How do you run a successful designer concrete company that doesn't focus on countertops? Brent offers several suggestions on how to branch out and we talk quite a bit about fireplace surrounds. He's also a huge advocate of using Rapid Set both for the speed and strength factor. He also has an interesting approach to balancing personal and work.  

🌸 See chapters/timestamps below for specific topic interests 🌸  

Where to find Brent:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/diamond_finish_cc/

Website: https://diamondfinishconcretecountertops.com/ 

(I may receive a commission if you purchase something from a link below)

 🎏 Items mentioned: 

Tile Leveling System Spacers: https://thd.co/3Gq3aIN

Tile Leveling System Wedges: https://thd.co/3WS7YvR

Tile Leveling System Install Pliers: https://thd.co/3Wy3gnb

PL Premium Construction Adhesive: https://amzn.to/3jYm011

XS 327 Concrete Sealer (High Gloss): https://amzn.to/3WSCiqK

XS 327 Concrete Sealer (Semi Gloss): https://amzn.to/3Qq1mTt

XS 327 Concrete Sealer (Matte): https://amzn.to/3CuYKhj

Trinic Stamp Shield: https://bit.ly/3Z17plu

Trinic H 12 Sealer: https://bit.ly/3vpY3SP

Seal Hair: https://www.concretesealhair.com/

Enrich N Seal: https://amzn.to/3ZkTE0U

ICT Concrete Sealer: https://ictreactive.com/

Baby Seal Beeswax: https://bit.ly/3jE1jY7

Bees Wax Spray: https://amzn.to/3vKPjXt

Crete-Lease 880 VOC: http://bit.ly/3Zk6fSg

Crete-Lease 20-VOC: http://bit.ly/3Zhf3bk

🎏 Recommended Reading For Creatives:

The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield: https://amzn.to/3VTaSQ0

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon: https://amzn.to/3Qq0yxV

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon: https://amzn.to/3Zm46Wi

The Practice by Seth Godin: https://amzn.to/3XfRnT9

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss: https://amzn.to/3WU4ZDD

Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss: https://amzn.to/3QtIYJt

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey: https://amzn.to/3IslqCT

🎏 Recommended Tools For Concrete:

SawStop 52" 3 HP Table Saw: https://amzn.to/3k2sITq

Festool TS 55 Track Saw: https://amzn.to/3XgKz7L

Makita Cordless Track Saw W/Track: https://amzn.to/3Xf1Qye

Kraft Hopper Gun: https://amzn.to/3VMecMY

Flex Wet Polisher: https://amzn.to/3Iv6KCQ

Bostitch Pneumatic Stapler: https://amzn.to/3k1Wwjq

Bostitch Nailer: https://amzn.to/3Gm8P1u

Milwaukee Power Tools: https://amzn.to/3Xfmr58

Dewalt Power Tools: https://amzn.to/3IzheBd

Collomix Hand Mixer: https://amzn.to/3VRAIUK

Collomix Double Hand Mixer: https://amzn.to/3iloKoK

Imer Mix 120 Plus: https://amzn.to/3jZaQJ7

Timestamps: 

0:00 Preview 

0:24 Intro 

1:52 Brent's Story 

7:47 Fireplace Surrounds 

26:33 Fire Tables 

38:23 Rapid Set 

52:16 Simplicity isn't necessarily a bad thing 

53:51 People asking for advice 

1:03:43 Sealers 

1:12:18 How to decide when/if to move to another product 

1:24:12 Do fewer interior kitchens 

1:25:14 How to talk to designers & NOT lead w/countertops 

1:30:41 Practical vs Pushing the envelope 

1:42:28 Favorite materials to work with 

1:45:40 Steel casting tables 

1:51:50 Bathtubs 

1:54:40 Not working weekends 

1:56:31 When to call is quits vs pushing through 

2:00:43 Mistakes - fess up & learn 

2:04:05 checklists and trackers 

2:06:49 Micro holidays 

2:08:25 Longer vacations 

2:12:34 Small teams & how he flexes for bigger projects