Ground Floor: New Cedar Rapids business owner has an eye for design

CEDAR RAPIDS - The summer and fall months typically are a busy time for people in the home building industry, and this building season has been an extra hectic one for Tasha Stone.

Stone, who has worked in the flooring design and sales business for 13 years, has been assisting several local home builders finish construction in time for the Greater Cedar Rapids Area Home Builders Association Parade of Homes, which starts on Sept.27.

In the middle of juggling multiple projects, Stone found time to launch her own carpet and flooring store.

'It's something I've been thinking about for several years,” said Stone, who opened Stepping Stones Custom Floors in Cedar Rapids on Aug. 4.

'It all fell into place for an August opening.”

While Stone acknowledges that it has been a challenge managing her time between the builds and getting the new store organized, she said the timing was right for her to become a small business owner.

'I've been wanting to be my own boss,” she said. 'I wanted to be able to pick and choose what products come into my own store. I want to build a future and leave a legacy for my kids.”

A key to Stone's decision to move forward with her business plans was finding just the right location.

'I wanted retail customers to know about the location, and what better place than First Avenue,” she said.

Not only is Stepping Stones located on a busy thoroughfare with high visibility, it also is in the same building as Affordable Plumbing and Remodeling, 816 First Ave. NW. Stone said her new neighbor has provided a benefit with respect to the design work she does for her clients.

'The beauty of it is that they have kitchen and bathroom displays in their showroom,” she said of the neighboring business. 'I can take customers over there to see what something will look like. Otherwise, it can be difficult for them to visualize how everything will come together.”

Stepping Stones carries a wide array of flooring material, including carpet, tile, vinyl, porcelain, hardwood, laminates, marble and natural stone. Although Stone's primary focus is the sale and installation of flooring, her work also includes back splashes, showers and fireplaces.

'I'm very design-oriented,” she said. 'People will come in with no direction, just a new house they're going to build. I'll even help them pick out their paint.”

' Comments: Know of a company in business for less than a year that would be ideal for 'Ground Floor”? Contact George Ford at george.ford@sourcemedia.net.

At a Glance

'Owner

: Tasha Stone

'Business

: Stepping Stones Custom Floors

'Address

: 816 First Ave. NW, Suite B, Cedar Rapids

'Phone

: (319) 363-1343

'Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/Stepping-Stones-Custom-Floors/741006815961958