We recently had the chance to connect with Jason Pietruszka and have shared our conversation below.
Jason, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
When most people think about contractors, they often picture someone in a hard hat swinging a hammer or pouring concrete. While that’s part of the job, it’s only a fraction of what a contractor truly does. One of the biggest misunderstandings about the construction industry is that contractors are primarily laborers. In reality, the role is heavily weighted toward management. Contractors act as project managers, business operators, and risk managers, coordinating multiple trades, handling permits and inspections, managing budgets, and ensuring safety and compliance. The job is more about orchestrating the entire project than picking up the tools.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Jason Pietruszka is the founder and driving force behind JJP Construction Inc., a general contracting firm based in Los Angeles. With additional ventures like Shelter, an architectural and interior design studio, and GoLandscapers, an exterior design and renovation company, Jason offers clients a truly full-service approach to real estate development—from concept to completion.
What sets Jason apart is his ability to bridge the worlds of design, construction, and development. He’s not only a builder but also a creative strategist, guiding projects from sketches on paper to livable, functional, and beautifully finished homes. With a reputation for detail and transparency, he’s earned trust in a field often clouded by misconceptions.
Beyond running multiple companies, Jason is also focused on educating others about real estate development through his YouTube channel, youtube.com/jasonpie is where he shares lessons, insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on building projects. His work blends craftsmanship with mentorship, making him a unique voice in an industry that demands both grit and vision.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before launching JJP Construction and his design ventures, Jason Pietruszka spent years in the music industry, where he learned the value of creativity, discipline, and storytelling. Working closely with artists and production teams, he developed an eye for detail and an ear for rhythm that would later influence his approach to design and construction. That experience taught him how to manage high-pressure projects, collaborate with diverse talent, and balance artistry with business — skills that seamlessly transferred into his current work building and developing homes.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Earlier this year, I seriously thought about stepping away from the construction and development business. The day-to-day had become overwhelming, and I started to wonder if it was time to move on. Then the Palisades fire happened. I found myself talking to families who had just lost their homes, and those conversations completely changed my perspective. I had lost homes that I was building for development, but was blessed to not have my family displaced.
Instead of feeling burned out, I started to feel a sense of purpose again. People weren’t just asking me about building—they were asking for help, guidance, and reassurance. Sometimes that meant offering advice, other times it meant pointing them to the right resource, and sometimes it was simply listening. Whatever role I played, it reminded me why I started in this industry in the first place.
That moment reshaped how I look at my work with JJP Construction. We don’t just build or renovate homes—we help people get back on their feet, create spaces they’re proud of, and solve problems when life feels uncertain. The fire made me realize I still have plenty to give, and that JJP’s mission isn’t just about construction—it’s about people.
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. Is the public version of you the real you?
What you see is what you get. The values I share publicly, like attention to detail, transparency, and a passion for building are the same ones that guide me every day on and off the job site. My journey has taken me from the creative world of the music industry to running multiple companies in design, construction, and landscaping, but the common thread has always been people.
The “public” version of me isn’t a performance; it’s simply the condensed version of who I really am. Whether I’m speaking to an audience about development, sitting down with clients, or walking through a project site, the goal is the same: to listen, to help, and to deliver with integrity. That authenticity is what makes JJP Construction Inc. unique—we don’t just build homes, we build trust.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Praise is fuel, but it’s not the engine. At the end of the day, what really drives me is purpose, the sense that the work I’m doing matters and that I’m giving my absolute best, even if nobody’s watching. That said, I won’t pretend that I don’t enjoy the spotlight. I’m definitely a showman at heart, and there’s a thrill that comes with the performance of presenting an idea, finishing a project, or sharing a vision. The claps, the recognition, the validation, they give me a charge, and I’d be lying if I said they didn’t. But I’ve learned that those moments of applause are temporary. What keeps me steady, what keeps me going when the audience isn’t there, is knowing that my effort has meaning and impact. The cheers might light the fire for a moment, but it’s the commitment to my purpose that keeps the engine running.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jjpconstructioninc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjpconstruction/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-pietruszka-5b8444194/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jjpconstruction/
- Yelp: https://www.facebook.com/Jjpconstruction/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jasonpie
