Meet Jono Rahav of Creative Paving Solutions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jono Rahav.

Jono, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After my father, Hadar, emigrated from Israel, he started a decorative asphalt company out of our garage: Creative Paving Solutions was formed. Over the past 25 years, Creative Paving has grown to be one of the largest decorative asphalt companies in the United States. I admire my father for many things, but seeing where he came from and what he was able to build was my inspiration to join the business. I felt this was as early as the 1st grade when my teacher asked what I wanted to be when we grew up and I proudly responded I wanted to join my dad’s family business.

Since the beginning of my working at Creative, we have been involved in working with artistic designs and solar reflective coatings. It wasn’t until recently that we combined the two to form eco-supportive murals. In 2019, I worked with UCLA on an installation of the first ever solar reflective mural: Blue Zeus by Eric Skotnes in East L.A.

This project not only launched our interest in expanding solar reflective work to incorporate the work of urban artists, but also was incredibly important to me personally. At the first meeting for the project, I met the art advisor that helped select the artist for the mural. That art advisor eventually became my wife and mother to my son. Meeting her inspired me to grow the business in Los Angeles and, since then, Creative has been leading the charge in solar-reflective murals, solar-reflective playgrounds, and solar-reflective asphalt roads.

Our largest goal is to create a meaningful change in urban heat by applying Solar Reflective Cool Coating to neighborhood roads, playgrounds, and parking lots. Another important goal of the company is to support contemporary artists by utilizing the built environment as a canvas for eco-supportive solar reflective asphalt art and vertical murals!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our business is primarily run by me, my dad, and my stepbrother Hans. A challenge that we face, which is also our most powerful asset, is running the business alongside our family. No one may annoy you more, but no one has your back like family. As difficult as it can be to navigate the personal with the professional, the level of trust that comes from working with family is so high that, ultimately, we are always moving in the same direction: forward.

We’ve been impressed with Creative Paving Solutions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are one of the largest applicators of decorative and solar-reflective asphalt in the country, with over 40 million square feet currently on the ground. Over the past four years, we have been working with the City of Los Angeles to apply 10.5 million square feet of solar reflective coating to neighborhood streets, as well as multiple school districts, to apply a solar reflective coating to over 70 asphalt playgrounds. This helps with combating urban heat, as well as with asphalt preservation. We also work with many artists to produce vertical murals and asphalt art, all while maintaining solar reflectivity. What we do helps minimize the impact of urban heat, helps lower the likelihood of traffic accidents between vehicles and pedestrians/bicyclists by 50%, and helps our customers save money by extending the life of their asphalt.

We also support and promote local artists and have collaborated on murals in multiple states, working with: Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Lady Gaga, The first African American Church in Los Angeles, Erin Miller Wray, Erik Skotnes, and the City of Los Angeles, all to provide impactful murals, statements, and celebrations of community.

What makes us unique is our confidence to go after what we believe in. Whether it’s the ABLM on Hollywood Blvd, the BORN THIS WAY mural in front of the Abbey, or a basketball court at Chicanos Por La Causa, Creative Paving Solutions always goes after what we believe in.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
For books Built to last and for podcasts Art Attack with Lizy Dastin and Justin Bua

Contact Info:

• Website: Creativepaving.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativepavingsolutions/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/