We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ana C. Barajas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ana C. , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Our mission was born out of heartbreak; but it turned into a purpose. A few years ago, I hired a contractor to renovate my home. What started with excitement and dreams of a fresh start ended in devastation: the contractor disappeared with my life savings, leaving my house gutted and unlivable. I felt helpless, with no recourse and no system in place to protect me.
That experience opened my eyes to a painful truth: the construction industry operates on trust, but often without safeguards. Property owners are expected to hand over large sums of money and simply hope the work gets done. And when it doesn’t, you quickly discover how unprotected you truly are. Scammers posing as reliable contractors are more common than we’d like to admit. Even good contractors can run into financial trouble midway through a project and without protections in place, everyone loses.
And it’s not just property owners who suffer. Good contractors are often left chasing unpaid invoices, struggling to collect what they’re owed. They resort to filing liens, which rarely guarantee payment, and face cash flow problems that can jeopardize their business. In the end, both sides are vulnerable.
When things fall apart, most property owners are left scrambling for answers. You start looking for alternatives, only to realize you’re completely alone. The laws don’t favor you, and if you want to recover your funds, you’ll need to hire an attorney, paying thousands more with no guarantee of getting a penny back.
That’s why I co-founded Build Safe Escrow. Our mission is to bring transparency, accountability, and protection to an industry that desperately needs it. We use milestone-based escrow to ensure that money only moves when work is verified, giving both property owners and contractors peace of mind.
This mission matters because I’ve lived the consequences of a broken system. And now, I’m building the solution I wish had existed for me, so no one else, has to learn the hard way.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Ana C. Barajas, and I’m the Co-founder of Build Safe Escrow. The idea for the company came after experiencing firsthand how unprotected property owners are in the construction process. That experience was the spark; but Build Safe Escrow is the solution.
Build Safe Escrow offers milestone-based escrow and draw services designed specifically for the construction and renovation industry. We serve property owners, developers, investors, HOA and condo managers, and contractors; anyone involved in a project where funds, timelines, and trust matter. Our process is simple: project funds are held in a secure, neutral third-party account and disbursed only when verified milestones are reached. This ensures that property owners only pay for completed work, and contractors receive full, on-time payments without having to chase invoices or rely on trust alone.
What truly sets Build Safe Escrow apart is our ability to protect all parties involved. If a contractor walks off the job, files for bankruptcy, or the company shuts down mid-project, remaining funds are returned to the property owner; allowing them to hire a new professional and keep the project moving forward. On the flip side, good contractors benefit too; they no longer have to deal with delayed payments, payment disputes, or the burden of filing liens just to get paid for their work.
To build this company on a strong foundation, I partnered with Jennie G. Farshchian, a respected real estate and probate attorney and the CEO of Marina Title, a Florida-based title company with over a decade of experience in escrow management and title searches. Today, Build Safe Escrow operates under the Marina Title umbrella, benefiting from their proven expertise, regulatory knowledge, and trusted reputation in the escrow and real estate space.
At our core, we’re not just offering a financial tool; we’re helping change how construction is done. We’re proud to lead a movement that brings transparency, accountability, and protection into a space that’s long needed it. Whether it’s a kitchen remodel or a multi-million-dollar development, Build Safe Escrow ensures everyone involved has peace of mind and a clear path forward.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Jennie and I met over 25 years ago while we were both attending college in Florida. From the very beginning, I was inspired by her drive, her entrepreneurial mindset, and the way she carried herself with both confidence and integrity. It was easy to become friends; we naturally connected through our shared ambition and mutual respect.
One thing I’ve always admired about Jennie is that she’s not just someone who gives advice; she’s someone who’s lived it. She’s rolled up her sleeves, taken risks, and built multiple businesses from the ground up. Watching her create and lead, especially in her role as CEO of Marina Title, has always been inspiring. Whenever I’ve had a business idea or found myself unsure of the next step, she’s the first person I turn to. Not just because I trust her, but because I know she’s speaking from real, hard-earned experience; not theory or guesswork.
When I went through my own home renovation nightmare, Jennie was one of the first people I called. We started brainstorming possible solutions; ways to prevent others from experiencing the same financial and emotional stress I had gone through. Around that same time, Jennie had also been receiving multiple requests from contractors; pool builders, roofers, and other trades, who needed escrow solutions but didn’t require title services. They were struggling to collect payments, dealing with disputes, and looking for a more structured, reliable system.
That’s when it clicked. There was a clear gap in the market for a specialized escrow service tailored to construction projects outside of traditional real estate transactions. Out of those conversations, Build Safe Escrow was born; a solution rooted in real-life need, backed by legal and operational expertise, and designed to bring trust and protection to an industry that desperately needs both.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
For us, the most effective strategy for growing our clientele has always been simple: offer an exceptional service that people genuinely value. When you solve a real problem and do it well, people not only come back; they bring others with them. We’ve found that satisfied clients become our strongest advocates. They’re the best affiliate network you can ask for; referring friends, family, and colleagues because they believe in what we do.
At Build Safe Escrow, we focus on creating a seamless, secure experience that gives both property owners and contractors peace of mind. That kind of impact is hard to ignore. People remember how you made them feel safe, protected, and respected throughout the process. And that experience becomes the foundation for organic, sustainable growth.
Of course, we also invest in outreach and education, but nothing compares to the power of word-of-mouth fueled by trust. Our clients have opened doors we never expected, simply because we delivered on our promise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BuildSafeEscrow.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildsafeescrow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/build-safe-escrow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BuildSafeEscrow
