Times Leader Business Feature Couple charts bold path for tile business Tile Distributors of America's David and Jacqul Lowe tak about their past and their company's futune David and Jacqui Lowe purchased Tie Distributors of America (TDA), a WlkesBarre business with nearly 50 years of service, in 2018 company in which they see much potential to grow sales- all while warking wilth a team that loves what they do serving the Wyoming Valey and beyond- from Jerry Fabian, they couidt be happier to come to work every day. For the Scott Township couple, the mave allowed them to match their diverse personal and professionel experience with a After purchasing the Wilkes-Barre business- a ceramic and poroelain ble, marble and granite distributer and importer And chances are theyl see Fabian when they do He still comes to werk every single day, "the Lowes stabed during a recent chat with the Abingten Jurnal This is his baby Fabian, 75, said R provided him and his family with a great living throughout the years had a eat time doing it," said Fablan, who inidaly began working at the site in the manufacturing facility, before rising through the ranks and eventually owning the business later in the 19 It's still geing strong today 1 think the success of the business was because Iwas an installer and I understood the business, he said When it came time to sel so that he could retire, Fabian said he didn't want a big corporation tcquire it, even though David and Jacqui Lowe purchased Tile Distributors of America one year ago. Here they are pictured with their sons, who work at the business also. wanted to keep it local and i cared about my employees who have been with mefrom 20 to 40 years,"hesaid Tm very happy that sormeone lke David and Jacqui could take it and make it much bigger, too David and Jacqui, fresh off one year of ownership, agree. In their initial meetngs with TDA owner Fablan, felt he was a kind, gentle, caring, sharp, and very inteligent man,Jacqui said. She was struck by how he asked the couple questions lke will you keep the employees and will you keep the same name. She was impressed by the healthcare Fatian provided the emplayees and she wante to continge to provide the employees with excellent health care, like companies did long ago. She added heathy employees come to wark everyday" Born into the business Davids father mas a was a flaor covering installer and began teaching hm the trade since he was four years-old. was borm into the floor covering business,David said 1 could be a hands-on owner that understands the needs and struggles of the wholesale trade customer base because I Most of the customers and staff knew each other by first name and there was no stress in the emplayees faces Jacqui id. There was so much laughter in TDA, and our mission is to koep that warm friendy, pasitive atmosphere The Lowes plan to bring their own boys- Reinor, Braxtan, and Raman - to work on the weekends nstalled floors my whole childhood as well as put myself through college daing "he added hands-on demonstrations in the art of instaling laminate flooring. what warked for wholesalers across the United States and will use the best practices of each at TDA David spent 1996 to 1999 traveling across the country educating dealers and instaillers in a classroom, as well giving 1 thought i# we coudld just wok in Me. Fabian's footsteps, and bring our family on board this will continue to grow and bring our dreama came true of getting David home each night to his family and abo have time for his own hebbles gained arespect from the tade and leaned what they feeded from teir trusted wholesale prter,"he said-1 saw cme tue of getting A ray of sunshine' David says: The TDA opportunity was a bright ray of sunshine. spent 18 years on the road traveingalower the md They've been able to do just that, with TDA having an excellent year! Looking ahead buying and seling sle for a wholesaler. I knew that the TDA model was eacty what the market needed and it would allw me to stop braveling and spend more time with my wife and children I researched the company on the outside. I spake to custamers that were happy with TDA and knew that Jerry (Fabian) was ready to retire. I signed a non-disclosure agreement to see exactly what was going on TDA needed an aggressive leader I In addition to the family feel, Jacqui said the Lowes began their journey in owning TOA by bringing in the latest and greatest ble that they and their friends would want in their own homes, wile meeting every budget Her insights from the healthcare field also play a role One of the struggles of growing older in your home is yeur shower and bath, Jacqui said, urging him to look at the ides of curbless "Everyone at some time in their life will have surgery, ilness, and need assistance,"she added. "Laak Perhaps the best part for the Lowes is that they get to "share an office and go out on a dabe every day for lunch, David joked David says he can grow the campany using all of his experience. He and Jacqui's plans included freshening up the showrsom, creating a product chart and creating social media accounts showers. to hep promote the company into the future of your home because everyone wants to stay in their homes as long as possible to grow old. We will work drelessly to succeed in this opportunity,"he said, stressing that they plan to keep the loyal customers happy and keep providing the same exceptsional service such as delivering tles right to doorsteps, which takes work away from husbands, he joked The couple is proud to continue Fabian's values, ethics, monls, and scnuples. They look forward to many more years of providing satisfaction to TOA customers The best part: the Lowes and their staff hold the customer's hand as they walk hrough the prcess. Our emplayees are And that is why yeu don't want to shop in big box stores for your tile! very knowledgeable about tile and the latest trends Jacqui grew up helping her brother in the car business so she knews what it takes to run a successful business. Jacqui is Tile Distributors of America experienced registered nurse who worked in hespitals and various specialties, She spent many years as a stay-at-home When one summer passed and the kids hadn't asked where he was in the world or when he would be coming home, they She and David searched for and looked at many businesses in different industries mom. She also saw the impact that David's work was having on his ablity to be with their family. 300 Mundy St, Wikes-Barre PA 18702 570-822-6123 sales@tledistributorsofamerica.com M/TAWF:8am-5pm knew it was time for a change Once I walked into TDA I laved the atmosphere of being in an old fashioned business, Jacqui said Times Leader Business Feature Couple charts bold path for tile business Tile Distributors of America's David and Jacqul Lowe tak about their past and their company's futune David and Jacqui Lowe purchased Tie Distributors of America (TDA), a WlkesBarre business with nearly 50 years of service, in 2018 company in which they see much potential to grow sales- all while warking wilth a team that loves what they do serving the Wyoming Valey and beyond- from Jerry Fabian, they couidt be happier to come to work every day. For the Scott Township couple, the mave allowed them to match their diverse personal and professionel experience with a After purchasing the Wilkes-Barre business- a ceramic and poroelain ble, marble and granite distributer and importer And chances are theyl see Fabian when they do He still comes to werk every single day, "the Lowes stabed during a recent chat with the Abingten Jurnal This is his baby Fabian, 75, said R provided him and his family with a great living throughout the years had a eat time doing it," said Fablan, who inidaly began working at the site in the manufacturing facility, before rising through the ranks and eventually owning the business later in the 19 It's still geing strong today 1 think the success of the business was because Iwas an installer and I understood the business, he said When it came time to sel so that he could retire, Fabian said he didn't want a big corporation tcquire it, even though David and Jacqui Lowe purchased Tile Distributors of America one year ago. Here they are pictured with their sons, who work at the business also. wanted to keep it local and i cared about my employees who have been with mefrom 20 to 40 years , " hesaid Tm very happy that sormeone lke David and Jacqui could take it and make it much bigger, too David and Jacqui, fresh off one year of ownership, agree. In their initial meetngs with TDA owner Fablan, felt he was a kind, gentle, caring, sharp, and very inteligent man,Jacqui said. She was struck by how he asked the couple questions lke will you keep the employees and will you keep the same name. She was impressed by the healthcare Fatian provided the emplayees and she wante to continge to provide the employees with excellent health care, like companies did long ago. She added heathy employees come to wark everyday" Born into the business Davids father mas a was a flaor covering installer and began teaching hm the trade since he was four years-old. was borm into the floor covering business,David said 1 could be a hands-on owner that understands the needs and struggles of the wholesale trade customer base because I Most of the customers and staff knew each other by first name and there was no stress in the emplayees faces Jacqui id. There was so much laughter in TDA, and our mission is to koep that warm friendy, pasitive atmosphere The Lowes plan to bring their own boys- Reinor, Braxtan, and Raman - to work on the weekends nstalled floors my whole childhood as well as put myself through college daing "he added hands-on demonstrations in the art of instaling laminate flooring. what warked for wholesalers across the United States and will use the best practices of each at TDA David spent 1996 to 1999 traveling across the country educating dealers and instaillers in a classroom, as well giving 1 thought i# we coudld just wok in Me. Fabian's footsteps, and bring our family on board this will continue to grow and bring our dreama came true of getting David home each night to his family and abo have time for his own hebbles gained arespect from the tade and leaned what they feeded from teir trusted wholesale prter , " he said - 1 saw cme tue of getting A ray of sunshine' David says : The TDA opportunity was a bright ray of sunshine . spent 18 years on the road traveingalower the md They've been able to do just that, with TDA having an excellent year! Looking ahead buying and seling sle for a wholesaler. I knew that the TDA model was eacty what the market needed and it would allw me to stop braveling and spend more time with my wife and children I researched the company on the outside. I spake to custamers that were happy with TDA and knew that Jerry (Fabian) was ready to retire. I signed a non-disclosure agreement to see exactly what was going on TDA needed an aggressive leader I In addition to the family feel, Jacqui said the Lowes began their journey in owning TOA by bringing in the latest and greatest ble that they and their friends would want in their own homes, wile meeting every budget Her insights from the healthcare field also play a role One of the struggles of growing older in your home is yeur shower and bath, Jacqui said, urging him to look at the ides of curbless " Everyone at some time in their life will have surgery , ilness , and need assistance , " she added . " Laak Perhaps the best part for the Lowes is that they get to "share an office and go out on a dabe every day for lunch, David joked David says he can grow the campany using all of his experience. He and Jacqui's plans included freshening up the showrsom, creating a product chart and creating social media accounts showers. to hep promote the company into the future of your home because everyone wants to stay in their homes as long as possible to grow old. We will work drelessly to succeed in this opportunity,"he said, stressing that they plan to keep the loyal customers happy and keep providing the same exceptsional service such as delivering tles right to doorsteps, which takes work away from husbands, he joked The couple is proud to continue Fabian's values, ethics, monls, and scnuples. They look forward to many more years of providing satisfaction to TOA customers The best part: the Lowes and their staff hold the customer's hand as they walk hrough the prcess. Our emplayees are And that is why yeu don't want to shop in big box stores for your tile! very knowledgeable about tile and the latest trends Jacqui grew up helping her brother in the car business so she knews what it takes to run a successful business. Jacqui is Tile Distributors of America experienced registered nurse who worked in hespitals and various specialties, She spent many years as a stay-at-home When one summer passed and the kids hadn't asked where he was in the world or when he would be coming home, they She and David searched for and looked at many businesses in different industries mom. She also saw the impact that David's work was having on his ablity to be with their family. 300 Mundy St, Wikes-Barre PA 18702 570-822-6123 sales@tledistributorsofamerica.com M/TAWF:8am-5pm knew it was time for a change Once I walked into TDA I laved the atmosphere of being in an old fashioned business, Jacqui said