Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Urrea.
Hi Jacob, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a construction family—my stepdad, uncles, and cousins all worked in the trades. As a young boy, I remember falling asleep under a Little Tikes tool bench. I naturally took to construction and picked up the skills quickly. I also learned the value of hard work—one summer day in high school, my brothers and I worked 14 hours straight without a break. The all-you-can-eat pizza afterward never tasted so good.
As a teenager, my life was transformed by Jesus when I discovered the unconditional love I truly needed. From that moment, I knew I wanted to help other teens find the same hope I had found. I pursued that calling by going to college to become a student pastor, pouring the same grit and work ethic I learned from construction into preparing for ministry. I earned a B.A. in Student Ministry from Nebraska Christian College and completed a leadership residency at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, where I earned my M.A. in Strategic Leadership from Johnson University.
After serving five years as a Student Pastor in Rochester, I made a hard decision to transition into plumbing. I needed to better provide for my family—especially with a major dental surgery that cost more than my annual salary in ministry.
While working in plumbing in Omaha, Nebraska, I found I truly enjoyed the trade and learned quickly. But I also realized I wanted more control over my future. The idea of relying on someone else to secure my family’s long-term provision didn’t sit well with me. Opening a plumbing business, however, required five years of experience and multiple licenses—I was too impatient for that. I wanted to build something sooner.
My wife and I decided to move back to Rochester to be closer to family, but plumbing jobs were scarce—most companies only hired licensed plumbers with years of experience.
At that crossroads, I made the leap and opened my own remodeling company. I had previously worked for a Top 500 luxury remodeling firm and had grown up around construction, so I felt confident. I filed my LLC, applied for my general contractor’s license… and then told my wife! Thankfully, even though I made that decision before talking it through with her, she graciously became my biggest supporter and is now glad I did.
Around the same time, I had the opportunity to help build a few homes with Mike Allen Homes here in Rochester. That experience gave me valuable insights into new construction, and I’m grateful for Mike and his top-notch team.
My first remodeling project came quickly—a bathroom with stunning alder woodwork, including a custom barn door I built myself. It’s still one of my favorite photos of my work.
Not long ago, someone commented how both I and another former student pastor were thriving after our time in ministry. It made me reflect on how many skills from pastoring transfer into business. As a student pastor, I learned to recruit, train, and support volunteers, manage budgets, handle admin and marketing, build systems, and communicate clearly—especially to teenagers. If you couldn’t engage them from the stage, you lost them instantly. Their brutal honesty made me better.
Those same leadership muscles now help me lead my business.
Today, as a remodeling contractor, I’m responsible for identifying and training a team of top-tier subcontractors, managing finances and project budgets, marketing through video and networking, handling contracts, and crafting an amazing customer journey.
This year, I invested in a full brand rollout—new website, vehicle wrap, uniforms, stationery, and radio ads—through KickCharge Creative, an award-winning branding agency from New Jersey.
As I continue to grow Inner Magic Kitchen & Bath, I’m working on hiring an administrative assistant so I can spend more time developing the business, leading our team in the field, and focusing on what I love and do best: Creating Magic Inside Every Home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced—and one that most construction companies run into early on—is generating enough project leads. Many contractors are great at doing the work. But if that’s all you do, you’re functioning like an employee, not a business owner.
If we, as construction business owners, don’t value our time enough to charge business rates—not just labor rates—we’ll never generate the income needed to grow beyond a paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.
The turning point for me was learning to attract homeowners who value more than just a finished project—they value a stress-free, professional process. That’s who I target in my marketing.
Many homeowners base project cost on hours spent on-site, but that’s only part of the equation. Staying visible in a competitive market is expensive. As one industry veteran told me, it can take 10 years for a company to be known just through word of mouth. We can’t afford to wait that long—we must market intentionally, while also taking advantage of every free opportunity we can.
Beyond visibility, even the best products and subcontractors occasionally fail. That’s just reality. If your pricing doesn’t include margin to handle those issues with integrity, your reputation can take a hit—and once that’s gone, it’s hard to earn back.
I plan to be in business for decades. That’s why I price my work to cover the real cost of delivering on every promise—with integrity, professionalism, and long-term accountability.
As you know, we’re big fans of Inner Magic Kitchen & Bath. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Inner Magic Kitchen & Bath, we specialize in high-quality, stress-free kitchen and bathroom remodeling for homeowners who want more than just beautiful results—they want a smooth, professional experience from start to finish.
We’re known for our clear communication, trusted subcontractor teams, and detailed project management. What sets us apart is that we don’t just remodel spaces—we create a process that removes confusion, reduces stress, and gives homeowners confidence every step of the way. Remodeling should feel exciting, not overwhelming.
Our roots are in both construction and leadership. I grew up in the trades and later worked as a student pastor, so leading people with integrity is in my DNA. I bring that same mindset into every project: we’re not just building kitchens and baths—we’re building trust.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how we’ve made Inner Magic Kitchen & Bath feel personal yet professional. From our custom van wrap to our new website, uniforms, and radio ads—everything reflects who we are: down-to-earth professionals committed to excellence.
We want your everyone to know this: We’re not a big franchise. We’re a small, locally-owned company with high standards, deep values, and a heart for helping homeowners fall back in love with their homes. If you care about quality work, honest leadership, and a clean, enjoyable remodeling experience—we’d be honored to earn your trust.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like most about Rochester is the strong sense of community and the values people live by here. It’s a city where people care—about their families, their homes, and their future. That makes what we do at Inner Magic Kitchen & Bath even more meaningful. When we remodel a space, we’re not just changing how it looks—we’re improving how a family lives and feels in their home.
I also love the simple things that keep me grounded here. Café Steam is my go-to coffee spot—it’s where I grab a great large hot mocha, reflect on life, and do some creative thinking about faith and business. And when I need to recharge or clear my head, I hit the bike trails around Rochester. They’re peaceful, beautiful, and the perfect space to reset mentally and physically. Some of my best ideas have come while riding those trails.
What I like least? Honestly, the long winters. They make jobsite logistics harder and slow down certain phases of remodeling. But they’ve also taught me to plan ahead, build buffer into our projects, and operate with more discipline. Like anything in business and life, the challenges sharpen you if you let them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.callinnermagic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callinnermagic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnerMagicKitchenandBath
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@callinnermagic
- Other: https://business.rochesterareabuilders.com/list/member/inner-magic-kitchen-bath-7304
