Business Opportunities Weblog

October 27, 2009 by Angela Shupe | 5 Comments

If you’re not afraid of a little hard work, an opportunity to make money through concrete coatings might be in your future.

With the help of Tim Tuohy, the founder of Concrete Coatings of Georgia, many contractors have been able to find the materials they need to perform the job and the training required to do it. Training sessions are currently held once per month with some individualized training opportunities available. For the serious professional, they can also help you become a certified contractor.

Tell us a little about Concrete Coatings of Georgia.

Concrete Coatings of Georgia is a supplier of decorative concrete materials. Focused primarily on contractor support. Our mission is to be the most efficient, customer focused, and highest quality concrete coatings provider in Georgia and the South Eastern United States by providing constantly improving training so contractors may provide the highest quality workmanship using the highest quality products.

What inspired you to launch your business?

I was looking at franchise opportunities. The concrete coatings business was interesting to me and I began to process the idea of becoming a franchise installer. However, during the process of due diligence I discovered there was a serious lack of available materials in the Atlanta area. Freight charges are high for these materials and delivery times are inconsistent. So I felt like there was a niche I could fill. I went into this thinking there were fewer contractors than I needed to operate a healthy business so I began offering training so I could develop my own market for the products.

How long have you been in business?

I’ve been in business a year this month. It’s been an interesting year to start a business but there are contractors who are adding our systems to their service offerings and it has been helping us grow as we help them earn their living.

Would you mind telling us a little about your training opportunity?

I perform regularly scheduled trainings on one to two product systems. These are typically tailored to the season. For example in January, February, and March I covered stains, epoxies, and trowel down overlayments. These are systems that can be installed indoors and on sunny days in winter months. All summer I spent the trainings on Spray-Tek, stain, and wood deck refinishing materials.

How often do you offer your classes?

I try to do one a month, so far the smallest class has been about nine students. But, I will also teach individually as needed for contractors coming in from out of town or if a contractor has a job to do but isn’t sure how to do it. They can also come around and practice their technique here in my shop, they just need to call and get on the schedule.

How can someone sign up and what are your requirements?

All you have to do is click on the yellow “sign-up now” button on nearly every page of the Concrete Coatings of Georgia website. That will take you to a form that can be printed, filled out and faxed in to the shop. Classes are fee based at $100 per person. (I sometimes do special classes that cost more based on who the instructor is and what the topic is.)

Is your certification training opportunity available outside of Georgia? If not, do you have any plans for expansion?

Certification is a tough subject. In order to certified one would need to have taken courses within all the systems and be able to prove a knowledge of the material (take a written test) and proficiency with the system (perform a hands on demonstration of skills.) So far no one has taken me up on this offer. By the time one pays for the classes (5 in all) they’re better served to come to the specialty classes I host by manufacturers who will support them and train them for about the same price. Then, they get the advantages of dealing with Concrete Coatings of Georgia as well as the advantages of dealing with the manufacturer for support, training, and sales materials.

How has your business grown/expanded since you first launched?

This is a good question. The number of customers I have been fortunate enough to attract truly astounds me. People are looking for a way to earn a living or add to the living they are already earning, I have one of the ways they can do that. I provide it on time, at a good cost, and with enough training that they can do it right away.

What are some of the lessons your business has taught you?

Far and away this business has taught me that God is still in charge. Everything about my success in this area is entirely due to his blessing. Believe it or not, I would not have made it without his direct intervention.

Who should consider taking one of your classes and what might they expect from it?

At the end of every class I have a single question I ask – “Did you get your money’s worth from this class?” I have never gotten a “no”. Who should attend? Anyone who wants to learn a new skill or set of skills to help them increase their ability to earn. Also anyone who is looking for a business opportunity that is fun, exciting and profitable.

In Interviews | 5 Comments
Tags: Construction, Entrepreneurial Lifestyle