Alan Barra’s career of 25 years began when the North Chattanooga native stumbled into a refinishing shop at 19 years old. “I had no idea it was there,” Alan says. “I just happened to walk in.” The business owner was looking for an employee, so Alan started the next day and began learning the basics of refinishing work. “When pieces of furniture came in,” Alan recalls, “we would tear them apart, restructure, re-veneer, stain, and finish them.”
That job set Alan on the path that led him to where he is now, but his boss also became a mentor and friend. “We're still friends,” Alan says. “I only worked for him three years, but he's like a mentor.” Alan went on to work in another furniture refinishing shop before working in cabinet shops. It was through those jobs that he discovered his passion for cabinetry.
In 2016, he started his own business, Barra’s Cabinet Refinishing, and started out doing just refinishing projects. Starting his business was not the only change he experienced in 2016, however. That year, he also married his wife and they are now celebrating 10 years of marriage. Alan and his wife have two young children and live in a country town a short drive from Chattanooga—the perfect place for them to have family time.
“We try to do some kind of family outing every weekend,” Alan explains. “Monday through Friday, I’m at work. I see my kids in the evening for a couple of hours before they go to bed. But when it comes to the weekends, everything business-related is shut off. That’s time dedicated to my family.” As a family, they enjoy going to the skating rink, seeing live plays at the theater, shopping, and trying new restaurants. Alan says that sometimes, family time looks like simply playing outside in the backyard or going on walks. “I try to get the kids out of the house and spend time with them,” Alan says. “Anything that we can do as a family.”
The weekend time Alan gets with his family rejuvenates and motivates him for the work week ahead. “My wife and children are the backbone of what I do,” Alan shares. “I grew up very poor, so what I’m doing now, I’m doing for my children. I want to give them the life that I didn't have, and it drives my passion for what I do.”
Between the motivation from his family and his love for cabinetry, Alan is always expanding his knowledge to refine his craft. Committed to high-end, detail-driven work, he continually seeks out new techniques and skills to deliver the best possible results. When Alan is not with his family or watching cooking shows—he says he would likely be a chef if he had to choose another career—he is refining his skills so he can better serve his clients.
Even after running his business for 10 years, Alan still chooses to grow and learn. “I've made myself come out of my comfort zone and learn new things,” Alan says. “Any chance I get, I teach myself something new.” Because of this, his business is now rated one of the top companies for cabinetry in the Chattanooga area. “I'm very grateful and humbled to be in this position,” Alan says. “I never take it for granted.”
Barra’s Cabinet Refinishing, currently being rebranded as Barra’s Custom Cabinetry, continues to grow. The services Alan offers now include refinishing, modifications, refacing, full custom cabinets, and custom add-ons. Out of all of these, Alan says his favorite thing to do is refacing. “I like the change,” Alan says. “In a reface scenario—a reface being new doors and drawer faces—you could take an old kitchen and keep the existing layout but completely change the look of the kitchen through the cabinets.” Witnessing the joy on customers’ faces when they love the work that has been done is something Alan greatly enjoys as well. “That’s my favorite part of my job,” Alan shares. “Transition of spaces and giving people their dream kitchen.”
One of Alan’s favorite projects is featured on his website as a 30-second before and after video. “That project in particular, we were able to provide refinishing and refacing services, custom add-ons, and modification work,” Alan recalls. “She got most of our services in one job. Her kitchen in particular, because of some of the massive changes we made, is now unrecognizable to what it looked like prior.” Visit the homepage of his website, www.barrascabinetrefinishing.com, to see the transformation video.
“My wife and children are the backbone of what I do. I grew up very poor, so what I’m doing now, I’m doing for my children."
Alan is always expanding his knowledge to refine his craft. Committed to high-end, detail-driven work, he continually seeks out new techniques and skills to deliver the best possible results.
LEARN MORE: Visit the Barra's website to view a gallery of recent projects and find links to social media. Connect with Alan by phone at (423) 582-2888, email info@barrascabinetrefinishing.com, or reach out through the website contact form.
barrascabinetrefinishing.com | @barrascabinetrefinishing