Today we’d like to introduce you to Besmir “Besi” Gjini.
Hi Besmir “Besi”, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After a long and fulfilling career in the hospitality industry, I decided it was time for a change; one that would let me create with my hands and see something real take shape at the end of each day. I’ve always been drawn to the process of building and problem-solving, and in many ways, hospitality prepared me perfectly for construction. It taught me how to think on my feet, manage details, and connect with people; skills that now help me turn my clients’ visions into reality.
My interest in building started long before I ever picked up a hammer. My father was a civil engineer back in Albania, and I grew up surrounded by his blueprints and drawings. After he passed away when I was a child, I would spend hours studying those old plans, fascinated by how something so intricate on paper could become a structure in real life. That curiosity never left me, it just took time to find its place.
After working for several years in the fast-paced, high-end construction industry in Staten Island, I moved to Michigan to build a more family-centered life for when my wife and daughter joined me in the United States. In 2019, I took a leap of faith and started my own company, Dea Contractor, named after my firstborn daughter, Dea. She was named Dea, one of the first princesses of Albania, and represents strength, creativity, and legacy.
When I first started, the business focused on moderate repairs and granite and marble installation. Over time, through hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to quality, we grew into a full residential design-build company. Today, I’m proud to have a team of talented carpenters and a designer who share my vision of combining craftsmanship with customer care. We’ve also expanded into mid-sized commercial projects, including work within several regional airports across the East and Midwest.
For me, construction is more than just a business, it’s a way to honor my family, my heritage, and the values I was raised with. Every project tells a story, and I take pride in helping clients shape spaces that reflect their lives and aspirations. At the end of the day, what drives me is simple: I love creating something that lasts.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business is never easy, especially without financial backing, loans, or investors. For me, it all began with hard work, persistence, and a willingness to sacrifice. Every dollar I earned was saved and reinvested into my growing company.
Unlike many construction firms that are family operations, I started out entirely on my own, handling every aspect of the business myself. There were days when I drove a van that barely ran and wore shoes that had seen better days, but I refused to give up. I wanted to build something meaningful, something my daughter could be proud of.
If I could have cloned myself, I would have. But I quickly learned that growth meant surrounding myself with the right people. I recognized that my English needed improvement, so I worked on it every day. I also made a strategic decision to bring on a local interior designer to handle initial client contact. Her professionalism and creative insight helped balance the rough-around-the-edges image that often comes with construction work, offering clients a warmer and more approachable experience.
Together, we built more than just homes. We built trust, credibility, and a name our community could rely on. Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come. With no capital, no shortcuts, and plenty of determination, we turned hard work into a thriving business and a future my daughter will inherit.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Dea Contractor specializes in complete residential remodeling services, guiding each project from concept to completion. Fully licensed and insured, our team begins by meeting with clients to understand their vision and create a detailed, tailored estimate based on their needs.
Once the contract is signed, our in-house designer takes the lead—meeting with the client, measuring the space, creating blueprints, and helping select materials that bring their ideas to life. When all decisions are made and materials are ordered, we move into the construction phase. Throughout the process, we take every precaution possible to minimize the stress that often comes with remodeling. In the end, our goal is simple: to make our clients happy and ensure they come home to a house they truly love.
Our commercial division operates a bit differently. Instead of homeowners, we collaborate with large general contracting firms, building owners, and investors. Many of these projects bring me back to my hospitality roots—most often restaurants and bars—but we also take on commercial office buildouts and other large-scale developments.
What truly sets Dea Contractor apart is the extensive network I’ve built over the years. From master tile installers who’ve worked on Gucci and Versace showrooms in Italy, to top-tier finish carpenters and global connections with manufacturers of windows, cabinets, glass, and stone—I have trusted partners in nearly every trade and in almost any state. Need a specialist on short notice? I know the right person. These relationships have been built through years of trust and mutual respect. I’ll never forget the night I thought a client had a leak; one call at 10 p.m. and my team was ready to roll within minutes. Luckily, it turned out to be a false alarm—but their willingness to act says everything about the kind of people I work with.
At the heart of it all, we genuinely care about making every house a home. I often find myself more meticulous than the clients, inspecting work daily and redoing anything that doesn’t meet my standards. My name and reputation are on every brushstroke, every cut of wood, and every tile laid. That level of pride and care is what defines Dea Contractor—and it’s why our clients trust us to turn their visions into reality.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that often surprises my clients is that, in a past life, I was a sommelier. One quick glance at their wine fridge or collection, and I can’t help but start a conversation about vintages or recommend a few bottles they might enjoy.
My true passion projects are the ones that allow me to combine both worlds—when I get the chance to design and build a custom wine cellar. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating a space where craftsmanship meets my personal passion.
And, of course, at the end of every project, I love to celebrate with a toast—usually with their favorite bottle of wine. It’s the perfect way to mark the completion of a job well done and to say, “until next time.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deacontractors.com
- Instagram: dea_contractor.llc
