Meet Curtis Harmon, Online Sales Manager at Tile Outlets of America

Next in the Tile Outlets of America store manager series is Curtis Harmon, Online Sales Manager, from the Fort Myers store.

Update: effective January 31, 2017, Curtis has gone to explore music in New York City.

This series introduces you to the team members from each Tile Outlets store who are responsible for helping you transform your dream home into reality with the beautiful tile and stone products available at our stores.

So far, you have met:

From the Tile Outlets Fort Myers Store:

• Michele Hoover, Vice President of Store Operations and General Manager
• Jeremy Sisson, Assistant Store Manager
• Josh Morrison, Assistant Store Manager

From the Tampa Store:

• Chris Martin, General Manager
• Bill Granger, Assistant Store Manager
• Rickey Williams, Assistant Manager

From the Sarasota Store:

• Bob Stangs, Assistant Store Manager

Meet Tile Outlets' Online Sales Manager, Curtis Harmon

TOA: Curtis, tell us about yourself and your background. Have you been in Southwest Florida long?

CH: I am originally from New York (GO METS!). I moved here with my family almost 13 years ago, and oddly enough, the first place we moved to is right across the street from our Fort Myers location.

My first job was in the food industry, particularly catering. I went to school right up the road at Cypress Lake Center for the Arts.

TOA: What is your role/history at Tile Outlets of America?

CH: My history with Tile Outlets of America defines my role.

I started as a part-time cashier, and quickly started to learn more and more, particularly in the way of installation and display assembly. I worked for a long while fulfilling the dual roles of cashier and board-maker. I worked with, and learned from, my awesome and knowledgeable supervisors (Michele, Jason, and Chris) and began working on larger and more intricate displays.

In the process of improving my installation skills, I learned the tasks of being a puller, and got myself forklift certified in order to offer help on the floor when needed.

Subsequently, I worked my way through to a sales position, where I was given the opportunity to certify myself with the Ceramic Tile Institute. It wasn’t terribly long till my skills were combined into the role I fulfill now, which is the Online Sales Manager.

My job today, includes everything my previous jobs required of me. I am responsible for assisting customers who reach out to us via the web, and helping them with any design ideas or general questions that they may have. I also am present on the back end of the website, where we process the payments and fulfill every online order.

What I love most about my job is that I get to help customers from all over the country. I get to interact with very interesting and wonderful people. It’s a magical thing that I can offer assistance to someone from potentially 3000 miles away.

A tile backsplash Curtis installed and photographed in the Fort Myers Inspiration Area.

TOA: How did you get started with tile? Any surprises since you’ve been at Tile Outlets of America?

CH: I got started with tile the same way most of our customers do: by walking in the front door at a Tile Outlets of America. When I started my job, I always say that if someone told me tile was made out of paper - that I would have believed them. :)

I truly owe every piece of my knowledge to the supervisors who trained me, and the amazing staff that surrounds me. The only surprise I can think of that I have experienced was that I had found the best place possible to work and call home.

TOA: What do you love most about tile and stone?

CH: What’s not to love? Everyone loves improving their homes and working with tile and stone are the best ways to do it.

You can create an ENDLESS (seriously endless) number of design concepts for any project. Any artist at heart loves to get involved with tile and stone ideas. It’s a lifestyle.

Once you’ve experienced it, you can never go back. I notice the tile and stone everywhere I go now.

TOA: What do you love most about photographing tile and stone?

CH: I love photographing tile and stone, because it stays put when I’m shooting, and doesn’t complain ;)

I enjoy capturing the real life look of the tile for customers, so they get a realistic idea of what we offer. That is an important job.

Another tile backsplash Curtis installed and photographed in the Fort Myers Inspiration Area.

TOA: Which are your favorite products and why?

CH: My favorite products are larger format porcelain tiles. Particularly the ones that mimic real stone. With these, you have elegance and durability all in one. Talk about a win-win.

>> See Large Format Porcelain Tile For Outdoor or Indoor Use: The Element Series

>> See Porcelain Tile That Looks Like Marble: Venato and Helios

>> See Matte and Shiny Ceramic Wall Tile With Matching Porcelain Floor Tile: Augusta and Vermont

TOA: Are there interesting tile installations you’ve come across in the Fort Myers area?

CH: I’ve seen quite a range of installations in the Fort Myers area. Many of which have blown my mind with their precision, and others that make me think our store may have some products available to help them improve.

Obviously there’s no denying the mass amount of talent in the area. It is very important for customers to get on board with one of these experienced tile installers, in order to help them along with their more involved projects.

TOA: What tips do you have for someone getting ready for a tile or stone project?

CH: My tip for someone getting ready for a tile or stone project would be to have them come into our store and talk with our sales associates about what they want to accomplish.

Furthermore, our sales people can direct them to an appropriate licensed installer who can help them even further if needed. It’s important to remember that no two tile jobs are truly alike.

Every floor or wall is not always as flat as it appears, and having a licensed contractor/installer involved is super important in order to have your project specifically tailored to your home’s needs.

TOA: What’s the best way to prepare for a visit to the store?

CH: Come with a clear idea of what you want to accomplish.

Bring pictures of friends'/family’s houses where you may see examples of what you want.

Bring in pictures or plans of the area in your home that you are focusing on.

Maintain an open mind.

Be prepared to leave liking something you didn’t think you would.

Trust, with confidence, any female perspective ;)

>> Download the Dream Sheet Tile Project Checklist!

TOA: What do you do when you’re not immersed in tile?

CH: Outside of work I play a mean electric guitar in a metal band, and I love just simply being with my girlfriend and my dog doing just about anything. We like to go on nature walks and read instead of watching TV (her idea).

Traveling when I can has also been proven to be a rewarding venture.

TOA: Thank you, Curtis!

When you next visit Tile Outlets of America in Fort Myers, be sure to say hi to Curtis.

And don't forget to let all of us know how to help make your dream home become a reality with the beautiful selection of in-stock and first quality porcelain and ceramic tile, stone, mosaics, cabinets and more that you'll find available for a whole lot less in the Fort Myers store and online where Curtis will be ready to answer your questions!