By Mike Chavez, Founder & CEO, Mike Chavez Painting
Every year, when the Press Democrat announces its “Best of Sonoma County” winners, I feel the same mix of pride, humility, and disbelief. Winning Best Painter in Sonoma County for the ninth year in a row in 2025 is an honor that doesn’t just belong to me—it belongs to my entire team, our suppliers, our clients, and the Sonoma County community that continues to put their trust in us.
But here’s the truth: this kind of recognition doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not about having the flashiest trucks or the lowest prices. It’s about showing up, doing the right thing, and staying committed to your craft, your people, and your place.
Being Local Sets the Standard We Live By
Sonoma County is a place where people know. They know your face from the grocery store, your truck from the road, and your work from a neighbor’s house. When clients ask, “Are you local?” and I say, “Born and raised right here in Santa Rosa,” that matters.
Being local means knowing what buildings matter to our community—like Montgomery Village or the Catholic Cemetery Chapel. It means shopping with other local businesses like Sonoma Paint Center or Dunn-Edwards, where we know the people behind the counter and they know how we work. These relationships go deeper than business. They strengthen our work and reinforce the fabric of our community.
Our People Make the Difference
Ask anyone why we keep winning, and I’ll tell you: it’s the team. From the office manager who answers the phone with a smile to the painter who makes a client feel at ease in their home, our people make the difference. Our clients mention it in reviews constantly how kind, clean, and respectful our crew is.
We look for people who reflect our values and raise our standards. I’d rather grow slowly with people who share our values than scale fast and lose our identity. That’s how we keep our standards high, even as we take on bigger projects.
Local Supply, Real Support
Sourcing locally isn’t always the easiest route, especially in an industry impacted by economic shifts and supply chain changes. But it’s always the right one. Whether it’s partnering with Sonoma Paint Center or Dunn-Edwards, Every gallon of paint we purchase represents support for the people who help us deliver excellence.
And those relationships pay off. When we organized a volunteer project to paint the Redwood Gospel Mission, those same suppliers stepped up to donate all the materials. That kind of community support doesn’t show up on spreadsheets, but it makes all the difference.
Navigating Tariffs, Tough Calls, and Turbulence
The last few years have brought a lot of uncertainty—from tariffs and inflation to ongoing supply chain challenges. In our industry, materials like paint, tape, and tools have seen significant cost increases since the pandemic. And while tariffs haven’t directly impacted paint production too heavily, the broader economic ripple effects certainly have.
Being rooted in the local economy has helped us weather that storm. People are more mindful of where their dollars go, and they’re choosing to support businesses they believe in. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy.
Like many small business owners, I’ve had to make some hard decisions. That includes adjusting pricing to keep up with material costs and making tough staffing calls based on workload fluctuations. No business owner enjoys having to reduce hours or hold back on growth plans. But leadership means recognizing when to pivot and doing it in a way that stays true to your values.
And that’s what we’ve tried to do at MCP. We’ve stayed transparent, prioritized communication, and continued investing in the relationships that matter most—with our clients, our crew, and our community.
"Do Right No Matter What"
That phrase hangs in our office, and it guides everything we do. Whether it’s keeping a promise, fixing a mistake, or going the extra mile for a client who’s had bad contractor experiences in the past, we lead with integrity.
I tell our crew: It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being accountable. That’s how we build trust. That’s how we earn repeat business. And that’s how you win an award like this year after year.
Looking Ahead
Winning this ninth award marks a milestone, not a finish line. We’ll keep raising the bar, investing in our people, mentoring new tradespeople, and giving back however we can. Because when you grow up in a place like Sonoma County, success isn’t just about profit. It’s about legacy.
Thanks to everyone who voted, referred us, hired us, worked alongside us, and believed in us. This win is for you.