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News and Media Releases Page 2
September 2001, Quick Brick Predicts Increase in “Cocooning” and Home Improvement Investments Psychological affects of terrorist attacks have consumers staying at home
May. 2001 Working Woman Magazine, Regional Winner in Dallas. "Entrepreneurial Excellence Award" in two categories; Sole Proprietor & Customer/Client Service
August 2001, Plano Profile Magazine, "On Campus"
April 2001, Inside Collin County Business, "Business Beat"
February 2001, Plano Star Courier, "Collin County Community College District"
July 1998, Big Spring Herald, "Features" "Mural Artist Brightens Retirement Home"
NEWS RELEASE 09-25-01
Contact:
Paulette Mason
972.985.9099
pmason@quickbrick.com
Quick Brick Predicts Increase in
“Cocooning” and Home Improvement Investments
Psychological affects of terrorist attacks have consumers staying at home
DALLAS (September 25, 2001) - Quick Brick, Inc. issued a statement today that one of the aftermaths of the horrible attacks on our nation would be an overwhelming urge by consumers to just “stay home.” Most people now are making resolutions to spend more time with family and friends doing simpler things like having others over for dinner, renting movies, and playing together in the backyard. From these choices will come an increased awareness of how visually pleasing the home’s interiors and exteriors are (or aren’t).
"’Cocooning’ is the need to protect oneself from the harsh, unpredictable realities of the outside world and is governing most American’s thoughts right now,'' says Faith Popcorn, a New York-based market research consultant who first coined the term. “As Americans seek a measure of security, comfort and even joy in the unpredictable post -September 11 world, home is one of the key places they are turning to find these intangibles."
According to a new Roper Reports survey, nearly nine out of ten people see their homes as a "private retreat," a place where they can "relax and get away from it all.'' They're canceling vacations, working at home (10.1 million people, says Popcorn, up 100 percent in the last five years), buying private security (now a $104 billion market, she points out) and turning home improvement into a $143 billion business.
“Our skilled artisans utilize painting methods and a variety of techniques to visually achieve a completely new surface on any patio, floor, or wall,” said Paulette Mason, CEO of Quick Brick, Inc. “Offering designs ranging from flagstone and river rock to Austin stone and traditional brick, we create a unique, one-of-a-kind look and have custom colors available to perfectly match any existing stonework our customers may have.”
Quick Brick, Inc. provides “Innovations by Artistic Masons” using our patent pending methods, applicators, and paint products. It is based in Plano, Texas. Quick Brick, Inc. may be contacted on the Internet at www.quickbrick.com or call 972.985.9099.
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Working Woman Magazine – May 2001 What it Takes --- The winners of our third annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards tell how they made it to the top-and how they plan to stay there. By Russell Wild |
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Plano Profile August 2001 ON CAMPUS Small business owners get big time help at SBDC
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Paulette Mason, owner of Quick Brick, started her company before visiting the SBDC. A successful Plano business owner, Mason recently received two “Working Woman” magazine’s Regional 2001 Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards for Sole Proprietor and Customer/Client Service. Because of SBDC she was ready for the publicity. Prior to her visit she thought she was ready to speak to magazines and newspapers that were interested in her story and product, but SBDC gave her some valuable advice. “They told me not to do that because you do not want to take a product to market until you are able to fulfill orders. That can leave you dead in the water,” she said. Now, she is ready to fill orders with a web site (www.quickbrick.com), a call center, a fulfillment center and a manufacturer. In addition to marketing, the SBDC has also guided Mason in getting a patent pending on her product. “The SBDC is like a flame of knowledge. I took a little bit of that flame and applied it to my business. It is a very viable support system. They have been like a family to me; they have given me a hand up and pointed me in the right direction,” she said. For more information about the CCCCD SBDC, call 972-985-3770 |
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INSIDE COLLIN COUNTY BUSINESS
April 2001 |
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Plano-Paulette Mason, local artist and entrepreneur, was recently honored at the 2001 Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards in Dallas. In an attempt “to recognize the achievements of women entrepreneurs at a regional and national level,” this annual event was hosted by Working Woman magazine. Mason and her award-winning product, called Quick Brick, will be traveling to Santa Monica, Calif. on April 2, 2001 to compete in the national-level competition. Mason, former chamber of commerce board member in Big Spring, TX, is a client of the Collin County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) housed at Collin County Community College Courtyard Center campus. Mason has 25 years experience as an artist, entrepreneur and inventor. She has also won awards in the fine arts and has been featured in the Big Spring Herald for her mural art. “I really could not have made it without the SBDC,” say Mason. “They put me in touch with lawyers, CPA’s, etc., and I enrolled in a class called Project New for women entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, one-on-one, confidential consulting is provided at no charge. Low cost workshops and seminars are scheduled on topics that are essential to business success. One of her biggest fans at the SBDC office is counselor coordinator Martin “Marty” Greenblatt. “Paulette was one of the few who won awards in two different categories,” he said. “She has had her business up and downs, so she really appreciates what is happening to her now.” “The process uses paint.” explains Greenblatt, basically using an applicator with paint; it is a simple process, but somewhat labor intensive, requiring artistic skill. Their admiration is mutual. “I have really learned a lot from Marty,” Mason says. “He has been my mentor.” Greenblatt, regarding the SBDC’s contribution, taps the table pointedly: “Our success is their success. That’s how we are rated.” |
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Big Spring Herald July 18, 1998 Features By Debbie L. Jensen |
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“Residents in this part of the country all have a similar experience,” said the administrator, Stacey Engel, who asked Mason to paint the mural. Both wanted a design that would be familiar to residents at the center. Engels said when the nursing center was remodeled recently, she noticed the large, blank wall in the activity room seemed bland and unattractive. When she visited Mason’s Lawn and Garden Center, owned by Randy and Paulette Mason, Engels asked for a referral of someone who could help, and discovered Mason was a mural artist and decorator with some creative ideas for the space. “It was two days later and she came to me with the design all planned,” Engels said. “I was thrilled.” “Basically, I just asked what they wanted,” Mason said, and Engels told me, “We need something bright and cheerful in here.” Mason said she has done similar work on a smaller scale, and at her store she is working on painting flagstones on a concrete floor, but this is her first large mural. Her interest in painting and decorating started when she was 7 years old. “I painted chipmunks on the mailbox,” she said. “The mailman just loved them.” Big Spring Care Center staff and residents are thrilled with the design. “It’s wonderful, so much more than what I had hoped for.” Said Sandy Heffington, activities director. “I love it”, said Robert Rutherford, a resident. “It really brightens up the place.” “I like the morning glories the best, “ said Margaret Ann Nichols. “They look so real.” Mason said she’s pleased that her work has been so well received, but admits the project has brightened up her life as well. “The residents here are my biggest encouragement,” Mason said. “I just fell in love with the people, they have so many stories to tell.” |
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