Free learning resources are offered to do-it-yourselfers at TheMoldStore.com. Home improvement projects can add thousands to a home’s value. But often the initial materials price makes such projects cost prohibitive. Additionally, the average homeowner may not have the knowledge needed to undertake projects like making their own stone and tiles or adding brick facing to their fireplace. But with The Mold Store mold products, their instructional website, and DIY videos, customers learn to cast stone, pavers, brick veneer and cement tile for pennies per square foot – at home.
According to The Mold Store Founder and CEO John Panagos, "By using concrete molds almost anyone can complete projects at significant cost savings of 90 percent off retail prices." Four years ago, Panagos decided to run a Customer Project Contest after receiving project photos from a number of customers. "I was so impressed by the quality and beauty of their projects that I wanted to share them with the public. And it presented a great opportunity for our company to show what was possible by do-it-yourselfers and homeowners who had never worked with concrete or molds before."
Contestants in the company’s first contest included homeowner Scott Sellers. He researched his project cost and found TheMoldStore.com through a friend’s recommendation. To complete his project with manufactured stone would have cost $3,495 plus shipping. Natural stone would have cost $6,990 plus shipping. But, The Mold Store materials for his dream project came to only $350. Mr. Sellers said he was finally able to, "create the backyard stuck in my head for two decades." He added, "I guess this is one instance where the saying, you get what you pay for, does not apply. I saved a fortune."
The $1,000 Grand Prize winner was California resident, Kevin Brandon. In addition to a video The Mold Store made for his project page using his photos, Brandon created a time-lapse video of the patio preparation and paver installation process. It can be seen on the company’s contest website. "We now use Kevin’s video to train new customers making patio pavers," added Panagos.
TheMoldStore.com is the Internet marketing arm of Olde World Stone & Tile Molds, Inc. – a 23 year-old, family-run company that designs, manufactures and markets concrete building product molds world-wide via the Internet. In addition to their own websites, they operate eStores on Ebay, Amazon, Buy.com, Etsy, Artfire and other outlets. Their 5,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution facility is located in Port Charlotte, Florida.
