Story & Lesson Highlights with KATY BONELLO of Southwest Minneapolis

KATY BONELLO shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning KATY, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My son just turned two in May and my husband and I have started taking him on vacations or little day trips here and there. He’s a great traveler and we love seeing the world through his eyes.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Katy Bonello. I am a licensed general contractor in Minnesota, and I have been in the remodeling business now for over ten years. My company, KJB Homes, specializes in serving the Minneapolis and Edina areas, and we have completed over a hundred remodels throughout the Twin Cities since 2015. We help our clients design and implement anything from a kitchen or basement all the way up to an ADU or large addition – we can do it all. The KJB Homes brand is also affiliated with an award-winning real estate team, and so we pride ourselves on being a one stop shop for home design, remodeling, and real estate, making us a truly unique company within the housing industry.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I grew up wanting to be a veterinarian, and was actually accepted to the University of Melbourne to study veterinary science. However, I ended up at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities studying journalism instead, which led to a dead end upon graduation; the recession made jobs in that industry few and far between. When my dad saw me at a crossroads several years later, after having taken jobs that didn’t challenge me or bring me any professional satisfaction, he suggested that I try remodeling and learn the ins and outs of the housing industry by working with him. I had never considered joining the family construction business, because construction was for men. “No it isn’t,” he said, “you’d be great at it.” That sentiment was all I needed to give it a try; my dad believed I could do it, so…I believed it, too. Fast forward a year and I was studying to take my exam to become a contractor, because I truly felt like I’d found a career path that I could be passionate about. I never would have gotten to where I am without that first suggestion from my dad. He convinced me to try something that I never would have thought to without his encouragement.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You can do anything that you set your mind to. You’re stronger than you think you are.

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. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My husband’s! He is a perfect business partner, because we both have very different roles within our company that play on our individual strengths, and we heavily rely on one another to keep our business running smoothly. One of my favorite things about working with him is that he has great ideas and regularly provides fresh perspectives on design planning, management, and process improvement, and since he joined the KJB Homes team in 2019, our operation has continued to evolve and improve exponentially. We are a very good team.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
It’s difficult to get through the daily grind without feeling appreciated, but yes, I could, as long as I truly believed I was doing everything to the best of my ability.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kjbhomesmn.com/about-us
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjbhomesmpls?igsh=d3gxd2M4dHljMDRu