b'NTCA MEMBER SPOTLIGHTDoing things right the fi rst time pays off for Omaha installerSwoboda Tile & Stone melds family tradition, industry training into successful businessSixyearsagonearOmaha, Neb.,buddingtilesetterJake Swoboda(www.facebook.com/SwobodaTileStone)waslearning how to always do things right, the fi time, as his uncle taught himrst thebasicsofthetrade.Swoboda now specializes in residential reno-vation and new construction, specif-ically tiled showers and bathrooms. To achieve the excellence he sought, he supplemented the foundation laid down by his uncle with manufactur-ers trainings, online resources and interactionwithotherinstallersin the Omaha area.Two years ago, Swoboda took his tile setting career up another notch, by joining the NTCA and successful-ly passing his Certifi ed Tile InstallerThis shower is part of a bathroom renova-tion with all natural stone. A challenge test, becoming CTI #1398.that I faced with this install was squar-I joined the NTCA to help fur- ing up the walls and making sure my ther my own knowledge and skillssubstrate underneath was super fl at, Swoboda said. Being able to wet shim oftheindustry,Swobodasaid.behind the foam board really helped Whatreallymakesitworthit,speed up this part of the project.56 TileLetter | August 2019'