So you have seen Concrete Countertops shown on the DIY Network or HGTV.

Whether you are a “Do It Yourself” owner or you love the art and functionality of concrete, you now want to start your own concrete countertop project or business. The question is how do I get started in the concrete countertop business with the right material and tools?

1. First, you need to figure out if you prefer to pour-in-place your concrete countertops or precast the concrete countertops. There are pr’s and cons to both, but as you look at which concrete countertop bag mix or formula you choose, it will generally lend itself to a particular  pouring style. There are many qualified manufacturers of concrete countertop bag  mixes and formulas. So you need to look at the positive and negative aspects of each material and match that up against what tools, tables, and space you will need in order to work with them.
2. Next you need to choose a casting deck surface and forming system. Typically, many applicators of concrete countertops choose products such as expanded PVC, melamine, glass, wood or polished steel for their casting deck. As for the form rails we tell each person to find a material they can work quickly and simply with. A lot of time can be wasted by using certain materials, therefore the upfront smaller cost on materials can easily become more expensive due to the taxing amount of time needed to complete the task.
3. Lastly, you need to think of finishing materials that will transform your concrete countertop into a functional masterpiece. These items can include concrete integral color, concrete stains, concrete sealers, concrete edge details and sink molds and other small tools.

One of the biggest issues one can have when starting up a concrete countertop business, is dealing with multiple vendors for materials. This can be taxing and difficult to manage the availability of materials needed for a project along with the extra time spent ordering and waiting. Thats why we  were happy to find SureCrete Design. The took the time not only to invest in the latest concrete countertop technology for mix designs, but also brought in house some of the best choices for countertop forming systems, Eco-friendly concrete stains,  reusable concrete edge details, concrete sink molds and a variety of concrete countertop sealers, which can ensure the beauty and stain resistance of your artwork.  Everything you need for your concrete countertop business under one roof!

Because of the simplicity that SureCrete brings to the  ”Do It Yourself” owner or the contractor looking to start their own concrete countertop business. They have been featured on networks such as DIY Network and HGTV.  Below are some links to that information:

Xtreme Countertop used on DIY Network’s “Yard Crashers”

Custom Concrete Leaf Outdoor Kitchen Countertop - Click Here

Custom wood and concrete outdoor table - Click Here

Xtreme Countertop featured on the DIY Network - Click Here

Although learning on your own can be fun and exciting, it can also take time to become proficient. You may want to consider taking a concrete countertop training course or seminar. While many companies offer classes, choose one that will help you understand the aspects of the business not just designs, colors and textures. This knowledge will help you reproduce your projects with quality and consistency, which will help drive profit margins and customer satisfaction. We suggest looking at the Xtreme Series Precast Countertop Fabrication courses. You can find more about that in another article. Click here

Remember, when you know how to do something correctly it becomes a lot more fun. And what better job to have, than one you can have fun with and let your inner child come out.

Enjoy your startup into concrete countertops!

Can you reduce your budget and still grow your company name and provide an increase in your lead generation?

The answer is YES! The process for achieving this is not always an easy task. Lets take a look at some FREE advertising opportunities and some smart internal marketing options.

Showcase Your Company
A great way to increase your company’s name and the type of work you specialize in is the ability to put your work on display for large audiences. Many people instantly think of trade shows, although these can be great opportunities, they can also be expensive. However the concept behind it is sound.

Throughout most of the United States, major grocery stores (Publix, Sweetbay, Albertson’s, ect..) or wholesale department stores (like Sam’s Club or Costco) begin to put up specific displays to promote products.

For example In a grocery store they have a promotion to push holiday treats or items for grilling. They will create a booth to create a unique look to catch the attention of their shoppers. This is now an opportunity for you to offer a display concept like an outdoor kitchen or a miniature waterfall that they can incorporate into their promotion. In most cases the store manager has no fee or charge for this opportunity and appreciates an upscale look for his clients to enjoy and aids in catching their maximum attention. In addition most of these displays last for 3-6 weeks.

Direct Mail Options
So many choices are available that deciding on the smartest option can be difficult. Have you ever said to yourself that “I am not a marketing guy”, although that may be true it does not mean you cannot make wise decisions on what you choose and how often you use it. Here are some helpful tips:

Evaluate each option carefully – There are 3 aspects that should guide your decision; purpose of the publication or piece, cost, actual direct mailed # (do not be fooled by total distribution # these are 2 separate amounts).

1.) Type of Publication
Just because something is cheap does not make it a great opportunity. Look at the size of ads on display and what other advertisers are marketing. If the bulk of the advertisers are quick buys like; pizza coupons, dry cleaning, $1-$20 coupons that should give you a sign to that publications ideal reader. They look for inexpensive weekend purchases. If your ticket sale that you are advertising is $1000 – $10,000 does a person who is searching for Domino’s pizza coupons have the right mindset to benefit from your ad?

On the other hand if the publication is a lifestyle type you need to think about how you approach that demographic. In most cases they are looking for a wow factor. You may put a 10% off or $200 off coupon and not receive the response you were looking for. This could be more on the deisgn of your ad and not on the discount you are giving.

2.) Cost
As a former publisher of 3 magazines I will be the first to tell you that everything is negotiable. A full page ad has a lot of appeal to it but it does not mean it will work better than a 1/4 or 1/2 page ad. A Rate Sheet is the basis to start a conversation not your final deal. Look to structure a display ad with editorial opportunities. But do not get caught up with flaunting yourself. Doing an article talking about how you love the community and your kid goes to school locally will not necessarily create great business. Focus the article on the key points you have to explain on the first sales visit.

What might these be:

What fears or concerns do you have to overcome with your prospect?

What makes your product different from other options?

How do you work with clients during and after the project is over?

If you can use an editorial to put at ease the concerns or fears of your prospective owner, it will increase the quality of the leads you receive off of that direct mail piece. This concept is especially true in the home improvement industry were people get burned on a regular basis.

3.) Distribution vs amount actually mailed
First off DO NOT take a publication at its word. Many publications manipulate their actual printing and mailing numbers. Whether they are doing it on purpose or calculating “Readership” it does not really matter. What you want to know is how many are direct mailed, are they direct mailed at the same time and to see the latest US Postal record (This form should have a stamped seal from USPS and dated). If you take the price of your ad vs. the amount direct mailed this will allow you to manage your response and cost per home. Compare that to ALL direct mail options and you can quickly figure out the smartest choice for your company.

Article written by Tony Leff of SureCrete Design

* Appearance of personnel
* Appearance of company vehicles
* Business marketing materials
* Technique and Installation process

All of these points are very true. The most valuable asset you have is the reputation your company holds within the business community. If a job goes south on you, the repercussions can be devastating.

How can you protect yourself against tainting your company reputation?

Partner yourself with individuals that approach the job with the same respect that you do. Nothing is worse than creating a masterpiece for an owner and having the project become a nightmare.

When you look a the situation you realize your knowledge on the matter was sound, your employees who did the work were trained properly, your finishing technique was executed to perfection.

Where did this job go south and cause your company image to become tainted?

The answer to your dilemma could be in the company you choose to partner up with too supply your material. Inconsistency in the blending of the materials, cost & timing of delivery and poor technical support can be the result of cash flow issues within an organization. When this occurs many companies begin too cheat on their formulas or staff in order to compensate for poor cash flow. The result becomes increased pain and anxiety on your job sites as you struggle to explain the delays or failures in your projects.

We at SureCrete understand the pain and lingering effects that this has on your company’s reputation. Throughout the 2008 business year we have made changes at great expense to aid the Decorative and Specialty Concrete industry as a whole. We realize that if we do not support our suppliers and installers with a consistent reliable product, live technical support with an affordable cost structure we will no longer serve a purpose.

With that being said we would like the opportunity to partner with your company and be an asset to your reputation and image. Why do we feel this way?

* We blend ALL our materials ourselves which allows us to manage the quality and consistency of our product.
* Single Component Bag Mix’s reduce your shipping cost in 1/2.
* We have negotiated the BEST pallet rates in the industry to keep delivery costs low.
* We have made available 24/7 technical support.

We thank everyone for their business in 2008 and we look forward to serving you even better in the new year!
www.SureCreteDesign.com or 1-800-544-8488 for more information