having employees. But I was learn- ing and still moving forward hard.” In 2008, he had six employees and spent most of his time on esti- mates. The recession was not kind to him, and his company fell apart. “But I did not give up, though it was one of the hardest personal struggles I’ve been through. I kept my license current and by 2010/11, I was back in the mix.” Today, he owns Artisan Tile in Lompoc, Calif., that gets 90% of its business – mostly residential – from referrals, without a website! Why? He stands out from the crowd due to his attention to detail and a cer- tain artistic flair that stems from the artistry and precision he learned when working for the tile setter duo. “I was taught the trade by an artist couple, and their emphasis on meticulous details and creativ- ity has stayed with me to this day,” he said. “I will always be far from perfect but the joy from that chal- lenge of trying to be so strikes new on every single job I do. There are guidelines and proper methods, but there are few limits to the artistry of installation itself. I love to tile.” Moreno has been a NTCA mem- ber for only a year, which he joined to bring himself up to date with proper installation methods and materials. Though he is still feel- ing out the ultimate benefits of the association for his business, he said he has “found great value in having access to a variety of tested meth- ods, materials and professionals Designed to deliver attractive, high-quality tile surfaces while preventing call-backs, Custom® Building Products’ Prism® Ultimate Performance Cement Grout is the proven, go-to option for a wide variety of installation proj- ects. A high-per- formance cement grout meeting ANSI A118.7, it’s formulated for higher strength, more resistance to cracking and less water absorp- tion to reduce the likelihood of staining. Prism Ultimate Performance Cement Grout can be used in joints from 1/16” to 1/2”. It will not mottle or shade regardless of tile type, temperature or humidity, and does not contribute to efflorescence. The density provides stain resis- tance while its rapid-setting formula expedites projects. Prism Ultimate Performance Cement Grout is light- weight, giving installers unmatched handling and workability while contributing to LEED certification. Available in 17-pound boxes, Prism Ultimate Performance Cement Grout covers the same area as a 25-pound bag of standard grout. www.custombuildingproducts.com. NTCA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 58 TileLetter | March 2019