Justin Campbell of Santa Clarita on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Justin Campbell and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Fishing is something outside of work that I genuinely enjoy. I grew up fishing in Florida, where being on the water was a regular part of life. It taught me patience, focus, and how to spend long days committed to one thing. This interest carried over after moving to California. I still make time for long fishing days near the Channel Islands, launching my boat out of Oxnard Marina when I can. It is a straightforward way for me to unplug, clear my head, and reset outside of work.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Justin Campbell, the founder of Firefly Fabrication, a NHTSA and California DMV licensed trailer manufacturer based in Agua Dulce, California. We design and build custom food trucks, food trailers, and experiential marketing vehicles.

What makes Firefly different is that I came into this industry from the operator side first. I worked as a chef, ran my own mobile food business, and later consulted on national food truck and brand activations. I’ve been inside these trucks during long shifts, breakdowns, inspections, and real-world use. That experience shaped how we build.

Firefly started as an overnight repair service, fixing poorly built trucks. Seeing the same failures over and over made it clear that quality, safety, and serviceability were being ignored. We built Firefly to do better. Every vehicle is engineered for durability, repairability, and long-term success, not just to look good on day one.

Today, we’re a full-service shop offering design, fabrication, wraps, repairs, and ongoing support. We back our builds with a two-year warranty and guarantee they pass Health Department inspection. Everything we do is focused on giving our customers a reliable tool they can build a real business around.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
For me, what breaks bonds between people is a loss of trust. Even small betrayals or inconsistencies can create distance over time. What restores bonds is loyalty and reliability. I’m lucky to have several friends I met back in Florida in my 20s who still work with me today. Over the years, they have proven to be loyal and dependable, and that kind of trust has lasted decades. That is exactly how I try to approach Firefly and my relationships with customers. I want to build loyalty and trust the same way I have experienced with my friends, through consistency and integrity.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In 2020, I almost gave up. I was in a serious motorcycle accident and had to move to Montana for a year during the pandemic to be cared for by my family. At the time, I thought I might have to dissolve Firefly. When I went to my shop in a wheelchair to say goodbye to my employees, they told me not to worry and that they would take care of running the business. Watching their loyalty to me and to the company was a pretty emotional experience. It gave me the chance to focus on healing while managing the business remotely, and it solidified my passion for the work I do.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Every success and setback at Firefly is a reflection of my personal strengths and weaknesses. I’ve realized that the business doesn’t just reflect what I do, it reflects who I am, how I handle pressure, and how I respond to challenges. Running Firefly has made me more aware of myself than I expected. It has shown me the parts of myself I rely on when things get difficult. In many ways, the business has been a mirror, shaping me as much as I have shaped it.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes. I’ve met many of the goals I set for Firefly, and while those milestones matter, they never feel like the finish line. There’s always another problem to solve, another way to improve, or a higher standard to reach. If it ever truly felt like enough, I would probably be retiring. What keeps me engaged is the constant push to make the business better than it was yesterday. The satisfaction comes less from hitting a goal and more from the process of building, improving, and continuing to move forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fireflyfabrication.com/
• Instagram: @firefly_fabrication
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-campbell-firefly
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fireflyfoodtruck/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/firefly-food-truck-fabrication-santa-clarita
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fireflyfabrication