Ground Floor: New Cedar Rapids business owner has an eye for design

By Deborah Neyens, correspondent

CEDAR RAPIDS The summer and fall months typically are a busy time for people in the home building industry, and this building season has been an extra hectic one for Tasha Stone.

Stone, who has worked in the flooring design and sales business for 13 years, has been assisting several local home builders finish construction in time for the Greater Cedar Rapids Area Home Builders Association Parade of Homes, which starts on Sept.27.

In the middle of juggling multiple projects, Stone found time to launch her own carpet and flooring store.

Its something Ive been thinking about for several years, said Stone, who opened Stepping Stones Custom Floors in Cedar Rapids on Aug. 4.

It all fell into place for an August opening.

While Stone acknowledges that it has been a challenge managing her time between the builds and getting the new store organized, she said the timing was right for her to become a small business owner.

Ive been wanting to be my own boss, she said. I wanted to be able to pick and choose what products come into my own store. I want to build a future and leave a legacy for my kids.

A key to Stones decision to move forward with her business plans was finding just the right location.

I wanted retail customers to know about the location, and what better place than First Avenue, she said.

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Ground Floor: New Cedar Rapids business owner has an eye for design