• What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

  I meet the customer at their home. I have them show me what they are looking to have worked on. I explain the process and often educate the customer on why they’re having a problem and how to prevent future problems. I then measure the square footage and write up an estimate. If they agree then we either get to work immediately or schedule a convenient time that works better for the customer.

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• What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

  I don’t believe any formal education can prepare you for this type of work. I have many years of experience cleaning and working on houses. Granite Shield has taught me a tremendous amount about natural stone. I do continuous research about different types of natural stone as well as other products on the market. After 18 years of hands on experience I still learn new things all the time. You really have to know what you’re doing. We have come up against really difficult situations before and had to consult other experts to solve problems. This is where you really learn something valuable. You can’t put a price on experience.

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• How did you get started doing this type of work?

  I used to be a spa dealer and outdoor kitchen designer. I sold very high end ticket items. Most countertops were granite, marble, or travertine. My customers would sometimes call me after spending thousands on an outdoor kitchen and ask me “what should I do because I just stained my countertop”? I did research and found that there was no other sealer better than Granite Shield. I became an authorized applicator and was trained by the owner/inventor Craig Philips. When the recession of 2007 started my store closed but I continued to seal granite and natural stone. It ended up being the best thing that could have happened. I really enjoy the sealing business and making customers happy.

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• What types of customers have you worked with?

  After 18 years we have worked with all types.

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• Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

  I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working for so many wonderful people. I’ve cleaned and sealed many beautiful pieces of natural stone too. I recently worked on an old tile countertop that many people would just tear out and replace with something new. My customer really loved their unique old green tile with pictures of animals on the backsplash. It was in bad shape and explained that I would do my best to make it look good and seal it. They were very happy with the results and I was happy too. The before and after photos are in my gallery. 

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• What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

  I would definitely check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they’re a legitimate business and if they have had any complaints. In a world where everyone is texting I believe it’s still important to talk to someone on the phone. You can get a better feel for how professional someone is on the phone.

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• What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

  The lowest price isn’t always the most important thing. The old saying “You get what you pay for” I believe is true. The customer needs to be asking themselves “What am I really getting for my money”?, “Is quality and satisfaction guaranteed “?, “Is the professional insured if something goes wrong”?, and “How long is the warranty and what is that worth to me”? We are fully insured and have an A+BBB rating.