Skip to main content

LACOSTA History & Timeline

With nearly 50 years of industry experience, LACOSTA’s roots trace back to the stories of two people, Karla Mota and Rob Johnson, who joined their families and businesses to create the premier facility services company.

A History of Family Businesses

LACOSTA History

In 1973, the Johnson family founded Bel Rae Floor Care out of small garage in Chicago. What started as a quaint operation grew quickly due to high demand for quality cleaning services.

Around the same time, Karla Mota (now Johnson) was working for her mother’s cleaning business. In 1983, Karla began her own company, LaCosta Cleaning Services, and eventually merged her new company with her mother’s.

Throughout the 70s and 80s, both the Johnsons and Motas successfully ran their parallel businesses without knowledge of the other’s existence. That is, until Robert Johnson and Karla Mota met at a golf tournament, immediately hitting it off and bonding over their passion for entrepreneurship.

Fast forward a few years, Karla and Rob married in 1993, ultimately merging not only their families, but their family businesses. Today, Rob and Karla still run the business alongside their son Jeffrey and the ever-expanding family of the LACOSTA team.

A Celebration of Heritage & Entrepreneurship

An acronym for Latin American Contractor of Service Trade & Associates, LACOSTA symbolizes both Karla’s entrepreneurial spirit and pride of her Latin roots. Representing two powerful minorities, LACOSTA is both a certified minority-owned business in the Chicago community.

From the humble beginnings of both Bel Rae and LaCosta, the company’s owners have focused on bringing value to their customers through personalized services and a genuine passion for people.

Through a shared love of entrepreneurship and a talent for developing lasting relationships with the community, the Johnson and Mota families have created a successful facility services company, offering both cleaning and insourced staffing solutions.

For a more in-depth look at LACOSTA’s history, we’ve provided a timeline below.

1973

The Johnson Family Starts Bel Rae Floor Care

The Johnson Family Starts Bel Rae Floor Care
1974

Our First 5S System is Born

Our First 5S System is Born
1987

Karla Mota Starts LaCosta with 4 Employees

Karla Mota Starts LaCosta with 4 Employees
1988

LACOSTA Receives Minority Business Enterprise Status

LACOSTA Receives Minority Business Enterprise Status
1993

Karla Mota & Rob Johnson Get Married

Karla Mota & Rob Johnson Get Married
2000

LACOSTA is Recognized by the United Way for Community Support

LACOSTA is Recognized by the United Way for Community Support
2002

LACOSTA is Featured in Fortune 500 Magazine

LACOSTA is Featured in Fortune 500 Magazine
2007

Bel Rae and LACOSTA Merge to Create LACOSTA Building Maintenance Services

Bel Rae and LACOSTA Merge to Create LACOSTA Building Maintenance Services
2010

LACOSTA Receives Corporate Plus Certified Minority Business Certification

LACOSTA Receives Corporate Plus Certified Minority Business Certification
2015

Company Title is Changed to LACOSTA Facility Support Services to Better Represent the Full Line of Services

Company Title is Changed to LACOSTA Facility Support Services to Better Represent the Full Line of Services
2020

LACOSTA Earns BSCAI Milestone Membership Award

LACOSTA Earns BSCAI Milestone Membership Award
2022

LACOSTA wins the Best of Wauconda award for the third straight year

LACOSTA wins the Best of Wauconda award for the third straight year