BUSINESSMAN SEALS HIS SUCCESS IN STONE

Big business is starting to appreciate the importance of protecting their man-made and natural surfaces to reduce the need for maintenance and cleaning, the founder of Prestige Surfaces Australia, Matt Nash, said.

A third-generation small businessman, Matt is passionate about all things stone. Raised to understand the beauty and care required in cleaning natural and man-made surfaces by his father and grandfather, who each ran small cleaning businesses, Matt launched his own business in 2010.

Prestige Surfaces Australia specialises in cleaning, sealing and protecting natural stone and concrete surfaces, including sandstone, bluestone, concrete, travertine, porcelain, terracotta, granite, marble and limestone, to ensure it wears better, lasts longer and retains its good looks.

The business took off, quickly finding success in the domestic market as homeowners sought to protect their investment in high-quality stone surfaces.

This has now extended to the business sector with an array of large new clients discovering the value of the service, including Shannon Bennett’s Vue de Monde restaurant, Melbourne Airport, the new Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC), ANZ, Woolworths, Brookfield Multiplex, Hacer Group, Kane Constructions, Baron Forge, property giant Grocon, and many “top tier” construction firms throughout Melbourne.

It has been a big leap for Prestige Surfaces Australia, which has recorded year on year growth since it launched, but Matt is taking the success in his stride.

“Businesses invest large amounts of money on stone surfaces to ensure their premises look good and for an insignificant amount of money we can ensure their investment is properly maintained and protected for the life of the stone,” Matt said.

“If you invest in proper cleaning and sealing it saves you time and money in the longer term and this is particularly valuable for hospitality businesses, hospitals, schools, airports and commercial developments, where there is high foot traffic and surfaces otherwise need to be maintained daily.”

In busy places, such as airports and hospitals, proper protection helps reduce maintenance and cleaning requirements and ensures the stone surface lasts longer, wears better and retains its good looks.

Matt believes the sector is learning to value the protection his service brings to man-made and natural stone surfaces, and he is regularly approached by architects and landscape architects, project managers and developers who want to ensure their work wears well and is well maintained for the life of the building.

“It is very important to maintain your stone. We work with all natural and man-made surfaces using time-honoured processes and high performance products to create longer lasting finishes to protect your surface,” he said.

“I’ve noticed a change in people’s thinking and my clients are really keen to make beautiful things last. Not only is this good for my business – I’ve moved from working on small residential projects to medium and large commercial developments – it’s also good for their projects and especially good for the stone.”

Secrets of success:

• Be responsive. Respond to queries from potential customers quickly and efficiently.

• Face problems head on. Every business encounters problems. Address problems calmly, confidently, quickly; whether your fault or not.

• Confidence is paramount. Always be confident in what you do to ensure your customers have faith in your product and service.

• Invest in good fleet management and booking software and ensure you are well organised.

• Communicate your messages clearly. Earn and keep your place at the front of your customers’ minds through a marketing mix, such as social media, online, print, email etc. Test strategies to see what works best for your business.

• Seek advice. Take every opportunity to learn from others who run successful businesses and heed their advice.

• Run your business like a business, considering everything from debt collection to business insurance. Incorporate strong systems in everything you do to streamline operations.

   

For further information visit www.prestigesurfaces.com.au or call (03) 8712 2405.