Meet Joshua Chaviano aka Chavi from the Sarasota Store

Have you met Chavi? His full name is Joshua Chaviano and, as of June 1, 2022, he is assistant store manager. Before that, he served at the Tampa store, and as a sales representative in the Sarasota Tile Outlets of America store.

Chavi is next in our blog series introducing the people of Tile Outlets.

Introducing Joshua Chaviano - also known as Chavi - from the Sarasota Store

TOA: Chavi, tell us about yourself and your background. Are you from Sarasota?

JC: I am Cuban-American. My father is Cuban and my mother, American. I pretty much grew up in Sarasota all my life.

TOA: How did you get started with Tile Outlets of America?

JC: I got started with Tile Outlets thanks to the help of Indeed.

I graduated from the Sarasota Military Academy two years prior and really wanted a job. I used to cut trees as a job but got tired after about a year.

My grandfather on my mom's side came over to Florida from Cuba and poured concrete as well as asphalt all his life. So, I decided to step down from trees and go into the tile business so here I am.

TOA: What is your role at TOA?

JC: I am currently a sales representative as well as a manager-in-training at the Sarasota Store.

TOA: Chavi, what do you love most about tile?

JC: This is such a hard question!

I love the fact that you can make your house into your home just based on the look of tile. There are so many options for you to choose from it's insane.

>> See Shop By Product

Tile has come a long way. You can check out Kate's recent blog articles to see what I'm talking about!

>> See 21 Featured Floor Tile Products from Tile Outlets of America

>> See 21 Featured Wall Tiles From Tile Outlets of America

TOA: What are the biggest issues you see customers having to deal with when they are shopping for tile?

JC: The biggest issue is that they get confused very easily by the overwhelming number of options.

They also come in expecting to be told what they can put in - especially when it comes to being something they hate - and what they can't put in (something they love).

TOA: What advice do you have for them?

JC: The advice that I have for them is that if they love it then go ahead and do as they please.

If they want to put wood plank tile on the floor then they should be able to, after all, it's the customer's house.

Here are some helpful resources:

• To help organize the project, you can download the Tile Project Checklist (aka the Dream Sheet).
• You can also use the Flooring Visualizer.

TOA: What trends are customers asking about?

JC: People are really digging the Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). They are also asking for more Natural Stone Patterns and Decorative products.

I do get asked a lot about Hardwood which I think is a cool idea but not for Florida. That's why it's so wonderful to be able to show the many wood plank tile styles available. Tile is such a better solution than wood for Florida!

TOA: Which are your favorite products and why?

JC: My favorite products have to be Natural Stone and the LVT.

Vinyl has come along way from what it used to be. The vinyl we carry for example being a stone core and waterproof is great as it is easy installation and requires no thin-set or grout.

>> See Discover Stone Polymer Composite Flooring aka SPC Flooring on Suncoast View

Natural Stone is my favorite though. I love the variety of color that is produced and how it can really make your house very unique.

By the way, you'll find realistic natural stone looks in ceramic and porcelain tile, too.

TOA: Do you have a favorite installation in the Sarasota store?

JC: My favorite installation in the Sarasota store is the bathroom stall with the Solna Natural Wood Plank on the floor and the Royal Dianna on the wall.

TOA: What do you like when you're not working at Tile Outlets?

JC: Outside of Tile Outlets, I love hanging out with my friends as well as working out.

On my days off, I go to Tampa or somewhere else. I really like to explore new places and learn new things.

TOA: Thank you, Chavi!

Visit Tile Outlets of America and Meet Chavi (Joshua Chaviano) in Person!

When you next visit Tile Outlets in Sarasota, be sure to say hello to Chavi.

While you're there, you can experience first hand how we help your dreams become reality. You will find a beautiful selection of in-stock and first quality porcelain and ceramic tile, stone, mosaics and more available for a whole lot less to select from!

Thanks for reading!