Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Richmond.
Brandon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Prior to owning Grout Works of Dallas, I worked in law enforcement in Iowa. While it was an interesting line of work, it was mentally and emotionally draining. I had always wanted a more satisfying career, preferably one where I could take ownership and create a better work/life balance. Aside from this, my family desired warmer climate.
A family friend owned and operated the Grout Works franchise in Iowa, and also owned a region in North Texas. This North Texas region hasn’t been developed yet, but seemed like a perfect opportunity to me to take on and grow. After months of research and training, I came to the realization that there was great potential for Grout Works to make a big difference in this region, due to the booming economy, housing development and amount of new and existing tile.
When I moved to Frisco, I hit the ground running and immersed myself in as many marketing opportunities as possible. I held booths at local home and garden trade shows, advertised in popular publications, met with realtors and home builders, attended networking events, and I even went door-to-door. I was also very lucky to meet some great friends and neighbors who were well connected in the community, who introduced me to some very key clients.
It was also very apparent that connecting with the client, understanding their needs, and delivering superior service with our unique patented grout sealer was the key to positive word-of-mouth experiences and great reviews. That is what really helped me grow my business. Texans love to share their experiences with others! I can take all the traditional marketing steps, but unless clients trust me, my process and the product, my business won’t grow. A client’s review of my work on my Facebook page or Home Advisor could send me droves of new opportunities.
I thoroughly enjoy what I do and seeing how thrilled clients are with the end result. So many home and business owners are unaware of what the grout sealing process can do for their floors. It’s absolutely necessary for every tile floor to be sealed, to preserve and protect their grout from dirt, bacteria, and build-up for years to come. The sealing colors are customizable to match your tile for a uniformed look. Our sealer is different than most in that it won’t crack, chip or peel. People are shocked with the amount of money they saved in comparison to completely redoing their tile. Some people call their neighbors over right away, some people hug me, and some have me come back to do their entire house or their business.
I am now booked with great upcoming projects, both large and small, commercial and residential, new and existing tile, floors and showers. Even though the product and process pretty much sell themselves, I still grind every day to get new leads, to talk to as many people as I can and to grow my business.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Building a business after switching careers completely, all while relocating my family, has been stressful. However, I am so thankful that things have progressed so well for Grout Works of Dallas.
Another challenge has been for people to understand that Grout Works of Dallas is unique in that I only use the patented sealer that the franchise provides me. Some people try to clean and seal their own grout, only to find out that within a few months its dirty and stained again, or they pay someone to seal their grout annually. It sometimes takes some time and effort to help the potential client that our sealer is top notch and we provide a warranty on it.
It’s always a challenge to find a balance between how large I’d like my business to grow and how much I still have the ability to be ultra involved. Currently, I have a contractor and a part time helper, but I am still at every bid meeting, am the main contact, and I take ownership of every job. Being in the homes and businesses and doing the work myself has taught me so much about the process, but as my jobs get larger and there is more demand for bids, it’s necessary for me to have some help on the job site. And if I’m paying employees, it’s important for me to keep the momentum going by continuing to market my business and be very involved in sales.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Grout Works of Dallas story. Tell us more about the business.
Grout Works is a national franchise that is quickly spreading across the state of Texas. My company specializes in tile and stone restoration, grout and tile cleaning, grout acrylic color sealing, and shower restorations. Color grout sealing is a quickly growing phenomenon that is a necessary step in taking great care of your tile. Clients are seeing that cleaning and color sealing the grout can not only drastically change the look of the floor, but will change the entire appearance of the room by blending grout lines with the flooring to provide a more clean and open look and feel. Sealing tile grout also prevents dirt, bacteria and pet stains to penetrate the grout, which in turn requires less cleaning.
I’m most proud of the services I provide, as the process is very detailed and requires great craftsmanship. The reactions from clients and the reviews I’ve received make what I do extremely satisfying.
I’m also proud of the quality grout sealing products that Grout Works allows me to use. It is unique, durable and more advanced than any other sealer on the market.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Because the housing economy in North Dallas is strong, homeowners buying and selling don’t mind spending what it takes to improve the appearance of their homes. Realtors, contractors and builders are doing well, and will therefore recommend the best for their clients.
The business growth in this area is also huge factor in why I’m successful. Businesses are growing, and so is competition, so upgrading/improving floors can make a difference.
The people I come into contact with on a daily basis, whether neighbors, parents of my kids’ school and extracurricular activities, church friends, and even those I small talk with throughout the course of my day, are always interested in what I do. I believe people in this region genuinely care for each other, and they want to hear your story. This allows for relationships to form quickly. The kindness of those I’ve met is unbelievable.
Contact Info:
- Website: Groutworksofdallas.com
- Phone: 972-841-3495
- Email: Groutworksdallas@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brichmond2016
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