Planning for a Happy New Year

As 2014 approaches its end, I would like to solemnly thank all of our readers and clients for another successful year. I know many of you have also been experiencing success because of the commitment you carry for your clients and the countertop industry. In addition, I would like to say hello to all of our new readers and hope that you are all as content with the thousands of hours you have poured into your businesses over the course of the year. We hope we have helped and will continue to help you meet the demands placed before you.

That being said, the end of the year is the best time to consider where your business is going into the next. Perhaps you are content with the niche you have carved in your market, but if you are like us, you have your sights set on continued expansion. Even if you can't make a major leap forward in 2015, there are still many options available to grow your business in small ways that will put you in a better position.

The first step to expansion is to think about the possibility and attempt to predict where the market is open. You will want to take a look at the organizational structure of your business and the resources you have available to you. How will they support your plan or vision? You will also want to observe the market from a vantage point that allows you to see the big picture and the forces driving it.

The next step to take in expanding your business is to develop a marketing plan. A solid marketing strategy is the best tool you have in growing your business. When you understand your target market and your competition, you will be able to put yourself in a better position. Some companies will have the resources to accomplish the development of a plan in house, but others may want to consider hiring outside help.

After you develop a plan, it must be maintained, at a bare minimum, on an annual basis. One aspect of your plan should be to consider all of the resources available to you, and to consider how technology has affected traditional marketing. Nielsen, one of the leading research companies in the world, predicts that by 2015, Internet advertising will comprise a full quarter of the market, which is up from 16 percent just four short years ago.

If you have a decent Internet presence, then good for you! You are doing something right that will play big in the future. You should consider Internet advertising to reach your potential customers and gain trackable and measurable leads. If you do not have a strong Internet presence or no web activity at all, DO SOMETHING NOW. If you do nothing else, make sure you have a website! Even a basic site that shows your products and services, contact information and some photos of your work can make a big difference. And. If you do not use social media, START NOW. Even if you have one of your employees spend a few minutes a day posting on a few social media feeds for your company, it can (and likely will) make a difference. 

Whatever your plan is for 2015, the first step is having one. If there is anything we can do to help you expand or better your business, let us know. It is our goal to provide you with the information you need, and we also have Internet expertise on staff that may be able to assist you in getting one step closer to your ultimate vision. Good luck in 2015.

Sincerely,

Brian Jones, Editor

www.CountertopResource.com
info@countertopresource.com

Rennovation and Do-it-yourself Countertops

A trend in home improvement and restoration is seeing a growing number of people completing home renovations on a do-it-yourself basis. For the most part, this has traditionally been done by contractors and retirees, but new products and innovations are leading a new breed of homeowner to attempt these feats themselves. When it comes to kitchen renovations, nothing tops countertops, and while some DIY renovators have come up with some truly unique and impressive designs, others are simply buying epoxy or urethane overcoats. These products are marketed as a revolution in technology that gives buyers a like-new countertop for less than $100, but are they getting all that is being promised?

Unique Countertops from Scratch

While epoxy coating is being used by people of all types and skill levels in attempts to improve existing countertops, others actually have the talent, time and experience to create some truly unique designs. Some of these designs use concrete, and others employ backlighting technology, both of which are being routinely accomplished by contractors in every major city. However, others have built masterpieces that can be seen nowhere else in the world. Of course, some are completely novel, like the countertop made of pennies we featured in 2013 or this new countertop constructed of 20,000 Lego blocks.

The Backlighting Trend

Not everyone is savvy enough to complete their own backlighting projects, but at least one homeowner has done so using a new technology known as SLABlite from Tylerco, Inc. Other backlighting options are available, such as those from Nu World, Outwater and Evo-Lite, but none of them are as well suited to DIY projects. That being said, if reader interest here at CountertopResource.com is any indication, backlit countertops are dramatically increasing in popularity, and they offer aesthetic appeal and ambiance that is difficult to match in low-light environments.

Epoxy to the Rescue?

Now, the heart of the matter and the whole reason I developed this blog post is that homeowners are increasingly being steered to complete countertop restorations on their own with over-the-counter epoxy products. While, in my opinion, trying to save money on a kitchen rennovation by making or refinishing your countertops is a bad idea, it is happening. This trend has been reinforced by the concrete flooring industry, with which I have a marginal relationship through writing promotional material. Since polished concrete was “invented,” or more aptly discovered, in the 1990s, it has become a popular option for floors of all types, including those in residential living spaces. The companies that install polished concrete floors recommend that they be coated with epoxy for protection, texture or color enhancement, and this has seemingly carried over into the countertop industry.


Epoxy coatings are available in a variety of types, and some of the work people have done with them is extraordinary in appearance. For instance, this woman created an amazing faux marble countertop using a combination of paint, glitter and epoxy for less than $30. In addition, this epoxy coating distributor based in Grand Junction, Colo., offers classes for both contractors and DIY homeowners and has some impressive work displayed on its website. Not only that, but major home-improvement box stores, such as Home Depot are providing consumers step-by-step instructions for homeowners to complete this work without the help of professional contractors. Finally, the DIY guru himself, Bob Vila, teaches the process through written instructions and video tutorials.

What I am curious to discover, and what I hope my readers hope to know, is what, exactly is the stance taken by fabricators and professional installers concerning DIY epoxy countertop coatings? What do you tell customers who want this service? Do you steer them toward higher-end resurfacing or try to sell them on the benefits of a total replacement? Do you offer professional epoxy restoration? What pitfalls should homeowners be warned about with the products available off the shelf? Do you offer superior service or an epoxy product not available in the retail consumer market.
If you have any experience with this or if you can answer any of the above questions, we want to hear from you. Feel free to tell us your story in the comments below or drop me an email at info@countertopresource.com. I look forward to what you have to say.