Lifelong wood flooring pro David Ford of Stauf USA is back to talk with Stephen about some important issues in the wood flooring industry, including reverence for the previous generations of pros and the importance of training and work ethic. They also discuss ideas for other value-added things wood flooring pros can do to increase margins on every job, the incredible potential there is in the wood flooring industry to make a lucrative living, and some sound financial advice about planning for retirement (something many pros don’t do). As a bonus, David, a native to the Memphis area, has some insider knowledge to share about none other than Elvis Presley!

When Kent Rogerson and Jamie Lambert of South Carolina’s Low Country Flooring got their first wood flooring job, they had never even seen the tools required to do the trade. But they learned quickly and grew the business—and then realized they had to down-size the company as they pursued their obsession with quality. In this episode, they detail the hilarious details of their first install, sanding and finishing jobs; what they look for (and don't look for!) in employees; and some of their practices and philosophies that put them among the wood floor industry’s sanding and finishing elite—and allow them to charge accordingly for their wood floors.

Steve James transitioned from a career at General Motors to the lumber industry when he became CEO of Frank Miller Lumber in Indiana, transforming the company culture there to create a motivated long-term workforce. James and host Stephen Diggins discuss the challenges of a lumber business focused on quartersawn lumber, as well as James’ insights as a member of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team.  

Matt Garcia was a typical wood flooring pro with a small company of craftsmen when he moved to Texas and realized he had a huge opportunity to grow his business—but after trial and error, he also realized that in order to grow his business AND be profitable, he had to work on his business, not just in his business. Hear his advice about what he learned and the key changes he made that have transformed his company, improved quality and motivated his employees. 

When the U.S. government needed the massive chevron floor replaced in the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., Universal Floors tackled the job with the help of some friends, including Kent Rogerson and Jamie Lambert from Low Country Flooring. Hear Universal Floor’s Sprigg Lynn, along with Kent and Jamie, discuss the intricacies and complications of handling this job. In Part 2 they reveal more about the installation, sanding and finishing, and how when it comes to jobs of this magnitude, you need to lean on fellow pros to make it all happen.

When the U.S. government needed the massive chevron floor replaced in the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., Universal Floors tackled the job with the help of some friends, including Kent Rogerson and Jamie Lambert from Low Country Flooring. Hear Universal Floor’s Sprigg Lynn, along with Kent and Jamie, discuss the intricacies and complications of handling this job. In Part 1 they discuss demo, subfloor prep, installation and more. 

Angelo DeSanto is one of Wood Floor Business’s most popular authors and bloggers—in addition to running his own wood flooring business in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. He and Stephen talk about how he stands up to contractors to get paid on time, the seemingly simple details that make a skilled wood flooring pro, and the accident that almost took his life—and how he managed to recover his health and his business.

Loba-Wakol’s Tyler Myatt and Cash Pyle both grew up in the wood flooring industry before they began their careers working for wood floor industry leader Loba-Wakol. Now they use their knowledge to not only help contractors learn how to use the latest cutting-edge products in the industry but also improve everything from their sanding techniques to their pricing for jobs. Hear what they see out in the field and advice they have for wood flooring contractors to improve their businesses.

Although still in his early thirties, Chicago wood floor pro Matthew Szyszka of Floor Master Company has made a name for himself and won awards for his intricate custom wood floors. In this episode, he discusses the details on some of his award-winning jobs, how he promotes custom work to his clients, thoughts about getting more young people into the trades and more.  

John Stern’s experience in the industry goes back to before Brazilian species were imported into the U.S. and when the Oval Office still had a wood-look vinyl floor. As the founder of industry stalwart Kentucky Wood Floors, he worked for multiple presidents, traveled to foreign wood flooring mills, sold his flooring to be used in prestigious locales around the world and partnered with famous people to market his products. Today he’s still involved in the industry with his company Louisville Wood Floors; hear his insights about the industry’s past and where it’s at today.