Recipe: Ultimate Chocolate Brownies
Well I thought I’d pass along another recipe for those wanting to spend more time in their new, or remodeled kitchen enjoying their granite countertops. After reading the blog, Chocolate: Fact & Fiction, that stated that according to a Harvard medical study chocoholics have a longer life span, I decided I needed to share another favorite chocolate recipe. This one is for the all of the brownie lovers out there. After making this recipe, I guarantee you’ll never buy box brownies again. It’s easy to make and they are definitely delicious. Enjoy.
Ultimate Chocolate Brownies
3/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa
2/3 cup butter melted
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1-1/3 cup cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
6 oz. chocolate chips
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9″ cake pan. In bowl, combine cocoa & baking soda. Blend in 1/3 cup melted butter. Now add 1/2 cup boiling water to that mixture. Stir until mixture thickens. Stir in sugar, eggs & remaining 1/3 cup melted butter. Stir until smooth. Now add vanilla, flour & salt. Blend completley. Stir in chocolate ships. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Frost with chocolate frosting when cool.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on April 30th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Builders Product and Service Show A Success
This years Builders Product and Service show, sponsored through BATC, proved to be another successful event. The show was held, Wednesday, April 25th from 3:00 to 9:00 pm at the Minneapolis Convention in Minneapolis, MN. The show was open to builders and remodelers throughout the twin cities area who were able to browse various booths and see the latest products.
We were able to visit with many of our existing customers and also had the opportunity to make some new contacts by exhibiting our colors and products. The Builders Product and Service show is always a great place to visit and enjoy some great conversations. Following are some photos of the event I wanted to share.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Granite, Company, Industry News, Business on April 27th, 2007 by Barb | | 2 Comments
Interesting Take On Competition
I recently read “Addressing Your Competition: It’s Not Who You Think,” an article in the April 2007 Qualified Remodeler magazine that had an interesting take on competition. 
The article basically stated that our competition is not the contractor, or granite fabricator down the street selling granite countertops, but time. Most small businesses and business owners have unending daily demands on them and time is something that is limited. There are only so many hours in a day.
The article went on to say that in order to compete effectively, you truely need to think about your presentation. What makes you stand out from your competition? It is always important to let your customers know your expertise and any positive comments from past customers, feature projects, etc. Check out our Testimonial page to hear what some of our customers are saying about Paramount Granite Company and Customer Service, Quality, Lead-Time, Product and Professionalism.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Granite, Company, Business on April 26th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Multi-tasking—Friend or Foe?
In today’s world, we are constantly distracted by e-mail, the internet, cell phones, text messages, etc. Most jobs, including those at Paramount Granite Company, require a person to be a multi-tasker, juggling between several different things at once. While multi-tasking is often necessary and beneficial, it can also create stress and sometimes cause your head to feel like it is spinning. With so many things going on all at the same time, it is sometimes hard for people to slow down and just relax.
I recently came across an article titled, “Overworked & Overbooked,” in an October 2006 issue of Prevention magazine, which listed some tips and suggestions for slowing down after so much multi-tasking.
Following are some of their suggestions:
- When you’re stressed out, get a change of scenery. Go outside and breath in the fresh air. Take a walk. See the beauty in nature.
- Meditate for 20 minutes every day.
- Listen to some easy listening music.
- Reach out to loved ones. Give them a hug.
- Write down things you need to remember before going to bed to help ease your mind and allow for a peaceful night of sleep.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Business on April 25th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Quality & Customer Service Does Matter!
Yesterday I was paging through the April 2007 issue of Stone World magazine and came across a Fabricators Roundtable article discussing various issues related to increased competition in the market place. One of the questions presented was, “Does quality still matter and are people willing to pay for it?” I was anxious to read how other fabricators around the country responded because this has been a very hot topic.
When we started Paramount Granite Company over 10 years ago, there were maybe 10 fabricators, or so in the state. Today I’ve heard there are around 80, or so. I’m really not sure of the exact number. I don’t even keep track anymore. I know which fabricators are reputable and can do a good job. I know of some others that are considered “hack” shops, and I know of others who will almost give their stone away just to get some work. I also know that this is common in any industry and happens when there is increased competition and the market becomes saturated.
What bothers me is when customers sacrafice quality just to save a couple bucks. I have to admit, it is sometimes hard to take when you hear about a customer who has been with you for awhile and leaves because a competitor knocked on the door offering a way cheaper price. What is nice though, is when that same customer comes back after a short period of time and admits they miss the quality and customer service they got from Paramount Granite Company.
It was nice to see that other fabricators in different areas of the country agree for the most part that many people are willing to pay a little more for quality work and good customer service. Paramount Granite Company has a reputation for quality workmanship and when there is a problem we address it in a reasonable amount of time. For those that need to price shop for the lowest buck, remember the saying “you get what you pay for.” We’ll still be around doing a quality job and providing good customer service if you decide to return.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Granite, Company, Industry News on April 24th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Coverings Show Features Latest Technology & Material For Stone Industry
Last week we had the opportunity to attend the Coverings show, one of the largest trade shows in America for the stone and tile industry. 
The event was held at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL and ran Tuesday, April 17 through Friday, April 20th. The show included more than 1200 exhibit booths from suppliers and distributors displaying stone, equipment, tile, tooling, etc. from around the world.
Each year the show just seems to get bigger and bigger. Since the show was in Chicago this year, we were able to bring several team members to take in some of the industry’s latest technology. We also had the opportunity to enjoy some of Chicago’s fine city cuisine including a loaded Chicago dog!
Following are some pictures to enjoy from the show:
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Company, Industry News on April 23rd, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Job Swap?
No you’re not seeing things. That’s Troy, our lead installer, sitting in the PGC PT Cruiser. You may be wondering… did Troy and Joel, (our sales rep), switch jobs for the day?
That would be a sight!
No, that’s just Troy preparing himself for the ride to the airport to attend the Coverings show in Chicago. He needed a minute to settle in, seeing as the PT Cruiser isn’t as macho as the install truck. Well they made it to the airport just fine and had a good time at the show.
…Details on the Coverings Show in my next blog.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Company on April 22nd, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
Recipe: Chocolate Molten Cakes
Since many of our customers end up spending more time in their kitchens cooking, baking and of course enjoying their new granite countertops, I thought I’d share a recipe I came across. This one is for the true chocoholics out there. I am one of those people who believe that chocolate is the seventh food group, so I was ecstatic when I came across this recipe. I got it from Kraftfoods.com and I personally find it heavenly. I give it a five star rating for taste and ease in preparation. Give it a try. You’ll be glad you did!
Chocolate Molten Cakes
| 4 squares BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate |
| 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter |
| 1 cup powdered sugar |
| 2 eggs |
| 2 egg yolks |
| 6 Tbsp. flour |
| 1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping |
|
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Cooking in your kitchen on April 18th, 2007 by Barb | | 1 Comments
Fabricating 101
I am often surprised at the number of consumers who are confused between a fabricator and a supplier, so I thought I’d take some time to help educate them. We, (Paramount Granite Company), are a fabricator of natural stone. As a fabricator, we:
- Have a showroom open to the public and have many colors, samples and slabs to choose from, as well as sinks, etc.
- Provide a proposal to the customer for bidding purposes
- Field measure your countertops
- Custom cut your stone to your specifications
- Polish the edges of your countertops, etc. from the edge profile you choose
- Install & deliver your stone countertops
Most suppliers have showrooms and carry a large selection of slabs of granite and other natural stones available for selection and viewing for the public. When you go to a supplier, you are going there to select your stone. That is it.
Any questions regarding the design, layout, edges, measure dates, install dates, etc. should be directed to us, Paramount Granite Company, the fabricator.
Following are several photos to help you get a visual for the fabrication process.
Yukon bridge saw—used to custom cut your stone to your specifications.
CNC Mill—used to run undermount sink preps and curve pieces.
Pro Edge straight line polisher—used to polish straight line edges.
Hand tools—used for finishing edges and touch up work.
Hand tools—used for finishing edges and touch up work.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Granite on April 17th, 2007 by Barb | | 2 Comments
We’re Blogging!
Welcome to the first Paramount Granite Company Blog post. 
We’ve been talking about adding a Blog Site for a while and our friends at Prime Advertising were eager to help us out and get us up and running. Some of you might be new to blogs, while others might be familiar and subscribe to certain blog sites. For those who are unclear on the term blogging, Ask.com incorporates a definition from The American Heritage® Dictionary:
blog (n.) A weblog.
blog (v.) To write entries in, and add material to, or maintain a weblog.
PCMag.com defines a blog this way:
A Web site that contains dated text entries in reverse chronological order (most recent first) about a particular topic. Blogs serve many purposes from online newsletters to personal journals to “ranting and raving.” They can be written by one person or a group of contributors. Entries contain commentary and links to other Web sites, and images as well as a search facility may be included. Blogs may also contain video.
We’re excited to be up and running and hope to bring you valueable information in regards to granite countertops, natural stone, the remodeling and building industry, maintenance and care, new colors, tips, etc.
We hope that you will enjoy the new dialogue and subscribe for the latest industry information.
Thanks for reading!
Barbara Rodgers
Posted in Company on April 16th, 2007 by Barb | | 0 Comments
