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The concrete countertop industry is buzzing. In talking to concrete countertop makers and industry professionals, I've learned there is a lot of opportunity in this field. But in order for contractors to take advantage of these opportunities they need to be talented craftsmen with a high level of attention to detail, a passion for their art and the ability to tap their imaginations for new and brilliant ideas.

In addition, they need to be smart businesspeople. That means a strong marketing plan, a business model that ensures profit on each job and knowledge about the fast-paced industry. Contractors are seeing new products, ideas and techniques everywhere they look, which can be difficult to keep up with. That's why we put together the "Countertops Special Section" in this issue of Concrete Contractor. It's filled with pictures of beautiful concrete countertops and will prove to be a helpful and inspirational resource for contractors interested in learning more about this field.

The "Countertops Special Section" starts on page 35 and includes information about products and equipment for countertop making, a survey of educational and training resources, an article by Fu-Tung Cheng on creativity, and a piece by Bob Harris on the differences between cast-in-place and precast countertop making. The section starts off with a look at two countertop contractors with different backgrounds and styles, exploring how they started in countertop making and a look at some of their projects.

Through interviews for this special section and in past discussions, it's apparent countertop makers love their jobs. They speak of their projects with excitement and detail and are always willing to share images of their work. This energy makes it fun to be a part of the concrete countertop industry. There's a lot of education available on concrete countertop making and a lot of talented contractors who are willing to share what they know. I encourage you to take advantage of the industry's available opportunities and use them to educate yourself and enhance your countertop business.