founder of terrazzo specialist, llc.

I am Juan Carlos Hernandez, and founded Terrazzo Specialist with one simple belief: traditional in-situ terrazzo shouldn't be reserved for grand commercial spaces. Everyone-homeowners, small designers, artists-deserves the chance to have that classic, poured-in-place beauty in their projects, no matter how modest the scale. That idea has driven everything I've built since.

My journey started over a decade ago. I began as a union terrazzo worker, grinding, mixing, and polishing under the guidance of seasoned pros. I showed up early, stayed late, and approached every slab with the same respect—great work ethic, a positive attitude, and sheer perseverance. Those qualities didn’t go unnoticed. Before long, I was promoted to foreman at one of the most reputable companies in the field. Managing large-scale jobs taught me discipline and precision under pressure: hospitals where every detail had to meet strict health standards, and airports—including the newly constructed LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC)—where timelines were unforgiving and the stakes were sky-high. I handled those projects with the professionalism they demanded, learning that true craftsmanship shines brightest when the spotlight is on and the challenges are biggest.

But even as I led those big crews, I kept thinking about the smaller opportunities—the residential kitchens, boutique bathrooms, custom countertops—that rarely got the terrazzo treatment because of scale or complexity. That’s when the seed for Terrazzo Specialist took root. In November 2021, I launched my own company, determined to bring high-end, bespoke terrazzo to more accessible scales. Since then, we’ve collaborated with talented designers, artists, and architects on a string of small but high-profile projects across Los Angeles and beyond. We’ve poured floors, crafted countertops, built shower walls, and created one-of-a-kind surfaces that turn heads and last for generations.

Along the way, we’ve been fortunate to earn recognition in various articles and features, which has been humbling, but the real reward comes from the clients who walk into their space, run their hand over a freshly polished terrazzo surface, and smile because it feels both luxurious and deeply personal.

Today, with Terrazzo Specialist, I’m still hands-on—overseeing every pour, every grind, every detail—because this craft is about more than material; it’s about legacy. Whether it’s a countertop in a family home, a feature wall in a creative studio, or a commercial space, I pour my experience, my pride, and my belief into every project.