From Mike’s Desk

When October hits, there’s a couple of givens. Leaves are changing and falling, we’re likely getting an October frost, waterfowl are migrating, and there’s only so much time left to finish outdoor projects we’ve been thinking about all summer.

If you’re looking to finish a landscaping project before winter, Ivory Sand Wall Stone and Ivory Sand Steps are two options worth considering. They’re designed to make installation easier without giving up the natural character and one-of-a-kind appearance of real stone.

There’s still time to enjoy some beautiful fall days outside. And whether you’re finishing something this year or gathering ideas for next spring, it’s always a good time to think about what a little natural stone could add to your landscape.

Design Conversations: From Behind the Camera to Inside the Home

Our October Stone Journal Presents webinar brought together professional photographers Kyle Szef, Jacob Hand, and Laurelyn Harrig for a conversation about architectural photography.

With cameras in almost everyone’s pocket, it’s easy to assume anyone can do the job, but the planning, creativity, technical knowledge, and experience behind a great architectural photograph are something entirely different. I appreciate our panelists taking the time to share their expertise. Something that surprised me, although it probably shouldn’t have, was communication issues in projects. Apparently, whether we’re talking about stone or photography, we all occasionally struggle with “hearing” the right thing.

One lesson I took away is don’t assume if someone gives you pictures you have the legal rights to use them. Do your homework beforehand to respect the talent and work of others.

Upcoming Webinar: November 5: Natural Stone in Interior Design

Natural Stone in Interior Design

Our next Design Conversations webinar shifts the focus from capturing beautiful spaces to creating them. I’m pretty well versed in the idea of stone uses in interiors. A few years back I installed stone on a wall in my basement using LATICRETE International and Silver Patina Ledgestone. No fireplace, no backsplash, just an accent wall calling for a unique finish.

For me, natural stone has an important place in interior design consideration, and its possibilities extend well beyond the traditional fireplace. The texture and character natural stone brings to a room is unlike any other design consideration and can become an integral part of an interior’s design.

In this webinar, we’ll explore how you can thoughtfully incorporate natural stone into interior spaces, including material selection, design considerations, and creative applications.

This upcoming webinar is especially relevant for interior designers, and we’re excited to offer it for IDCEC continuing education credit. Make sure to review the Q&A section if you have questions on how to receive your presentation credits.

When the People Behind the Stone are the People Behind the Wheel

When we talk about the people behind Buechel Stone, we often think about those working in our quarries, production facilities, or offices. But there’s another group of people who play an important role in getting our stone where it needs to go: the drivers of Rolling Rockstar Transit.

Our trucking division, Rolling Rockstar Transit, is an important part of our business, and it’s an area that often doesn’t get enough consideration. To be fair, it’s a newer division for Buechel Stone. we approached trucking with a renewed sense of purpose. Get stone moved, be a profit center, and help expand a great experience for our customers. When we decided to open other locations and a warehouse, this was just a natural progression.

Getting natural stone to a customer’s location isn’t quite like delivering an Amazon order to your front door, but we are working to make it feel that simple. Stone is heavy, loads require careful handling, and deliveries do not always go as planned. Weather, traffic, tight delivery locations, and changing schedules are all part of the job.

For many customers, our drivers may be the only Buechel Stone team members they ever meet in person. That makes them more than the people delivering the product. They’re also representing our company and the service we want people to remember.

It’s easy to overlook what happens between the time stone leaves our facility and the moment it arrives at its destination. But that part of the journey matters just as much as the work that came before it. As the last point of contact in the customer experience, a lot of responsibility rolls down to our drivers. They have the opportunity to leave customers with a lasting impression of Buechel Stone.

Having spent some time behind the wheel myself, I have a special appreciation for what our drivers deal with and the responsibility that comes with the job. To all our Rolling Rockstar Transit drivers, thank you for the long hours, the miles traveled, and the responsibility you take on every day. You’re an important part of the Buechel Stone story, and we appreciate what you do.

Closing Thought

As I finish writing everything we covered this month, communication seems to be a common thread. Whether it’s a photographer, a designer, or a truck driver, getting things right often depends on how well we understand one another.

It’s also easy to appreciate the finished result without recognizing the people who made it possible. I think we could all benefit from taking a little more time to appreciate the work happening behind the scenes. Often, those are the people making the biggest difference.

Until next month,

– Mike