Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Meola.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It started ten years ago when I was looking to do something with the old brick that was on the house we purchased in Clear Lake. I wanted to keep the brick look but didn’t want to just through some paint on it which would have been cheap. It would than look cheap and not original. I than called on brick companies they said to tear out and redo would cost 12-15 per sq. ft. which would cost thousands of dollars. So began the research for two + years of looking at options I thought of just find a stain and re stain the brick but everything on the market was a pain to mix or too thin and would run in the mortar. Or take forever to do. By then I was beginning to think there was no options. So throughout my researching I thought If I can find a product that had the consistency to reduce the runs of even not run at all and be able to apply timely I could Stain brick I worked with paint and stain companies to explore out all my options and came up with the solution. So I did my fire place it looked nice I than did my house and It looked nice. Then neighbors came by asking question how I did it they were astonished at the result. And one day a neighbor asked me if I would do there fireplace than the House word got around next thing I was spending my off day to Stain houses fireplaces. So After a while I was getting a lot of inquiries my boss at work said it won’t work I wouldn’t quit you job if I were you. I decided to prove him wrong. I built a website in my spare time which was rapid running out of. With my sales and internet back round I came up with a website and a few avenues in which to operate. And Became Houston Brick Stain! In 2009, I went to my boss 9 month later and told him I am quieting my job he said what for And I told him I am now Houston Brick Stain and will be working full time. And made the best decision of my working life. It started out with lots of ups and downs but now the word is out and I Am getting to do building strips centers. I have large companies wanting me to do matching and Staining for them Boral Brick Manufacturer meridian Brick Head waters and Church Kimbrough just to name a few.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There were many struggles like convincing customers that we can match almost flawlessly. Making decisions on how to accomplish a project with no one to seek technical support because there was no one to consult but after years under my belt I have become more confident, persistent, when companies call me about brick coloring I ask questions and they now say well you’re the expert you tell me! My biggest obstacle is training people to do the Stain work usually I will hire Painters but the process is different so it is my biggest challenge. What is the most exciting thing I thought would be my biggest obstacle I have unlimited supply of customers!
Houston Brick Stain – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our company is based on the belief that our customer’s needs are of the utmost importance. Our team is committed to meeting these needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business comes from referrals. Houston Brick Stain services has been serving the needs of businesses both large and small. Houston Brick Stain’s system for refinishing brick is a proven process that takes old tired brick or brick that has an outdated color and turns it into a clean fresh look and protects your home or building for a long time. The stain technology is a proven product that comes from years and concrete research by companies that has been developing and refining brick and concrete process since 1963. Houston Brick Stain not only offers Brick paint and Stain options.
We work with architects, general and masonry contractors, manufacturers, brick companies, property management companies, real estate agencies, homeowner associations, builders and home owners.
~We color all porous masonry, brick, and concrete surfaces including stucco! If it absorbs water it will absorb our water based product.
~ Low VOCs and odor free. We darken or lighten brick flawlessly.
~This is not a coating like paint which sits on the surface and eventually peels off.
~Our semi-translucent product absorbs into and reacts chemically to bond within the brick, masonry, or stucco surfaces.
~This product leaves the brick, masonry, or stucco surface looking and feeling the same but with the desire color change.
~Colors and formulations are created onsite and are geared to each project.
~Re-coloring is non-invasive and non-destructive versus tearing out and replacing brick or masonry.
~Your savings reflects a cost reduction of 50-60% the labor and materials for replacing brick or masonry.
~We are at least 10-15 times faster that tearing out and replacing.
~Like any artistic process every job is approached and quoted differently
~Quotes can usually be made based on good descriptions, photo’s sent via e-mail, square footages maximum heights, addresses of job site send your information To: larry@houstonbrickstain.com
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The biggest marker is growth to see that we are on a steady course of growth making Houston look beautiful 1 brick at a time. Knowing that we have a very high customer satisfaction ratio of the hundreds of projects less than 1% of the people were not completely satisfied we are looking in the near future to expand to other cities in Texas and beyond. Hopefully to Franchise to these other cities and give them professional and technical support.
Contact Info:
- Address: 18326 Barbuda ln
- Website: Houstonbrickstain.com
- Phone: 832-528-4270
- Email: larry@houstonbrickstain.com
- Instagram: Houston Brick Stain
- Facebook: Houston Brick Stain
- Twitter: Houston Brick Stain
- Yelp: Houston Brick Stain
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
