Justin & Ariela Bakken
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Justin Bakken is the CEO of Xtra Mile Construction. Having been raised in the construction environment, Justin brings over 16 years of experience and knowledge of the trades. He surrounds himself with mentors in the industry as well as a professional business coach to help along the way.
Clients are likely to first meet him at their consultation, as he is Xtra Mile's primary estimator. They quickly find Justin to be a great resource, leader, and friend.
Ariela Bakken is a home remodeler with a love for gardening. Alongside her husband of 13 years, Justin Baaken, she co-owns Xtra Mile Construction, where they help families turn houses into homes. Ariela believes home isn’t just a place—it’s a lifestyle, where our stories, cultures, gardens, families, and dreams all grow together. That philosophy shapes everything she does, from designing beautiful spaces to creating places where people truly feel at home. Born in Guatemala and adopted into a Minnesota family, Ariela is a blend of her Guatemalan heritage and Midwestern roots.
When she’s not leading remodeling projects, you’ll find her in the garden, caring for her animals, planning her next adventure, or curled up with library books on regenerative gardening, homesteading, animal care, history, or learning a new language. She believes there’s always something new to discover. As an author, entrepreneur, and lifelong dreamer, Ariela shares stories of hope, resilience, and purpose. Her own journey, from orphanage in Guatemala to business owner, has shaped her belief that beginnings may shape us, but don’t define our future. Through her work and writing, she hopes to inspire others to build lives filled with beauty, purpose, adventure, and joy.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- That remodeling is about helping people experience their home differently without leaving the address they already call home.
- How to identify what is no longer working in your home and discover what is possible for the same space.
- How to look at how people actually live before recommending a remodel that fits their next chapter.
- Why listening to homeowners first reveals frustrations with their current space that create everyday problems.
- How to create more peace, love, and joy in the way you experience your home and daily life.
- That construction challenges are inevitable, but the right contractor will be there through them and do their best.
- Why a home tied to the human experience often needs to change as families grow and life evolves.
- How to transform the same address into a home that supports the people and relationships that matter most.
- Why most homeowners do not know what is possible with the home they already have until they see options.
- How to create spaces that better support everyday life without the stress of moving to a new home.
about the show
America’s Top Contractors is a cinematic business documentary series featuring the general contractors, trade experts, construction company owners, and industry leaders who bring projects to life through skill, leadership, and execution.
Each episode takes viewers inside the story behind a successful contractor, showing what it takes to win jobs, manage crews, solve problems, serve clients, and grow in one of the most demanding industries in business.
The series highlights contractors working across residential construction, commercial projects, remodeling, specialized trades, and large-scale service operations. These are the men and women who understand pressure, deadlines, budgets, safety, quality, and the responsibility that comes with leading teams in the field.
America’s Top Contractors goes beyond the finished project to show the decisions, setbacks, sacrifices, and lessons behind building a respected construction business.
For featured guests, the series provides a platform to share their story, build authority, and showcase the experience, standards, and leadership behind the work they do every day.
