An Inspired Chat with Matt DiBara of Calabasas

Matt DiBara shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Matt , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Recently I felt incredibly proud when DiBara Masonry was invited to quote on the restoration of Los Angeles City Hall. The invitation was extended to contractors with a strong history of quality work and a solid reputation, and being considered for a project tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to Los Angeles was a major milestone for us. Being trusted to help restore such an iconic building in advance of that moment felt like a real validation of the work my team and I have built over decades

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Matt DiBara, a fourth generation contractor based in California, and the owner of DiBara Masonry. I grew up in the trades and started working in masonry at a young age, learning firsthand what it takes to build something that lasts, both physically and professionally. Over the years, I scaled our family business while also seeing a major problem across the construction industry, a lack of trust, transparency, and strong teams.
That experience led me to build additional businesses focused on improving how construction companies hire, operate, and grow, and how homeowners protect themselves when working with contractors. My work today sits at the intersection of construction, education, and trust. What makes my brand different is that everything I do comes from real job site experience. I’m not theorizing from the outside. I’ve lived the challenges, made the mistakes, and built systems to solve them.
Right now, my focus is on helping raise the standard of the construction industry by empowering both contractors and homeowners with better information, better processes, and more accountability. At the core, I believe construction should be built on craftsmanship, integrity, and long term relationships, and everything I work on ties back to that belief.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me the most about work, closely followed by my grandfather. I grew up on masonry job sites, starting with whatever needed to be done. That meant sorting rocks, cleaning sites, stacking bricks, and doing the unglamorous work long before I ever laid stone myself. From both of them, I learned that no job is beneath you if it needs to be done right.
One lesson that stuck with me came from my grandfather. He believed the quality of your work mattered most when no one was watching. Whether it was laying stone or sweeping a floor at the end of the day, you did it with intention and pride. I learned that hard work is not about applause or recognition. It is about standards. Showing up, doing your best, and respecting the work itself, even when the task does not feel impressive, is what builds real character. That mindset shaped how I approach craftsmanship, leadership, and business today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself to be more intentional about what I choose to spend my time on, and then fully commit once that decision is made. Not everything deserves your energy, but the things that do deserve it should get your full effort and attention.
I would also remind my younger self to be proud of the work along the way, not just the outcome. Progress comes from showing up consistently, learning through the process, and respecting the time and effort you invest. When you choose something that matters and commit to it fully, the results take care of themselves.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
A lot of smart people are playing the short game and chasing instant gratification. There is a constant pressure to move fast, show results immediately, and pivot the moment something feels slow. The reality is that most meaningful growth happens over time, not overnight.
I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the long game can be. I got licensed as a contractor at nineteen, and for the first three or four years, the business did fine but nothing remarkable. We were building, learning, and making mistakes, but we stayed consistent. Around year four or five, once our reputation was established and trust had compounded, the business started to grow exponentially. That kind of growth only happens when you commit long term, stay patient, and focus on doing the work right even when progress feels slow. There is enormous opportunity for people who are willing to think five or ten years ahead and truly invest in what they are building.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I inspired them to aim higher and believe more was possible for their lives, especially when it came to their careers and financial futures. Whether it was through my work in construction, business, or education, I want people to feel that they walked away with a clearer path and more confidence in what they could build.
If someone can look back and say that my example helped them think bigger, work harder, and create more opportunity for themselves and their families, that would mean more to me than any title or recognition. To me, real legacy is measured by the lives you positively influence and the doors you help others open.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdibara/
• Other: Companies
  https://www.dibaramasonry.comhttps://thecontractorconsultants.com