As a writer I try very hard to share my heart in words. There are so many small businesses in our fair town of Carleton Place that deserve credit for what they do. Just the fact they manage to stay in business in a rural town during a difficult economy is merit itself.
During the past 11 months I have written about many of them, and now I would like to give another great local business a shout out. I had the honour of meeting the Occomore’s from Valley Granite & Tile when I participated in the Jeffrey’s Journey Home project and found a kindred soul in Lisa. Like myself, Lisa keeps it pretty real with people– so you know if you are doing business with her– you will get frank words and her heart. Oops, better not forget her husband Brad– he is pretty awesome too:)
Congratulations guys in your new digs, and thank you for caring about Taylor’s Custom Flooring and assuming responsibility for its continued history in our area.
Behind the success of every small business there is family. With over 30 years combined experience in the industry, Valley Granite & Tile have been associated with granite counter tops and excellent service. Carleton Place has given Lisa and Brad Occomore the opportunity to provide their customers with a finished product of the highest quality, and a service that is second to none, regardless of the size of the project.
It’s the nature of granite, to be hard and resistant, and Valley Granite & Tile are capable of completing your project and exceeding your expectations with the use of modern technology, high quality materials, and skilled craftsmen. They have built a solid reputation in Carleton Place and outlying areas as the place to go and have worked on some of the most difficult and prestigious projects across Canada.
The Occomore’s have covered the whole spectrum of positions —from labourers and office workers on the front line to foremen, managers, directors and consultants. Some of their most recent projects before the opening of Valley Granite & Tile included consulting for growing companies as well as consulting for start-up companies.
Before the opening of their business, they worked on projects for CSIS headquarters, RCMP headquarters, the Prime Minister’s Office, East Block of parliament, Centre Block of Parliament, Scotiabank Place, Saddledome (Calgary), metropole (Ottawa’s tallest condo high rise at the time) and numerous other condo projects and many Embassies around Ottawa.
If Mary Cook says it’s great– well it is!
As well, their services have been used for KPMG (Brett Wilson from Dragons’ Den TV show), Arlene Dickinson (Dragons’ Den TV show), Daryl Sutter, Todd White and many other current and former NHL players and coaches.
Brad and Lisa know that money is limited these days, so the prices at Valley Granite & Tile are very reasonable. They have many products that are more cost efficient than the “big box” stores. Because of the myth that cheaper is the best way to go, some people don’t even think of using their services assuming they are too expensive.
Unlike their larger competition, Valley Granite & Tile think nothing of spending time with their customers, walking them through their showroom, and discussing options. You won’t find any pressure whatsoever, and you will know immediately when you talk to them you have chosen the right company to do your work.
When they opened their business they wanted be able to solve some of the problems that other companies experienced and promise a better customer experience. Quality is everything to them– reinspecting the quality of edges, cuts placement and leveling, only to confirm time and again that everything fits like a glove.
The Occomore family have lived Carleton Place for 6 years– but it’s always been home to Lisa’s Mother and Grandparents. Other than going to Calgary for 3 years on contract, the family have pretty much always been “valley people”. We all know family is like branches on a tree–they grow in different directions yet the roots remain the same. So when John from Taylor’s Custom Flooring decided to retire, Lisa and Brad understanding family based business didn’t want to see a 20 year valued Carleton Place based business close.
Instead they not only took over operations as Taylor’s in January, but they are moving Valley Granite & Tile to their new building at 140 Industrial Ave. (currently Taylor’s) by the end of March. Valley Granite & Tile will now offer an even larger one-stop shopping experience, increasing their product lines, and adding new items to give their customers the ability to get the most out of their renovation. They will also be stocking more Granite slabs to save customers the trip to the city to pick out their slabs.
The reason their family business has become so successful is easy: quality product and fantastic service! Their head office is in the community where they live and raise their family. In fact, their 11 year-old already shows a strong interest in their business and has acquired his first set of polishing tools. They are also proud they now have the ability to support the community, people, and local charities. Remember the Occomore’s care about your family’s environment—that’s their specialty. To them it’s just like their family– it’s not only important– it’s everything.
The beauty of Facebook is the world is your oyster when it comes to photos, and I love this photograph. Says it all to me.
Valley Granite & Tile
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