Tommy Rock is more than a decorative concrete contractor: He’s an artist with big ideas, ideas that could transform and enhance the world of decorative concrete.
Rock believes that decorative concrete is a smart career choice, especially in today’s economy, because people can find good, leftover materials from someone else in dumpsters to create artistic products.
“The amount of waste that is put out there is amazing,” Rock says. “We go to the back of Wal-Mart and take giant stacks of boxes for frames and molds. We try to find unique clients who are looking for something different.”
In addition to encouraging other decorative concrete contractors and artists to use recycled materials, Rock also envisions starting a movement in downtrodden places, such as the areas affected by Katrina.
“We can help people who don’t know what to do for a career and teach large groups of people these art forms,” Rock says. “Then maybe they can make a living doing it. I’m an advocate for showing people how to do things.
Rock, who has been a restoration artist for almost three decades, launched Tommy Rock Inc. 13 years ago, and today his business currently serves residential and commercial clientele.
Among the many installations Tommy Rock Inc. offers is vertical stamped concrete, acid stain concrete, vertical finishes, indoor and outdoor kitchens, columns, backsplashes, and bathroom vanities. 
“At the end of the season, we started getting bombarded with outdoor kitchen requests, and we used a lot of recycled products. In fact, we did a whole outdoor kitchen with 85 percent recycle materials,” Rock says.
Unlike many decorative concrete contractors, Tommy Rock Inc. makes its own products, including countertop mix. Rock stands behind all of his work and ensures that any problems that arise are rectified in a timely manner.
“One thing I’m real stringent about is quality and making sure that we work hand-in-hand with the clients,” Rock says. “They’re expecting 100 percent, and we want to give them 130 percent.”
In the 13 years that Tommy Rock Inc. has been in business, Rock has developed countless relationships and completed hundreds of jobs, most of which have been secured by word of mouth. But, one in particular stands out at his most memorable. Rock was hired by clients to add concrete to their kitchen walls in their home in Bloomingdale.
They were so thrilled with Rock’s work that, instead of moving as planned, they hired him to transform their home into a masterpiece. That was more than a year and three months ago.
“We put together a game plan as we kept going. They let me run artistically the way I wanted to run. I had total freedom,” Rock says. “They were excited about everything we did.”
There’s a reason that Rock has cultivated a solid reputation and built a loyal clientele and it all begins with his philosophy. In addition to providing clients with the highest quality work and standing behind the work that he does, Rock believes that it’s important that client relationships be built upon trust.
“Trust and being fair with people are two of the biggest factors,” Rock says. “I’m not the cheapest, but I don’t take advantage of someone because of their financial situation either. I can work in a high end residence but can find a way to make an illusion for the common household without breaking the bank.”
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Tommy Rock Inc. serves Chicago and the metro area but will also travel. In the past, Tommy Rock Inc. has traveled for projects in Florida and even traveled as far as Paris for research at the client’s request and expense.
Clients and prospective clients are invited to visit Tommy Rock Inc.’s showroom, which is viewable by appointment only. In addition to using his showroom to show his work to prospective clients, Rock uses it to educate his clients.
“There are a lot of options and most people don’t realize how many options that they really have, whether they’re doing a countertop or a sink,” Rock says. “Prospective clients can come in here and I can show them textures and finishes and clog their brain up a little bit.”