Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Carlos Ruiz.
Juan Carlos, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The journey of Architectile began in 2013, while I was managing the Miami Showroom of Ann Sacks, a Kohler luxury tile company, and earning my Bachelor’s Degree at Florida International University. I knew then that I was meant to run my own business and that I was going to design and manufacture my own line of cement tiles.
My love of creating things with my hands inspired me to learn how to make tiles myself – with my own hands and from scratch. I worked hard to teach myself the art of creating cement tiles. I built my own shop and have spent countless hours using trial and error to perfect my craft.
After two years of experimenting, testing, and researching, I found myself very frustrated because I was struggling with the production process. I knew I had to reach out for a mentor. I randomly emailed several factories in Spain (since I knew the language and the culture) asking for someone willing to train me knowing that it was a crazy suggestion because trade secrets were just that – secret.
Much to my surprise, a week later, I received the one and only response. It was from a third-generation tile master whose family had owned a cement tile factory since 1927, and he was curious and intrigued by my request. After several conversations, he realized that we would not be competitors but that we could be collaborators.
I then traveled to Spain several times where he and his father shared their knowledge and taught me everything about manufacturing cement tiles. I was able to take all that I had learned and use it in my factory here in Miami. It was at that point, now in 2016, that I decided to go all in and quit my full-time job.
I am now investing my passion and work ethic, demand for excellence, and the requirement for results into Architectile which allows me to work every day at something I love immensely. I will be forever grateful to Luis and his father, Don Eligio, for opening up their home, their business and their knowledge to me.
It is with sincere pleasure that I provide tiles that will be enjoyed for years to come. I am now a designer and manufacturer of tiles, and I hope that the love for what I do is evident in every single one of them.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Success demands struggle, and I have learned from each one. I had no idea that the life of an entrepreneur would be full of daily challenges in order to meet our goals. However, with each obstacle, I have become better at what I do. In thinking back, my biggest struggle when I opened the company was finding the right equipment and tools.
There was nothing on the market because what I do is almost a lost art. I had to improvise and create many of the tools that we still use today. The second most challenging struggle was finding good team members who were talented in the art of handmade tiles and that there were willing to share our values and vision.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Architectile – what should we know?
We design and make handmade cement tiles in our tile Studio located in Miami. We specialize in artfully created tiles, and we put all our craft and passion in what we do every day.
As a brand, I am very proud that our products are designed and handmade here in Miami using as much as possible locally source raw material and talent. But also, we are very proud of our company culture.
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business?
I think that good luck doesn’t just come your way, but that you must create the conditions to attract it. I know that I will be successful because I am constantly looking for ways to create those conditions. I don’t sit back and wait for something to happen.
My goal every day is to promote my company and what we do. As a result, I have attracted my share of good luck and am thankful for it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: architectile.com
- Phone: 305-908-1198
- Email: info@architectile.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architectile/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/architectile
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