liberty that comes with being my own boss. I like making my own schedule and being in control of my professional destiny.”

Juan says his favorite part of his job is collaborating with clients to bring their dreams to fruition. “I enjoy meeting with a customer, learning about their dreams for their remodeled home and helping them turn those dreams into reality. Often, people have lots of ideas but need help with the practical aspects, which is where I come in."

A resident of Antioch, Juan spends most of his time outside of work with his family. “My wife, Maricela, and I have four beautiful kids, aged 20, 17, five and one,” he says. “Basically, after raising our first two kids into their teens, we decided to start all over again. I enjoy taking time off with my family and going to the beach or on short vacations. We don’t stay at home very much—we prefer to be out and active.”

In regard to his professional career, Juan espouses the value of customer confidence. “I make sure my clients know I’m with them every step of the way,” he explains. “If they have questions, they know they can come to me, even if it’s after hours. Since I keep them updated and informed, they’re not constantly worrying about their projects, which reduces stress for both of us. Overall, I find that making myself available to my clients results in healthier working relationships.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Juan says he’d head south. “I would probably move to Rosarito Beach, Mexico and spend the rest of my life there with my wife. I would likely keep my business running, though—I’d just come by every so often to make sure everything was still running smoothly.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird. Where I live, if you’re not on the freeway by 5am, you’re going to spend two hours fighting with the traffic.

Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: “The Walking Dead.”

Q: Do you collect anything?
A: Tools.

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
A: It’s a tie between India 4 U in Brentwood and La Piñata in Concord.

Q: If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: I would go to the past and get into architecture. I’ve always been fascinated by building design, so I’d love the chance to go back and follow the path to becoming an architect.