HOW AJAY JAIN FOUND A FIRM FOOTING

By SHIPRA CHAUDHURY

Ajay Jain came to Canada in 2007 as a student, never intending to stay, but here he is, still in Canada, 15 years later.

The young entrepreneur from Jodhpur, India, says he didn’t really know what he wanted to do when he grew up, but was influenced by his father, a self-made businessman, and his achievements. So it’s no surprise that the MBA from Rotman School of Management would follow in his footsteps.

“My father was an engineering dropout but he valued education immensely,” says Jain. “He always wanted me to get all the education I could and then choose the field I wanted to work in. The reason provided was that in case the business plan didn’t succeed, then this education would act as a safety net.”

So Jain completed his degree in Chartered Accountancy before moving to Canada. He worked at a number of large corporations and financial institutions in various roles, going above and beyond. His immediate response to any request was that he would work into the evening and over the weekend if needed, to get the job done. He was looked upon as a significant asset to any team, and as a result earned various promotions and awards.

But the urge to find something new and novel, something that he could evolve, expand and develop on his own, never left him. This led him to try various options including the realtor business. He closed a few deals with brokers before coming across Take Us For Granite, a marble, granite, and quartz business established in 1990 in Hamilton.

Jain purchased the company.

Living in Toronto and commuting daily to Hamilton, he began his journey with countertops in 2019. New to the business, the first six to eight months were an intense training course. Leaving a well-paying job was not easy, there were numerous ups and downs, teething problems, no time for family or family gatherings... According to Jain, failure might be visible in the beginning and middle, but he was never one to entertain it as an end. Hope and anticipation propelled him.

That he is passionate about the business and its product range is evident. Asked about the pros and cons of using quartz or marble, Jain unfurls an impressive depth of knowledge. For countertops for a kitchen or bathroom renovation, quartz and marble are among the most popular materials. Both are available in a variety of colours and provide the appearance of natural stone. But to help clients make the best choice for their needs, he explains the difference in easy and uncomplicated language.

“One fundamental way to compare quartz versus marble countertops is to look at how each material is sourced. Marble is a type of natural stone – technically speaking, it’s a metamorphic rock, found all over the world and has a long history of use in both art and construction. It naturally comes in a variety of colours, including white, gray, and pink. What sets marble apart is its distinct veining, which comes in an array of colours and patterns. This allows each slab of marble to be completely unique and offer a luxurious aesthetic. Being soft and easily prone to scratches, marble is more susceptible to stains and harbouring germs than quartz. Hence marble should be resealed every six months and can be polished repeatedly to remove any stains or scratches from its surface. One advantage marble has over quartz is its greater heat resistant power.

“Quartz countertops, on the other hand, are a type of engineered stone made by combining crushed stone particles with a binding agent like polymer resin. The final product typically contains between 90 and 94 per cent stone and 6 to 10 per cent resin. Pigments are added to create different colours, making the possibilities nearly endless in terms of the final product’s appearance. The material is then shaped into slabs meant to replicate the appearance of natural stone. They are more durable than marble countertops and require less maintenance.

“Due to its construction, each quartz slab is more uniform, but some higher-end options are crafted with veining to mimic the look of marble. Unlike marble, quartz is mass-produced, so it lacks the one-of-a-kind look of its natural counterpart. The final installation of quartz countertops usually includes visible seams, but it is possible to get larger slabs of quartz to avoid this.”

He proceeds to list more differences between the two. “While quartz is more durable and trickier to polish, it is quite low maintenance, doesn’t need to be sealed, and can be cleaned with most standard household cleaners. Overall, quartz is more durable than even granite and resistant to chipping, etching, cracks, and stains.

“Comparing quartz and marble countertops, both have distinct advantages and disadvantages, and there’s no clear ‘best’ choice,” he explains. “The option that’s right for you depends on your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic preferences.”

His talented team works tirelessly to create the kitchens, baths and special rooms of their clients’ dreams through custom fabrication and design.

While still dealing with teething problems, Jain acquired his second business in 2020. Located in Hamilton, Get Floored provides a wide variety of flooring products from solid and engineered hardwoods to all types of laminate floors, luxury vinyl floors, carpets, and flooring accessories.

“I felt the need for expansion and bought this 10-year-old business,” says Jain. “We have good working partnerships with some of the most reputable companies in the industry. Our sales team is knowledgeable when it comes to the products that we carry. In addition, our team is licensed and insured to guarantee the type of service that will leave you feeling extremely comfortable and satisfied with your flooring installation.” 

In 2021, in the middle of COVID, Jain made another investment for Take Us For Granite. He financed a stone fabrication equipment, called BACA Robo SawJet.

The Robo SawJet stone cutting saw was the original robotic sawjet introduced to stone fabricators, and today BACA systems has more robots running in North American stone shops than all of its competitors combined. Their experience and commitment to innovation has resulted in over 400 successful installations for stone processing to date – Ontario has three, including Take Us For Granite.

The process reduces labour and maintenance costs, and is faster, freeing up time for other processes, says Jain.

“I’d like to continue to expand my businesses and add more to what I own. But having worked hard for the last 20 years, I’d also like to spend more time with family, friends and my ageing parents back in India. I’d also like to contribute towards community betterment both in Canada and India. Canada is truly very beautiful, especially the Rockies in the West. And nature is what I love the most about this country.” 

Passion, creativity, and resilience are the most crucial skills in business, and Jain has shown that if one is willing to commit to working hard, nothing is impossible.