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Burlington Free Press Article: 

Burlington Business Grows from One Person to Industry-Leader

It’s funny how small things can sometimes turn into life-changing events. Take Bob Brisson – he flew to California to visit his sister in 1988, spotted a landscaping machine that made concrete curbing and felt intrigued enough to write down the 800 number on its side. Three years later, he was the leader in landscape borders in Vermont. Twenty years later, he’s the owner of Vermont Custom Concrete, an industry-leading business.

How did Brisson grow his business into what it is today? “One of the first questions I ask my customers is how they heard about our company. And they always say either one of two things: I looked in the phone book or you did a job for a friend of ours,” said Brisson.

During the recent economic climate, Brisson had to scale back on the number of people he employs, but he didn’t cut back on his Yellow Pages advertising.

“Advertising exclusively in the Fairpoint® SuperYellowPages is helping,” Brisson said. “No matter what the economy does, you definitely have to advertise. If you cut it, it’s going to be worse for you. When people go to the phone book and they want some hardscape, our ad stands out. It’s an extremely nice color ad, and I’ve had it for many years.

“I tried other Yellow Pages providers a few years ago – it was inexpensive to advertise with them, but they didn’t give any results. People always picked up the SuperYellowPages.”

Brisson prides himself on getting the job done right for his customers – the first time and every time. Vermont Custom Concrete is backed by the SuperGuarantee® program from SuperMedia (NASDAQ:SPMD), the advertising agency for local small- to medium-sized businesses across the United States and publisher of the Fairpoint SuperYellowPages.

“It’s a win-win thing. I’m proud of the fact that we do good, quality work,” said Brisson.

“In Vermont, you know pretty quickly if you want to work with someone, but the SuperGuarantee gives peace of mind to leery customers. So it gives me a chance to show that the quality of our work is our No. 1 priority – it’s not about how much money we’re going to make.”

When a consumer sees a business with the SuperGuarantee like Vermont Custom Concrete, they know the business will get the job done right – or SuperMedia will step in and help make it right. If a consumer is not satisfied with the service provided by a participating SuperGuarantee business advertised in the Fairpoint SuperYellowPages, Superpages.com® or SuperpagesDirect® mail, SuperMedia will work to resolve any issues or, if unable to resolve the issue, will reimburse the consumer up to $500 of the cost of labor for the service. ^*

In 2010, the Fairpoint SuperYellowPages now also features a larger font size so it’s easier to read. “I can put my magnifying glass down now!” Brisson said. “Not only will it help customers find my business, but it will help me when I’m out on a job.

“When I look in the phone book, it can be frustrating when I can’t see a number and I’m in a hurry. But now when I pull over to the side of the road and pull out the SuperYellowPages to find a supplier while I’m on a job – I can quickly scan the page and easily find the physical address and be on my way.”

From the Milton Independent:

Bob Brisson's Vermont Custom Concrete Concrete Company and Milton excavator Johnny Hayes were hired to repair and replace the Stone Bridge on Lake Road in August. Next spring $370,000 in federal stimulus funds will pay for the paving of Lake Rd. from Stonebridge Rd. to the Georgia line.