With nothing but $100 and a paint scraper, Mike Chavez never imagined he’d build Sonoma County’s most trusted paint company. Now, after eight straight ‘Best Of’ wins and landmark projects across the region, he’s painting a legacy across Northern California—one wall at a time.
Behind the Brush: Mike’s Story
It didn’t start with a master plan. It started with $100 in cash, a paint scraper, and a teenager looking for weekend work. Long before Mike Chavez became the name behind one of Sonoma County’s most respected painting companies, he was just a kid helping his buddy’s dad with prep work on summer weekends. It was a humble introduction to the trades but it planted the seed.
After high school, college wasn’t in the cards, but hard work was. Mike bounced between small gigs, learning the ropes from tradesmen who’d been in the industry for decades. Eventually, he joined a structured company, Northen Painting, run by a father-son team. That’s when the idea of owning a business like theirs started to crystallize.
Fast forward a few years and one unforgettable conversation with his dad at Burning Man pushed him over the edge.
“What’s stopping you?” his dad asked. The answer was: nothing. Mike took his last tax return, enrolled in contractor license prep courses, and launched Mike Chavez Painting.
That decision changed not just his life but the landscape of Sonoma County.
Do Right No Matter What: A Promise, Not a Tagline
In an industry where skepticism runs high and follow-through often falls short, Mike made it his mission to shift the narrative. From the beginning, his guiding principle has been simple but powerful: Do right no matter what.
That doesn’t just mean showing up, it means showing up with integrity, every single time. Whether it’s honoring a quote turnaround time, handling unexpected issues with grace, or ensuring that even the most detail-oriented customers walk away satisfied, Mike and his team take pride in doing exactly what they say they’re going to do.
“Accidents happen,” Mike says. “But it’s not about offering excuses, it’s about offering solutions. If we mess up, we fix it. Period.”
This value-driven approach has shaped the MCP reputation into one defined by trust and consistency—something that resonates deeply with their core customers, from longtime homeowners to discerning builders.
Becoming the Best in Sonoma County—Again and Again
For eight consecutive years, Mike Chavez Painting has been voted “Best Paint Company” in Sonoma County. That’s not a fluke; it’s the outcome of years of cultivating quality craftsmanship and genuine customer care.
Why do people keep voting for MCP? Mike has a theory:
“We offer a different level of service. From the first estimator visit to project close-out, we focus on making the entire experience exceptional—not just the paint job.”
It helps that the MCP team includes some of the most skilled craftspeople in the region, delivering consistently clean, detailed, beautiful results. But it’s not just the outcome, it’s how the client feels through the process that matters most.
Community Isn’t a Buzzword—It’s the Blueprint
Sonoma County isn’t just where Mike Chavez Painting operates, it’s where Mike raised his kids, met his wife, built his team, and made lifelong memories. That deep-rooted connection to place has shaped not only how the company does business, but why.
“I’ve got good memories and bad memories here – that’s life,” Mike shares. “This place raised me. And if my community is going to support me, I need to support it right back.”
That commitment shows up in big ways. From organizing volunteer crews to repaint the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma (a venue close to Mike’s heart) to coordinating the revitalization of the Redwood Gospel Mission alongside four other contractors, MCP walks the talk.
The company culture is infused with that same community-forward mindset. Volunteer projects aren’t just for PR – they’re a core expression of MCP’s values.
As Mike puts it: “Do good for people who are doing good.”
Milestone Projects That Tell a Bigger Story
Two recent projects exemplify everything MCP stands for.
The first: Montgomery Village. A mile-long outdoor shopping center near the high school Mike once attended, this was the largest and most complex job MCP had taken on. The project ran for 14 months and wrapped without a hitch. “It was a massive job, and somehow created almost zero stress. That speaks volumes about my team,” Mike says.
The second: the Catholic Cemetery Chapel on Bennett Valley Road. A landmark in Santa Rosa, it hadn’t been painted in over 30 years. Mike’s crew tackled the towering structure using an 80-foot crane and they repainted the entire cemetery grounds. For Mike, who has family buried there, the project was especially meaningful.
Both jobs weren’t just about the scale or technical demands, they were about contributing to the fabric of the community.
Lessons for the Next Generation of Tradespeople
When asked what advice he’d give to someone just starting out, Mike doesn’t hesitate:
- Find your people. Whether it’s mentors, fellow contractors, or business coaches, surround yourself with folks who’ve been where you’re going.
- Get involved. Mike credits the PCA (Painting Contractors Association) with helping him evolve from contractor to entrepreneur by plugging him into a national network of industry leaders.
- Take care of yourself. Business ownership is hard. Don’t take everything so seriously. Protect your mental health.
- And most of all: “Don’t try to do it all alone.”
Final Coat: Why Values Still Matter
At its core, Mike Chavez Painting isn’t just a business. It’s a values-based company grounded in integrity, craftsmanship, and community. From the top down, the team operates with a shared understanding: success isn’t just measured in revenue—it’s measured in trust, relationships, and the spaces they help transform.
So when you see the MCP crew out in the field, whether they’re restoring a landmark or painting a family’s dream home, you’re not just seeing painters.
You’re seeing neighbors who care.
You’re seeing professionals who show up, follow through, and do right no matter what.