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Margarito Perez: Artisan Mindset

By Julie Deacon, Diamond Certified Research Writer

Long before he owned a masonry company, Margarito Perez taught himself the trade one project at a time. What began as a search for opportunity eventually became a career defined by craftsmanship, persistence and pride in doing things the right way. “I believe craftsmanship truly matters,” he affirms. “If you start a job, it has to stay high-quality all the way to the end.”

Margarito first entered the masonry industry in 1995 after a contractor gave him the chance to build a wall despite having little experience. The work came naturally to him and he quickly became drawn to the creative side of the trade. “Once I started working with stone and building walls, I liked it right away,” he recalls. “I wanted to keep learning more and more.”

Determined to improve, Margarito immersed himself in the industry. He studied books and trade magazines, practiced constantly, and taught himself how to better understand layout and design. Over time, clients began recommending him to others, which allowed his reputation to steadily grow throughout the North Bay. In 2017, he took the leap into entrepreneurship and established MG Masonry Inc.

Today, Margarito continues to approach every project with the same level of care and personal investment that shaped his early years in the trade. Whether he’s building a retaining wall, designing a patio or managing a large masonry installation, he believes quality should never change based on the size of the job. “It doesn’t matter if the project is small or big—you have to care about every detail,” he offers. “I tell my crew to build it like it’s for their own family.”

That commitment to craftsmanship has become one of the defining principles of Margarito’s business philosophy. While he acknowledges the challenges of working in a highly competitive industry, he believes consistency, honesty and pride in one’s work are what ultimately build long-term success. “One of the best feelings is when someone tells me they heard good things about our work,” he says. “When they’re happy and say they’ll recommend us to others, that gives me the energy to continue.”

To Margarito, masonry is more than construction—it’s a form of artistry. He often encourages his employees to think creatively and take ownership of the work they leave behind. “I tell my guys, ‘This is art, so when you place a stone, place it with pride,’” he says. “After all, we’re creating something that wasn’t there before and it’s going to stay for years.”

A resident of Santa Rosa for nearly 30 years, Margarito says his favorite parts of life in the North Bay are the community and the natural beauty. “Santa Rosa is growing fast, but it’s still a quiet, nice city. I call it ‘Center City’ because I can easily drive to jobs in the surrounding areas.”

Outside of work, Margarito enjoys cooking, camping and visiting the ocean with his wife, Rosa. A lifelong musician, he began playing guitar while growing up in Mexico and continues to perform at church groups and family events today. “Music has always been important to me,” he affirms. “It gives me peace.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you could retire tomorrow?
A: I’d travel with my wife, spend more time playing music, and hopefully live somewhere peaceful near the redwoods and a lake.

Q: What are your favorite holidays?
A: Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Q: What’s your favorite fruit?
A: Mango.

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: An early bird.