This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So here we go with our 51st installment visiting with Shanon Gipson, owner of Knoxville Wholesale Granite which serves the local community in the stone industry and provides great prices and fast turn around time for all kitchen, bath and stone needs.
What is your speciality? We fabricate and install custom granite countertops and vanities. If you can imagine it, we can do it.
How did you get started? When my mom had cancer, a local granite company came out and did our countertops at an affordable rate but with a whole lot of upcharges. So I decided I could do a better job at a more affordable rate without all the hidden costs.
Who is your mentor? Troy Pilkington helped me build my business working side by side with me. And, of course, my mom has always been my biggest supporter.
Describe your customers. We don’t have a set customer base. We do anything from commercial jobs to the smallest of bathroom vanities. We consider everybody’s job an important job.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started. I wish I knew that finding hard working loyal employees was an art. It took me a while to figure it out, but now I’m convinced I have the best crew. That was probably the biggest obstacle in the beginning.
What do you enjoy most about your business? I love the final result. It’s amazing every time you take a slab of granite and turn it into a beautiful countertop. It’s like seeing it for the first time every time.