A Passion for Tile

Kevin Lancaster gives a whole new meaning to book learning.

Reading books and working with the pros is how the 33-yearold learned to create, design and set tile.

Three years ago, he'd learned enough to start his own businessLancaster Tile & Hardwood Flooring-which specializes in high- end residential and commercial properties.

"I had an idea of how tile should be set, the specification standards and I wanted to be able to make that call," said Lancaster, who spent several years working for others before striking out on his own.

He also wanted to work with customers who had the budget for the quality of materials and work he provides. I didn't want to win or lose jobs based on the dollar."

His business was self-financed, and he used the equipment he'd acquired over the years as a subcontractor for area flooring retailers and interior designers. In the last couple of years, he's invested about $3,000 in upgrading his equipment. He's begun expanding the line of custom tiles designed and created by his wife, Stephanie Lancaster, an art teacher at Winchester Village mentary in Perry Township.

If industry growth is any indication, Lancaster has picked a good line. Sales of custom tile used in commercial properties grew by double digits between 2002 and 2004, well above the 8 percent for other types of flooring, according to published accounts. And when it comes to residential jobs, tile isn't just for kitchens and baths. Custom and high-end tiles are now commonly used for fireplace hearths, entryways, trim and outdoor living areas.

Lancaster's interest in tile grew out of his previous business of buying houses and renovating them for resale. He did most of the work himself, learning how by reading books and manuals about plumbing, wiring and other construction trades. Eventually he segued into tile work because he likes the feel of the materials and the satisfaction of seeing a job well done. In his spare time, he researched grout, mortar, trowels and other materials and tools and which ones worked best on what materials.

He worked as a tile subcontractor for Blakely's, Drexel Interiors and with Gene Snodgrass at Indiana Renovations Inc.

Snodgrass "taught me more about tile work than anyone. It was a great apprenticeship, the best year I had in terms of expanding knowledge. He was patient, and I'm grateful he took a chance on me," Lancaster said. His interest in custom work blossomed while working with Snodgrass.

"He seemed to like a lot of the artsy stuff," Snodgrass said of

Lancaster. "He tells me I taught him everything he knows."

Tile and floors isn't a field Lancaster anticipated working in.

He studied nursing for two years at Indiana University before signing up for a five-year stint in the Indiana National Guard, where he was a behavioral sciences specialist. "I passed out at the sight of blood, so figured nursing was not a great career choice' " he said,

Lancaster said he prefers potential employees to come only with the desire to do a good job, instead of practices learned in another tile business. He has grown his business by wordof-mouth and referrals.

He said if there's a mistake to be made, he's done it. The biggest lessons he has mastered: how to set tile within the customer's budget and do it on time.

"He's punctual, precise and very dedicated," said Todd D. Herman, owner of Design Works, a Carmel interior design firm. He has used Lancaster as a subcontractor for at least 10 years, including a tile installation at a recent St. Margaret's Guild Showhouse. "He's very customeroriented, has a great personality and he's creative."

Although tile is traditionally associated with ceramic, Lancaster works in several media, including glass, metal and stone, many in custom designs.

"We're doing really well with as much business as we can handle," he said. The challenge is to control growth so that he and his crews don't have to work 70 hours a week or more.

Entrepreneurs need to "have a passion about what they do, but passion only gets you so far," he said.

A good company is well-run, has adequate resources, solid employees and established systems and procedures. A good company also should handle change well. "I wake up every morning just charged." Lastly, Lancaster said, "look for a mentor that does what you do the way you want to do it."

Phone: 413-1065

E-mail: kevinmlancaster@msn.com

Founded: 2004

Founder: Kevin Lancaster

Owner: Kevin Lancaster

Service/product: tile and wood flooring and general contracting for residential and commercial properties.

Employees: 3 full time

Revenue (2006): $85,000

One-year goal: expand line of handmade tiles

Industry outlook: remains fairly stable in the $1 million to $3 million home market.

Copyright IBJ Corporation May 28, 2007

(c) 2007 Indianapolis Business Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.