Contact Info
• Concrete Reality, a division of Checker Tile Limited, is located at 2012 Ervin Johnson Drive, Darlington, WI 53530
• Phone: (608) 776-3340, (608) 776-3290 (fax)
• E-mail: info@concreterealitystudio.com
• Web site: www.concreterealitystudio.com
PLATTEVILLE - Andy Carlson began as an "old school" marble mason 22 years ago, working with dimensional stone such as marble, granite, slate and tile.
As his experience and interest in "stone" grew, Carlson began experimenting with various media, pigmentation and designs in his basement. About 13 years ago, after interpreting trends with interior design, building materials and the growing popularity of "green" building practices, Carlson the focus of his masonry business to building and installing concrete building products.
In 2004, Carlson self-financed a new building and moved into his Darlington concrete studio, now called Concrete Reality.
Concrete Reality has been named the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center's (SWSBDC) Successful Small Business of the Fourth Quarter 2008. Businesses that have been SWSBDC clients for six months or longer, are operating a successful business and meeting or exceeding business plan projections are eligible for the recognition.
Carlson, along with his wife Jeanenne and three employees, continues his trade as a marble mason and stone contractor, while offering a unique product based on concrete.
With concrete products and projects representing 30 to 40 percent of the business mix, Carlson has begun to win projects requiring concrete structures of increasing complexity and creativity. With the majority of the concrete projects consisting of counter tops, sinks, tubs, shower surrounds and bathrooms, Concrete Reality has shipped products throughout the United States. Concrete Reality also has been a contractor to custom residential and commercial builds throughout the region and as far away as Chicago, Eagle River, Milwaukee and DeSoto.
"Early in the business, the SBDC played a role helping me to develop my business plan," Carlson said. "Now, I use the SBDC as a sounding board for product and market ideas."
Carlson also has used the SBDC as a gateway to the concrete testing laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville as potential commercial product application opportunities have arisen.
As his experience and interest in "stone" grew, Carlson began experimenting with various media, pigmentation and designs in his basement. About 13 years ago, after interpreting trends with interior design, building materials and the growing popularity of "green" building practices, Carlson the focus of his masonry business to building and installing concrete building products.
In 2004, Carlson self-financed a new building and moved into his Darlington concrete studio, now called Concrete Reality.
Concrete Reality has been named the Southwest Wisconsin Small Business Development Center's (SWSBDC) Successful Small Business of the Fourth Quarter 2008. Businesses that have been SWSBDC clients for six months or longer, are operating a successful business and meeting or exceeding business plan projections are eligible for the recognition.
Carlson, along with his wife Jeanenne and three employees, continues his trade as a marble mason and stone contractor, while offering a unique product based on concrete.
With concrete products and projects representing 30 to 40 percent of the business mix, Carlson has begun to win projects requiring concrete structures of increasing complexity and creativity. With the majority of the concrete projects consisting of counter tops, sinks, tubs, shower surrounds and bathrooms, Concrete Reality has shipped products throughout the United States. Concrete Reality also has been a contractor to custom residential and commercial builds throughout the region and as far away as Chicago, Eagle River, Milwaukee and DeSoto.
"Early in the business, the SBDC played a role helping me to develop my business plan," Carlson said. "Now, I use the SBDC as a sounding board for product and market ideas."
Carlson also has used the SBDC as a gateway to the concrete testing laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville as potential commercial product application opportunities have arisen.