Category Archives: Decorative Concrete News

News from the world of decorative concrete.

Social Media Declares, “I Love Decorative Concrete”

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Workiing together in the decorative concrete community“I Love Decorative Concrete” is the title of two new social media groups on the Internet. The groups were launched at Facebook and LinkedIn by Todd Rose of  Todd Rose Concrete.   

The community of decorative concrete people can offer stability and encouragement to members from entry level to long-time concreters.

The group at LinkedIn is very active, while the Facebook group has spurts of activity. Both are well-moderated; the members are addressing some pretty intense and useful topics with information, opinion, civility and maturity. It is a good place to ask technical questions or business management questions. And to add your 2 cents worth.

Groups, forums and local organizations are only what the members make of them. It takes a lot of dedication to start a community, both online and in reality. Moderating and supplying topics are not easy jobs. The people who’ve been in the trenches enjoy the exchange and conversation…we all like to help others. By doing that, we build a strong community that can pass the torch to the newbies and keep things rolling along.

People are posting promotions — some are looking to hire for sales or other activity, some are offering product for sale. Everyone seems to be making the effort to be quiet about advertising their own services or products. There are marketing tips about using LinkedIn for your business. Specifications for architects and designers are busy topics, along with those discussing misinformed data analysis. There are questions about colors and measurements, along with “Hello, I’m here.” introductory posts that showcase some amazing work.

As part of your business development and marketing plan, check out these groups at Facebook and LinkedIn. The title is the same at both sites: “I Love Decorative Concrete.” You will find plenty to learn by keeping quiet and reading. You will see places where you can share and encourage. Your membership in a LinkedIn group enhances your profile.

 

 

Engrave-A-Crete Lights Up the Night

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For Immediate Release
Mansfield, MO  January 13, 2012

Add a thousand stars to the night with Solar Lightpod Systems, Engrave-A-Crete’s latest business package.  An elegant, high-end LED landscape lighting system, Solar Lightpods install almost anywhere, in any orientation and are virtually maintenance free.

Solar powered and completely wireless, Solar Lightpods operate using ultra capacitors that give nearly endless recharge cycles. The ultra-capacitor technology allows Lightpods to recharge in as little as three hours of direct sunlight or up to eight hours in the shade or on a rainy day.  A single charge gives 12 to 20 hours of operating time.

Available in 2” and 2.5” models, five colors, and various modes,  Solar Lightpods are flush mounted into the surface using a specialty core drill and custom bits.   Surrounded by a high-grade aluminum canister designed and precision-manufactured by Engrave-A-Crete to effectively drain moisture, Solar Lightpods emit glowing LED light at night. By day, the brushed-finish aluminum flange lends subtle, unobtrusive elegance to every landscape or hardscape.

Solar Lightpods are eco-friendly.  Each Lightpod is made of non-contaminating materials, contains no batteries to leak dangerous chemicals, and captures solar energy rather than using expensive electricity. Lightpods can be installed into existing concrete, pavers, decks, asphalt and nearly any surface, vertical or horizontal. Simply use what’s already there.

Solar Lightpods are extremely durable and safe. They are waterproof, unaffected by harsh weather conditions, and withstand traffic loads as large as semi trucks and trailers. The flush mounting and bumpy, anti-slip surface reduce slipping and tripping hazards, and since Solar Lightpods are completely solar, there’s no electricity leakage ever.

To learn more about the Solar Lightpod Systems business opportunity, go to http://engraveacrete.com/solar-lightpod-systems.

Engrave-A-Crete is the leading pioneer and world’s single largest designer and manufacturer of decorative concrete engraving tools, stains, processes.  The family-owned business takes pride in manufacturing an impressive line of decorative concrete tools and products at their state-of-the-art facility in Mansfield, MO.  For more information about Engrave-A-Crete, please visit http://engraveacrete.com/ .

Contact person:  Brandon Adamson
Email:  Brandon@engraveacrete.com
Company: Engrave-A-Crete, Inc.
Address: 403 Oak Avenue, Mansfield, MO 65704
Business Phone: 417-924-2300 or 1-800-884-2114

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Fire Damage Goes from All Wrong to All Right | New Braunfels, TX

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Artistic Impressions took the ALL WRONG condo and made it the ALL RIGHT condo

When a local condo was damaged by a fire, the home owner decided to make some changes. Fortunately, the fire damage wasn’t extensive, but the flooring in more than one home had to be completely removed.

One homeowner began his search online for alternative flooring. When decorative concrete caught his eye, he called a friend in New Braunfels, asking if she knew of a decorative concrete company offering superior work. She did, in fact, know of one whose work she had personally seen. She recommended the outstanding performance delivered by Artistic Impressions.

Staff at Artistic Impressions reviewed the job site, met and passed the necessary qualifications to get the remodeling contract for the condo. They proceeded to rip out the flooring, clean and protect the newly painted walls from the next flooring steps. They applied a micro-topping coating, then a second design coat before they began staining, sealing and waxing the floor.

The process took just four days to complete and the homeowner was ecstatic about the results. (click on the before and after images to enlarge)

Fire Damage in Texas Condo Before Artistic Impressions  Condo remodeled and restored by Artistic Impressions
Artistic Impressions was able to take advantage of the valuable word of mouth advertising that comes from finished work. This recommendation didn’t come from a customer (a superior resource), but from someone who had viewed their work. When you can get good results out there, the customer likes to talk about the work and their friends talk about what they’ve seen too.

Artistic Impressions
2327 Grene Lake Drive
New Braunsfels, TX 78130

Success Story – Engraver Joe and his Mongoose

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Meet Joe.  He’s new to the decorative concrete industry. Joe attends a Discovery and Training seminar at Engrave-A-Crete to learn the best methods for installing decorative concrete.  He’s a little short on cash and confidence, though, so he goes home empty handed.  He wants to scope out the market before he buys anything.

Joe is excited about what he’s learned at seminar.  He meets with a neighbor who wants his 1,000 square foot patio remodeled.  Joe shows him pictures of what he can do with the ugly concrete.

Joe’s neighbor likes what he sees and asks Joe for a bid to stain and engrave the patio.

Now Joe has to do some figuring.  He definitely needs a Mongoose, and a few other supplies. Confidence building, he calls Engrave-A-Crete where a friendly salesperson helps him with his order.

Joe computes his expenses and finds they average $2.57 per square foot for the job.  He includes a reasonable profit in his bid.  He gets the job.

When the job is finished, Joe’s neighbor is delighted. He loves his patio and hands Joe a check. He also begins telling others about how awesome Joe is at installing decorative concrete.

Joe goes over his figures one more time.  Yes, they were correct.  His first job completely paid for the Mongoose and other supplies he used, with a nice profit.

Soon Joe gets another 1,000 square foot job. He carefully computes his costs again.  Since his Mongoose is now paid for, his expenses this time average only 52 cents a square foot.

Wow!  If he charges the same rate he charged his neighbor, that means a huge profit on this job! And the next!  And the next!

Soon Joe is so busy he decides to invest in a fully loaded trailer.  Engrave-A-Crete financing makes it easy. Now his new trailer has become a rolling billboard for his business and his customer base grows even faster.

Joe smiles every day as he deposits his profits in the bank.  Life with Engrave-A-Crete is good.

Get the vision! Reread this story and insert your name in the place of Joe’s.  Then give us a call at 800-884-2114. Engrave-A-Crete can help good things happen to you, too.

January 13 – Make Your Dream Come True Day | Seminar Date Too!

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Make Your Dream Come True Day | Flower of the Day Mexican Sunflower

January 13, 2012 is a BIG day. The wrap-up day for Discovery & Training seminar has appropriately been designated as “Make Your Dream Come True Day” in multiple resources*.

You can use the training at Engrave-A-Crete to make your dream come true at varying levels.

  • Do you dream of owning your own business?
  • Do you dream of an artistic side business?
  • Do you dream of expanding your remodeling business?
  • Do you dream of adding to your present concrete business?
  • Do you dream of having a beautiful basement or garage floor instead of ugly concrete or uglier carpet?
  • Have you been thinking about coming to Missouri for the three days of hands-on training with the Engrave-A-Crete tools, stains and sealers?
  • Do you dream of learning decorative concrete installation techniques in the specially designed facility where all of that can happen?

2012 has all the earmarks of a beginning for you to move toward making your dream come true. If you come next week, you will have the calendar on your side for a positive sign.

Call 800-884-2114 today to reserve your space at the January Discovery & Training Seminar beginning January 11 and going through January 13, 2012 (Make Your Dream Come True Day).

Resources:  The pretty Tithonia or Mexican Sunflower, flower for January 13, adds to the magic of the day.  tithonia diversifolia.jpg from wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tithonia_diversifolia.JPG) Mexican sunflower “Torch” image from Floridata.com http://www.floridata.com/ref/t/tithon_r.cfm Sources for holiday info: Holiday Insights,  (http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/dreamday.htm_  ThinkQuest http://library.thinkquest.org/2886/jan.htm