Brad Parnell began working as a cultured marble installer in 1974, but from the timeframe of 1979 to 1990, he incurred several challenges, including being laid off, a failed business and having to work out of state in order to support his family. During this time, though, he was learning all about the stone industry. He brought his knowledge back home in 1990, when he restarted the family business in solid surface products, which later evolved into the granite industry, and he passed his experience on to his two sons, Willie and Dustin, who became partners in 2006. Deborah Parnell handled the books and sales then, and she continues to be an integral part of the business’ success today.
In fact, the Parnell family, including daughter-in-law Mandie, are all still active in the shop, field and office. Deborah has found that retaining consistent workers has been significant in the survival of their business. The company started out only being a four-member crew, but now, excluding the family, it has nine workers in the factory, two installation crews, five office workers and one estimator. Besides an increase in its workforce, First In Counters has also made significant investments in technology.