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Special Features September 2024
SLIPPERY ROCK GAZETTE ® The Voice of the Stone Fabricator
Teamwork and Savvy Judgement Fuel Growth at Premier Surface Design, by Peter Marcucci ......... Begins on 1 Training, Safety and Education
Industry Calendar of Events and Training: September to October 2024................................................................................ 5 Digital Marketing Mastery for Countertop Fabricators: Key Strategies & Insights, by Anthony Milia ..... Begins on 6 How Does SEO Work for a Countertop Shop? by Stephen Alberts ...................................................................................... 8 Fixing the Leak, by Pete DuBruhle .................................................................................................................................................. 9 Eight Mistakes Keeping Your Shop From Growing, by Justin Shaw ...................................................................................... 10 Why Do I Need a Business Coach? by Ed Young and Justin Shaw ................................................................................... 12
Industry Topics, Tips and Featured Columns
ISFA Announces Upcoming Fabricator Forum ....................................................................................................................... 4 The Stone Detective in The Case of the Shiny Grout, by Frederick M. Hueston .................................... Begins on 13 Digital Business Cards, by Sharon Koehler ............................................................................................................................ 15 Stone Restoration and Maintenance Corner – M3 Technologies and Majestic Stone Care, by Bob Murrell ... Begins on 16 Silica Legislation Update ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 My New “Cup” Came Close to Running Over, by Sam Venable ................................................................... Begins on 20
Industry News
BB Industries Announces Distribution Partnership with No-Lift Install System ................................................... 5 ISFA Announces Porcelain Fabrication Training Event in Texas ................................................................................ 14 Silica Guidance Documents Now Available from Natural Stone Institute ............................................................ 22 Immanent Increases in Ocean Freight Predicted .......................................................................................................... 23
Marketplace .............................................................................................................................................................. 20 Classified Ads ........................................................................................................................................................... 21
Contributors & Staff
Rick Stimac .......................................................................................................................................... Publisher Larry M. Hood .................................................................................................. Editor and Design Director G. William Brown................................................................................................................. Graphic Designer Stephen Alberts ......................................................................................................... Countertop Marketing Mark Anderson ......................................................................................................... Department of Humor Pete DuBruhle............................................................................................................. Synchronous Solutions Frederick M. Hueston .................................................................................. Stone Forensics Investigations Sharon Koehler.................................................................................................... Stone Industry Consultant Rufus B. Leakin ........................................................................................................ Guru of Urban Folklore Peter Marcucci ................................................................................................................ Special Contributor Anthony Milia ........................................................................................................................... Milia Marketing Bob Murrell ............................................................................................................... Restoration Consultant Justin Shaw .....................................................................................................................Stone Fabricator Elite Ed Young..............................................................................................................Fabricator’s Business Coach Sam Venable.................................................................................................................... Department of Irony
Read our online edition at www.slipperyrockgazette.net. Use the Classified drop-down menu to browse ads and to place a classified ad, and the article links to view stories in the current issue. Send advertising inquiries to LHood@ slipperyrockgazette.net, and comments c/o publisher@slipperyrockgazette.net. Subscription requests, a classified ad submission form, current and archived back issues and articles are available online at www.slipperyrockgazette/archives.net .
Previously known as Industry Roundtables, Fabricator Forums are regional events aimed at providing educational and networking opportunities.
These events help members access the information and resources they need to tackle business challenges and establish valuable relationships.
ISFA Announces Upcom- ing Fabricator Forum
After a successful spring Fabricator Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina, and one in Houston in August, The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) looks forward to hosting the next event on September 11-12, in St. Louis, Missouri.
The September Fabricator Forum in St. Louis, sponsored by BB Industries and Vicostone, is a two- day event that includes presentations and discussions about:
• Silica safety.
• Staffing and employee
management strategies.
• Fleet management.
• Marketing strategies.
• Quartz cleaning and care
techniques.
On the second day in St. Louis, ISFA will take the show on the road for a fabricator shop tour of Custom Marble in nearby Millstadt, Illinois. Since 1978, Custom Marble has been working with the most trusted kitchen and bath dealers through- out the St. Louis metropolitan area, offering a wide range of services and materials to meet the growing needs of their customers. Attendees will tour the shop to see what makes Custom Marble so successful. The
tour will also include an OSHA presentation, “Know Your OSHA Rights,” designed to inform fabri- cators about common compliance issues and understand how they can mitigate risk in their shops.
“ISFA is looking forward to bringing these popular events to fabricators in the Houston and St. Louis areas,” said Marissa Bankert, executive director of ISFA. “Fabricator Forums are designed to be well-rounded opportunities that provide attend- ees with the resources they need to overcome challenges and grow their businesses, and the program- ming reflects the needs of today’s fabricators.”
ISFA Fabricator Forums are open to all fabricators, includ- ing nonmembers. Visit www. ISFAnow.org/fabricator-forums for more details and to register. Space is limited, so those inter- ested in attending are encouraged to reserve their spot as soon as possible.
For more information about the International Surface Fabricators Association, membership and events, including the ISFA Annual Conference, which will be held November 6-8, 2024, in Miami, visit www.ISFAnow.org.
“Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘nice doggie’ until you can find a rock.”
– Will Rogers