Toni DeFrancescoThe Tile Mural Store make mine a million $ business powered by: count me in

My Story

Nearly a decade ago I purchased a house that was built in 1967 and was in need of serious updating. The kitchen was a small U-shaped kitchen with a window behind the sink and wall behind the cook top. To make the space appear more open, I wanted to install a tile mural behind the range. My search began. I visited every tile store in my County only to find that none of the stores offered tile murals. My next approach was to use the power of the internet. Again, my searches were in vain. I could not find a company that sold tile murals. Being determined to get what I wanted, I decided to make my own tile mural. I was lucky enough to know someone that had a ceramic kiln and so I purchased the materials I needed to make my tile mural backsplash and she fired the designed tiles in her kiln for me. During all this I kept thinking that I could not be the only person who wanted to liven up their kitchen with a tile mural. So, starting with just about 100 designs, I began website called Picture This Tile Designs and offered tile murals. The response was almost immediate! As the years went on, I added more and more designs to delight the varying tastes and styles of people and their homes. With success comes competition and as time went on other “want to be” tile mural retailers began websites. You know the saying, “The best form of flattery is imitation.” Picture This Tile Designs became The Tile Mural Store. I chose the name The Tile Mural Store because, after all, that is what I specialize in – tile murals and accent tiles for kitchen backsplashes and bathroom tile designs for tub and shower surrounds. Today, The Tile Mural Store, offers more than anyone else selling tile murals. The Tile Mural Store is the only company to offer both kiln fired tile murals and tile murals made from the digital scans of original artworks.

My passion:

My business, my husband

Why I started my business:

To fill a need in the decorative tile market and to grow the business enough so it would become my sole employment

Why I joined the M3 RACE:

I want to continue to grow my business

Best business advice:

Treat customers fairly and honestly and give personal attention to each customer as an individual

My biggest challenge:

Funding for print/radio/TV advertising

What helps my business grow:

Taking the time to learn how to create effective marketing

How I balance work/life:

I try to stop working by 8 pm to enjoy time with my husband

Within five years, my business will:

Be synonymous with the place to go for decorative tile

My professional affiliations: