Franchise Builds On Granite Foundation

(Thursday, July 10, 2008) - Most new business owners would be hard-pressed to say their venture's core is rock-solid. But Kara Middendorf can honestly say the center of her business is made of granite.
Middendorf, 30, opened a second Tile Outlet Always in Stock franchise on West Costco Drive just west of North Thornydale Road on June 5.
She co-owns the first franchise at 3820 S. Palo Verde Road with her mother, Chris.
The enterprise started when Chris was at a franchise show several years ago.
"The granite caught my eye," said Chris. Granite countertops are the outlet's biggest sellers.
The granite is quarried in Brazil and India, then shipped to China. The stone is cut to standard countertop sizes and the edges are rounded. The countertops are ready to install.
"This makes granite affordable for people," said Chris, 60. "It doesn't require finishing."
Kara explained that when customers buy a piece of unfinished granite, it's usually more than they need for a project. The result is wasted granite coupled with the expense of having the stone finished.
The retail store on Palo Verde Road is larger than the second and houses the inventory for both locations. Kara's parents, Chris and Joe Middendorf tapped into their savings for startup costs.
Kara is the sole owner of the second franchise. She financed the business with her own money and plans to open two more stores by 2010. Chris is the store's accountant and all-around "fill-in-as-needed" person.
Kara's father owned an oil-change business in Ohio and Kentucky in the 1980s. She describes him as her small-business mentor.
"As a little kid I would talk to my dad about different businesses," said Kara. "Of course, tile never popped into my head. It was more hair and clothing."
Kara has a degree from the University of Arizona in retail and consumer science.
"I'm in this business because I like helping people design their kitchens and bathrooms and pick their colors," she said.
Lilia Smith brought back seven tile samples to the store on a recent weekday afternoon.
"We are remodeling our bathroom. I took them home and put them in the shower to check out the colors," said Smith, 31, who bought several boxes of tiles for the project.
"I like it (the store) because it's close to my house," she said. "We're looking into purchasing counters for the kitchen."
The store has plenty of options for home remodelers. Customers can choose tiles made from a variety of materials, from ceramic to marble.
"We want people to go to a competitor and get a granite-countertop estimate and come over here and get our estimate," Kara said.

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