River City Six – Kyle Rasmussen

Meet Kyle Rasmussen, owner of Z Design Tile and Stone Showroom.

Tell us a little about your business.

Z Design Tile and Stone Showroom was created to showcase industry-leading tile designs in a clean, well-lit, and organized showroom with designers on hand to help with any size tile project. The look and feel of our showroom often has our clients comparing it to other tile showrooms they have seen in Chicago, New York, or Los Angeles, which we are very proud of.

How did you get started in the business?

I have been in the tile industry for 15 years. I worked for a local company as a tile installer before opening a tile contracting company, SkilledSet Tile and Stone, in 2012. After visiting every tile showroom in Omaha over the past seven years, I realized the market needed a new, fresh concept for showing tile. It needed a showroom that was bright, fun, and design driven.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Getting a business off the ground is extremely challenging but also very rewarding. Z Design has been much more challenging than my contracting company due to the capital needed, the showroom buildout, spreading the word about Z Design to the Omaha community, making sure the showroom is running smoothly, all while trying to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

Building a team of hard working and passionate individuals. I would not be where I am today without the hardworking individuals on my team.

Tell us a little about your family.

I have a beautiful wife, Stacey, whom I have been happily married to for two and a half years. I also have an energetic 15-month-old son named Zaiden (which is where the Z comes from in Z Design). I’m beyond fortunate to have such a supportive and patient wife who is our family rock. Without her, Zaiden and I would be lost. We also have two dogs, Bentley and Ryka.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

The year I turned 25 (I’m 33 now) was when I matured the most and knew I needed to start making some changes in my professional life in order to put myself and my future family in a position to live a better life. That’s the year I started my contracting company which in turn would allow me to open up additional businesses such as Z Design.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

Hands down, spend it with my family. We love to entertain, so it’s always nice to have family and friends over to grill out and relax.

What is your favorite movie?

Twister or Armageddon.

What is your favorite TV show?

Modern Family or The Profit.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Omaha has so many great restaurants to choose from but currently, I would have to say Pitch.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?

Mark Cuban. He’s a brilliant, tell-it-like-it-is man who has had great success in multiple industries.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Phone: (402) 415-2804; Email: kyle@zdesigntile.com; Website: www.zdesigntile.com.