Do you want to be successful creating with concrete?
You can, with The Ultimate Creative Concrete Training!
Want proof? The real proof of a training program is the success of the alumni.
Since 2004, over 1500 people from around the world have trained with The Concrete Countertop Institute.
Look at the amazing creations that those alumni make:
CCI is dedicated to your success.
It takes more than showing up for a few days and playing with concrete with some cool people. The truly hard work starts when you go home, and that’s when CCI’s program really kicks in and your lifetime support begins.
We are here to build your knowledge, your confidence, and your success. CCI’s focus is 100% on our alumni, not on ourselves.
It’s all we do, day in and day out, year in and year out. We have the perspective of the entire community of CCI alumni all over the world, and we know exactly what works and what doesn’t, proven over and over.
How do we do it? Hear from some alumni:
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The CCI Difference:
Concrete countertop training that really works.
Why should you take this class rather than some other concrete countertop class?
– Learn not just how, but why.
You will truly understand, not just follow someone else’s technique blindly. There is a difference between truly understanding concrete based on real technical knowledge and merely knowing how to work with concrete based on experience that came from making mistakes over and over and eventually finding solutions but not understanding *why* those solutions work.
– Use from-scratch mixes.
We teach using from-scratch mixes, not a proprietary product that you’ll be forced to use because you don’t understand concrete countertop mix design. You get the freedom to choose your own mix and your own sealer.
– Get 100% dedicated, lifetime support post-class.
We are not too busy running our own creative concrete business to help you. We are here for your success. We focus 100% on helping our alumni, day in and day out. And our alumni help each other too.
– Get extensive documentation and turn-key systems for running your business.
You will leave class with hundreds of pages of both technical and business documentation and systems, including exactly how to market and sell creative concrete. You’ll get a contract, sales scripts, pricing worksheet, quality checklists, and much more.
– Take the class that WORKS, proven by our successful alumni.
Check out the amazing concrete creations our alumni make:
Meet your instructors:
Learn at the working shop of one of the preeminent concrete artisans today.
This course is co-taught by CCI president and founder Jeff Girard and our star alumnus Caleb Lawson of Lawson Design.
Jeff Girard
Hi, I’m Jeff Girard with The Concrete Countertop Institute.
I don’t have slick photos of myself to show you. This is from my one and only professional photo shoot, during an alumni event at Caleb’s shop in 2019. I hope you like it, because it’s all I’ve got!
What I do have is almost 2 decades of experience teaching and consulting all over the world, AND the success stories of the thousands of people I’ve helped. I’m here to help you create YOUR success story, not to brag about myself.
Although you should know, I’m an engineer. I can’t help it, I was born that way. I went on to become a Licensed Professional Engineer specializing in Civil Engineering – you know, the people who can create bridges and buildings that won’t fall down.
I approach everything from an engineering problem solving standpoint, based on sound scientific principles. My approach is not based on experience that comes from making mistakes over and over and eventually finding solutions but not understanding why those solutions work. I can tell you why.
Design is great, and a lot of the creativity that goes into problem solving also helps me with design. A designer can make a building look good, but an engineer can make sure it doesn’t fall down. Who would you rather have on your team?
Caleb Lawson
Hi, I’m Caleb Lawson with Lawson Design in Canton, NC.
I got into concrete in 2012 after a chance conversation with a member of my church, Chuck, led me to start managing his concrete countertop business, Price Concrete, in 2012. After just a few months, I went all in: I purchased his business. I loved working with my hands, creating something beautiful that lasts. I was hooked on concrete.
But I was in over my head. Chuck wasn’t able to train or support me properly, and I needed help. I sought training from the best mind in this niche industry: Jeff Girard. That was October 2013.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of working on incredible concrete projects, always knowing that Jeff had my back. I’ve grown as an artisan and a business person. In 2021, I moved my shop from Orlando, FL, to my wife’s small hometown of Canton, NC, and changed the name to Lawson Design. It was time to focus on my family and to make my own mark on the concrete industry under my own family name.
I’ve come to consider Jeff a friend as well as a mentor. I’m honored to teach alongside him and to give others the opportunity to build their success, like I did, creating with concrete.
Come see my shop, and see exactly how I did it! Join me in the community of concrete artisans.
You can do it!
Do you want to do what Caleb did? You can.
In this class, he will teach you exactly how he does it, in his working shop.
You will join Caleb and the entire group of successful CCI alumni who are part of the most intensive creative concrete training and support program ever offered.
You will receive lifetime personal support from both Caleb and CCI founder Jeff Girard.
Plan now to train with us Oct 31 – Nov 4, 2022 in Canton NC.
Register now with a $1000 deposit and secure your spot in the preeminent training event of the year.
There is no risk to registering, but there are unlimited rewards and unlimited possibilities awaiting you.
Join us. Be a part of the community that cares about you and your success.
Click here for more about the project featured in this video.
Click here for more about engineering.
Registration
Tuition: $3995 (Pay only a $1000 deposit!)
Schedule: Oct 31 – Nov 4, 2022
Where: Lawson Design in Canton, NC
Registration: Click here to register
What will I learn?
You will learn:
- Professional templating methods
- Professional forming methods
- Mold making for countertops and integral sinks
- Sink and faucet layout
- How to construct a casting table
- Reinforcing of both simple and complex shapes, including large sink holes, curves, and cantilevers
- Principles of concrete countertop mix design
- Engineered precast mix formula that achieves compressive strengths of over 4000 PSI in 1 day
- The from-scratch formula and calculator for a simple, 100% successful, properly engineered, GFRC mix
- How to use GFRC to create solid, variegated (hand-pressed), and exposed aggregate looks
- How to spray mist coat correctly for the best finish
- How to apply backer coat correctly for the strongest concrete
- When to use scrim for extra strength
- How to foam core GFRC to reduce weight and increase strength even more
- Grinding and polishing GFRC
- How to seal GFRC
- Work with both CSA cement and portland cement
- How to cast and cure, and what concrete is actually doing when it cures
- How to grind, hone and polish
- Grout formula
- Detailed information about sealer chemistries, from acrylic to urethane, and how to apply professional-grade, stain-proof sealer
- How to transport slabs to the job site
- How to achieve the perfect installation, including undermount sinks
- Use the professional-grade materials and tools you really need, in a model concrete countertop shop
- Business topics: The most effective marketing techniques, how to price, systems to increase profitability, how to build a website and use social media, and more. You will receive a complete package of every business form you need, including a contract, brochure, specifications, estimating spreadsheet, quality checklists and more.
You will receive:
- Precast and GFRC from-scratch mix calculators
- Detailed instruction manual on precast concrete countertop manufacturing
- Detailed instruction manual on GFRC concrete countertop manufacturing
- Comprehensive guide to marketing and selling concrete countertops, plus a contract, estimating spreadsheet, brochure, architectural specifications and more
- A project management course that includes quality checklists and procedures for managing multiple projects, resulting in fewer mistakes and higher profits
- Over 400 pages in all of extensive reference materials, plus 2 hours of live action videos on GFRC and almost 8 hours of online seminars
- A diploma
- Lifetime, unlimited support from instructors via phone and email.
- Lifetime membership in our community of creative concrete professionals
Will this really make me successful, with just 5 days of training?
Yes, if you go home and work hard and apply what you learned. And take advantage of our 100% dedicated, lifetime support.
But don’t take our word for it. Look at the CCI Alumni Success Stories. When you become a CCI Alumnus, you have far more than training – you have a life-long network of supportive colleagues.
Do I get to take anything home?
Yes! If you drive to class, take home one of the class projects! (We will draw names if we have more drivers than class projects.) We don’t sell our class projects, they become part of YOUR portfolio.
When, where, and cost?
What is your refund policy?
– If you need to cancel for any reason, the $1000 deposit becomes a credit towards a future hands-on class within 6 months of your original class date. Any additional tuition you paid is fully refundable.
– You can choose to apply your credit right away towards the self-study course “How to Start a Concrete Countertop Business”. That way you can use all of the textbooks, mix calculators, videos etc. as self-study materials until you can attend an in-person class.
– Please see our Class Policies form for details.
What is your COVID-19 policy?
We always take safety seriously, especially now. Here are some of the extra safety precautions we’re implementing:
– This class is limited to a small class size of 15 students.
– The spacious shop allows for ample social distancing.
– The weather at this time of year is typically in the mid 60s, which allows for open doors and good ventilation.
– Currently masks are not required in NC.
– Disclosure of vaccination status is not required.
– All students will be required to sign a waiver no more than 3 days prior to the class stating that they have no symptoms or likely exposure and understand the risks.
When and where is this class offered?
The Ultimate Creative Concrete Training class is offered only 2-4 times per year. See above for the upcoming class dates.
How much does it cost?
$3995. Click here to register with a $1000 deposit.
Breakfast, hot lunch and all class materials (textbook, mix calculator, videos and more) are included, plus all the benefits listed above.
What’s the class size?
This Ultimate class is limited to 15 students.
Who should take this class?
This class is for people serious about starting and succeeding in a business creating countertops, sinks, furniture, fire pits and more with concrete. You do not need prior concrete experience, but you do need to be very handy and capable of professional level projects such as carpentry, tile work, home building, etc. This class is not for do-it-yourselfers. Consider our DIY training instead.
How do I sign up?
Click here to register with a $1000 deposit. Balance payment of $2995 is due 6 weeks before class starts.
Eye Candy
Check out these examples of alumni creations… and start dreaming of your own concrete creations!
Some of Caleb’s creations:
More alumni creations:
Make Every Concrete Countertop Project a Great One
Lights, Concrete, Creativity: Interview with Brent Indenbosch
Know Your Market: A key to success as a creative concrete professional
Onyx Castings: Building a Solid Brand
Rock Solid Concrete Artisans: Reinventing a Skill
HGTV Show Featuring Concrete Countertops
Taking a Chance with Custom Concrete Designs
Building a Concrete Countertop Business by Building Relationships
How Concrete Commander Built a Successful Creative Concrete Business
Alumnus Success Story of Caleb Lawson
