The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to shine a spotlight on Justin Hobart in our Community Proud series, sponsored by Charter Oak Credit Union. Justin is the founder of Hobart & Company and HUE. Through both businesses, she helps people restore their homes and develop a more personal connection to the spaces around them.

Justin founded Hobart & Company in 2009. The primarily female-owned and operated painting company specializes in historic restoration and custom finishes. Trust and reliability guide every project. Pride in the finished work is equally important. Painting and restoration require physical strength and careful attention. Justin’s team brings both qualities to every home. Crew members are committed to the craft and to the people who have trusted them with their properties.

Historic restoration carries a special responsibility. A project must honor the original architecture while creating a finish that works for the people living there today. Color choices must also support the character of the building. An intentional palette can enhance historic details and help the architecture feel complete.

Justin and her crew approach each home as if it were their own. They listen to their clients and explain the process. They also include homeowners in the decisions that matter most. This care has led many clients to seek their guidance on restoration needs and other skilled local tradespeople.

Justin describes the company’s commitment in her own words. “Our goal is to always leave our homes and our clients to the best possible finish and restoration and with leaving our clients with a renewed connection to their home.” The intention is not simply to improve the appearance of a room. Her work enhances the environment and changes how people experience their surroundings. When a space reflects the people who live there, it can offer comfort and a stronger sense of belonging.

The beginning of Justin’s painting career came during a difficult period in her life. She started by preparing houses with peeling paint. The physical process of removing damaged layers became part of her own healing. As she restored historic homes, she often felt that she was also restoring something within herself.

For the first two years, Justin viewed the company as something temporary. Over time, she recognized that the work reflected who she truly was. Painting and restoration were not simply jobs. They were part of her life’s direction.

That understanding influenced how she built her team. Justin looks for women in the trade who are hardworking and sincere. She values people who care deeply about their work and the homeowners they serve. Several crew members have remained with the company for years.

Justin takes pride in being a quality employer and watching her team members grow. She has seen employees gain confidence and develop new strengths through their work. Team members support one another and bring genuine enthusiasm to their projects.

Health and balance are also important parts of the company culture. Justin appreciates how health-conscious her team is and how they encourage one another. That positive energy carries into their work and the relationships they build with clients.

HUE became the next chapter of Justin’s journey. While studying psychology in college, she wrote papers about color and its effect on people. She was fascinated by the connection between our surroundings and our emotions.

Justin had also provided personal design guidance to clients for years. She remembers seeing three bluebirds in her backyard during an important moment of reflection. She felt they represented her mother and gave her clarity about starting HUE. Trusting that moment helped her move forward.

Through HUE, Justin creates custom color palettes based on the people who will live with them. She considers their stories and the natural light within each space. She also looks at the elements that must remain and asks how the client wants to feel each day.

Justin does not believe color should be chosen only because it is popular. It should have intention and create the right experience for the person entering the room. When the right color does not exist, she creates it.

HUE can develop palettes for homes and offices. The service can support one room or guide a larger project. Justin believes a home should allow people to exhale when they walk through the door. Color can make a space feel calmer and give people a fresh appreciation for where they live.

Hobart & Company provides the craftsmanship that brings those choices to life. HUE provides the personal design behind them. The businesses have different energies, but each reflects Justin’s belief that our surroundings affect how we feel.

Both businesses are rooted in the historic homes and coastal light of southeastern New England. Justin understands that restoring these properties helps preserve the region’s character. She also believes the work should honor the people who currently call those buildings home.

Authenticity and trust guide the way Justin communicates with clients. Those values allow her to form personal relationships that often continue after the work is finished. Clients know they will receive a team that is committed to the craft and respectful of their home.

Justin’s faith remains a strong part of her life. She also believes in approaching each day with an attitude of gratitude. She is thankful for her work and the clients who trust her. She is equally grateful for the team that has grown alongside her.

Outside of work, Justin makes balance a priority and gets a lot of fulfillment out of a very active lifestyle.  She enjoys going to the gym and is often on the pickleball court! Growing up in this area has given Justin a great appreciation for the culinary scene that Mystic has to offer. Something that not many people know about her is that she loves to explore color by painting on large canvases. The art isn’t always perfect, but it’s personal. Some of her favorite activities include boating, spending time in her garden,  power walking with friends and spending time with her two dogs. 

Justin knows that difficult situations are part of life, but she believes people have a choice in how they respond. That perspective has shaped her personal growth and the businesses she leads. What began as a way to heal became a career built around restoration.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Justin Hobart. We thank her for preserving the architectural character of our community and helping people feel more connected to the places they call home.

About the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce

For more than 80 years, the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce has served as the business voice for Groton and Stonington. Its service also includes Mystic and the surrounding region. The Chamber advocates for business and tourism while promoting valuable partnerships. It provides benefits and services to its members and supports local economic development.

The Chamber sponsors community events and promotes local businesses. It also supports the regional tourism industry. The organization serves as a resource for small business owners and provides opportunities for community involvement. It also represents its members before local government.