Stone-Tec is owned by Rupy Shah, who became involved in the stone industry after specifying material for her own house in Dallas, TX, 18 years ago. “Whenever I went to buy stone, people had very little knowledge,†she said. “I was looking at Black Galaxy in a warehouse that I wanted to buy for my kitchen. The gentleman quoted me the price, and I was surprised at how high it was. When I saw the quality, I was even more surprised, because the polish was off. He said it was from Italy, and I had to correct him and tell him it was from India. I explained that I knew stone because I was married to a man in construction, and many of the hard granites come from India. I got a funny look from him, but it made me think that I wanted to open one of my own shops some day.â€
At that point, Shah began to set the wheels in motion to begin a granite importing/distribution company. “I came home and spoke with my husband, who always wanted to get into the granite business,†she said. “He had contacts with Gem Granite of India, who had a reputation for quality. He said he would do it, but only through Gem. He wanted to put his best foot forward. So he contacted them and went to India, and they agreed to give me Texas and five neighboring states [for distribution].â€