When Sam Thompson launched Sundance Tile and Stone in 2004, he never intended to build a thriving coastal Georgia business. In fact, his sights were set on Sundance, Wyoming, where he planned to relocate and help with missionary work.
More than two decades later, Thompson is still in Georgia, leading a successful fabrication and installation company and relying on guidance from the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) as he plans for the future of the business.
Based in Brunswick, Sundance Tile and Stone provides custom countertop fabrication and installation, and tile work. With help from the UGA SBDC in Brunswick, the business has grown to $2.2 million in annual sales and a team of 20 employees. Last year alone, the company sold more than 1,500 natural stone corner shelves, which were shipped to customers in all 50 states.
Yet, the business began almost by accident.
In preparation for his move west, Thompson had already purchased a truck for the business he hoped to open there and branded it with the Sundance Tile and Stone logo. He began picking up local work to keep himself busy.
“A contractor that I had done work for saw the truck and called me to see if was doing work,” said Thompson. “That job turned into a couple other jobs, and before I knew it, I was hiring people.”
As the business started to gain momentum, Thompson’s plans to move to Wyoming also fell through. He decided to stay in Georgia and build the company. To ensure he was laying the right foundation, he sought assistance from the UGA SBDC in Brunswick Area Director David Lewis.
“I wanted to make sure if I started a business and stayed here that I was doing it the right way,” said Thompson. “So, I went and talked to David at the UGA SBDC. He gave me some ideas and guidance to make sure I got everything set up right.”
Over the years, Thompson transformed the company from a small tile installation business into a full-service fabrication operation. He gradually invested in fabrication equipment, expanded his team and brought production in-house. The company eventually purchased a property downtown with offices, a showroom, and space for its fabrication equipment.
Throughout that growth, Lewis has served as a trusted advisor.
“Sam has been a client for nearly 20 years,” said Lewis. “We began working with them a couple of years after start up when they were just establishing themselves in the market and starting to grow. We have provided advice and counsel on a regular basis ever since on a variety of business topics.”
Over the years, the UGA SBDC has assisted Sundance Tile and Stone with QuickBooks training, cash flow management, budgeting, financial analysis, human resource challenges, equipment purchasing decisions and strategic planning. Lewis also helped Sam Thompson navigate ownership transition planning when his son, Brian Thompson, became part-owner of the company.
“He helped me navigate the all the details related to the exit strategy, the retirement plan, while making sure everything was done legally and documented,” said Sam Thompson.
More recently, the Thompsons have been meeting with Lewis regularly to focus on strategic planning and preparing the company’s next generation of leadership.
Brian Thompson, who has worked alongside his father since childhood and now serves as part-owner and operations manager, is gradually taking on more responsibility for the company’s future.
“This past year and a half, we’ve started meeting with him once a month,” said Brian Thompson. “If anything, it gets us together to talk about next steps for the business which is helpful.”
For Sam Thompson, those meetings have become an important way to transfer not only ownership but also business knowledge to the next generation. Despite the focus on the company’s growth, he remains focused on people, family, and creating a legacy.
“One of the things I’ve enjoyed the most out of this whole journey is building this company with my son,” said Sam Thompson. “I want to be able to leave something solid for years to come.”
The UGA SBDC also helped the company identify grant opportunities and provided support as the business continued to invest in growth. Lewis connected Sam Thompson with resources that helped Sundance Tile and Stone secure funding for equipment that improved fabrication efficiency and expanded production capabilities.
Since becoming a UGA SBDC client in 2008, Sundance Tile and Stone has grown from $190,000 in annual sales and three employees to $2.2 million in annual sales and a team of 20 employees, representing more than 1,050% revenue growth.
Looking back, Sam Thompson credits much of his company’s success to surrounding himself with trusted advisors and continuing to seek guidance as new challenges arise.
“[Our UGA SDDC business consultant] definitely at the top of the list when I have any kind of business question. If he doesn’t know the answer, he’s got a list of resources and people who can get the answer for me. That’s been a huge help to me.”
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