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Is it really worth it to have a showroom? Will it truly help your installation business? Won’t it just create more work and get in the way of running installs? It could not be worth it, it could get in your way, and it could create more headaches. However, it could also open up a new revenue stream, limit liability, and give you a path to something other than the “daily grind”.

Billy Fritzel is the owner of Fritzel Flooring founded in 2017 in Fort Collins, CO. Following in the footsteps of his hero, his father, he took the skills embedded in him as a child and decided he wanted to forge his own path. Working for his older brothers for a short stint before opening his own business gave him the knowledge he needed to reach the next step. Now after building the premiere brand for installations in Fort Collins, Billy is looking to take it to the next level.

What does it take to open up a showroom though? Listen in to this week’s episode of the Floor Academy Podcast as Billy and I discuss his journey to open his showroom and what it means for his business.

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Just because you can set a tile, hand sew a seam, or properly sand and finish a floor to perfection, does not mean you are good at business. Often times we think because we are great craftspeople that those skills mean we are good at our business. If that was the case, why are there constantly contractors from all fields asking how much they should charge, what is the difference between markup and margin, and how do I handle this challenging client? If you had the skills you wouldn’t be asking.

John Cox is the owner of a Five Star accredited national tile contracting installation business.  Starting in 1975 John has built a reputation for excellence through innovative tile solutions and strong communication. The awards and accolades of today’s installs would have never happened without realizing that as a setter he was fantastic but when it came to being a leader and business owner, there was a lot to learn. That journey began with a few books that have turned in to many, as well as, conferences, and more.

Listen in to this week’s episode of the Floor Academy Podcast as John and I discuss where his passion for life long learning came from and how he moved out of his own way to become the man he is today.

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How much does your workman’s comp cost you? What are you classifying your employees as? What are you subs classified as? Did you know that core tasks dictate classification and different classes have different rates? Someone in the field using dangerous power tools will cost you far more than someone in an office sitting at a computer. How do you figure out when you can change a classification and is all this penny pinching really worth it?

Brad Lenz and his wife Kerry own Rice’s More Than Floors which they acquired in 2016 from his parents. The store has a beautiful history dating back to 1968 where it started as a furniture and appliance business, later adding carpet. After finishing high school Brad started a tile installation business in 1998 and started adding employees in 2016. This was when the installation business and flooring store merged. The merger began a focus on technology and cloud based software to improve their systems and processes. Brad’s natural gift for problem solving has also helped find small ways to be more profitable along the way. One successful change implemented has been how employees are classified while they are working and making sure it is accurately kept track of.

Listen in to this week’s episode of the Floor Academy Podcast as Brad and I discuss how you can be more profitable with one simple change to how you classify your employees depending on the task they are working on.

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When are you big enough to get a second location? What are the challenges behind it? How do you manage two teams? There are a lot of things to make happen so that you can be successful. From dialing in sales processes to expanding your marketing in to a new area there is a lot to consider.

Chris Rogers is the owner of Wally’s Carpet and Tile in San Bernardino and recently opened up his second showroom. Starting out as an installer gives Chris a different perspective on running a retail shop. From how he handles paying employees and subs to his sales process, his unique vision has helped him grow a brand that has been around in California for 70 years. Looking to grow his presence and get in to having mobile showrooms an opportunity for a new location presented itself and couldn’t be passed up.

Listen in to this weeks episode of the Floor Academy Podcast as Chris and I  discuss how he knew he could take on a second location, what it took to get it open and how he is now managing multiple teams.

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How do you manage your time in your business? How do you manage all the different hats you have to wear? Sales, installation, scheduling, finance, and marketing are just a few of them and they all require a different skillset. What if there was a better way to free up time where you could automate some of the processes as part of being an owner?

Brittany Murphy returns to the show as the founder of Marketing Mutt? With over a decade of experience she has created over 900 online marketing strategies for companies across the US. She focuses on helping small business owners getting their phones to ring with new leads by stepping up their marketing game. Growing up with her family in the trades led Brittany to start her marketing agency devoted to the trades and home services. Her foundation is developing marketing strategies and automated processes for owners looking to gain more time and money from their businesses. Through her marketing strategies, background in blue collar, and over a decade of experience, Brittany has helped local contractors close more leads, get more reviews and referrals, and streamline their marketing and sales processes. She is now here to help you do the same for your business so that you can learn while you earn and become more profitable with more free time.

Listen in to this week’s episode of the Floor Academy Podcast as Brittany and I discuss basic tools every business owner can implement into their toolbox to better manage their companies, free up time, and be more profitable.

Book an appointment with Brittany - https://marketingmutt.youcanbook.me/

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Do you sell installations or do you sell an experience? Answering that one question can quickly help you differentiate your company from the competition. What makes an install an experience? When does it start? What’s included? Is it really different than what the competition is doing?

Reggie Burke of Bayview Flooring in Port Angeles, Washington has over 10 years of experience in the flooring trade. Upon going out on is own after being trained by his father, Reggie was looking for a way to be different from the rest. Over the last two years he has honed in on creating a client experience unlike any other in the area when it comes to flooring installations. From the time the prospect first reaches out until the project is closed out, there are little differences that elevate the quality of service that is being provided.

Listen in to this week’s episode of the Floor Academy podcast as Reggie and I discuss how he has crafted a client experience that not only helps sell the value of his installations but makes it a no brainer to go with Bayview Flooring.

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Johns Manville

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What changes about your marketing strategy as your business develops around you. What kind of tactics are required as a startup, survival, successful, scaling, or sustainable entity? More than likely referrals won’t be the only thing keeping you business alive past the survival stage.

Justin Shaw of Driven for Growth, returns to the show to help us answer the above questions with practical steps to help you move the needle. He works closely with entrepreneurs in the contracting space to implement strategies and systems for their continued growth. His approach is holistic and helps business owners develop the skills they need to transform their business so that it can truly reach its full potential.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Floor Academy podcast as we talk about practical steps to take at each stage of business.

Check out our sponsors

Johns Manville

Schluter Systems

The International Surfaces Event

Kronus Soft

Ardex Americas

TileTools.com

Check out our website and store

Support the show

Send us a text

What changes about your marketing strategy as your business develops around you. What kind of tactics are required as a startup, survival, successful, scaling, or sustainable entity? More than likely referrals won’t be the only thing keeping you business alive past the survival stage.

Justin Shaw of Driven for Growth, returns to the show to help us answer the above questions with practical steps to help you move the needle. He works closely with entrepreneurs in the contracting space to implement strategies and systems for their continued growth. His approach is holistic and helps business owners develop the skills they need to transform their business so that it can truly reach its full potential.

Listen to this week’s episode of the Floor Academy podcast as we talk about practical steps to take at each stage of business.

Check out our sponsors

Johns Manville

Schluter Systems

The International Surfaces Event

Kronus Soft

Ardex Americas

TileTools.com

Check out our website and store

Support the show

Send us a text

How do you grow an installation company to more than just installation? You get into the retail side of things and start selling products. It’s as easy as building a relationship with a local store for a kickback to being as complicated as opening up your own store from ground zero and building it up. There is a middle ground of finding a store that is for sale and buying a client base and some systems and processes to help make your life slightly easier.

Donald Perkins and his wife, Emily, purchased Carpetland of New England when they were presenedt an offer they couldn’t turn down. While selling material wasn’t exactly new to them, having a sales staff, retail location and subcontractors to complete more installs than they could handle was. It was a step up for them in their business journey that hasn’t come without a few surprises.

Listen in as we discuss what challenges they have faced acquiring the store, how it has changed their business logistically, and what the future looks like.

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Johns Manville

Schluter Systems

The International Surfaces Event

Kronus Soft

Ardex Americas

TileTools.com

Check out our website and store

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Send us a text

How do you choose the right software for your business? Recommendations? Trial and error? Research? There are plenty of ways to attack it but one of the most important things to consider is whether or not it fits your business model. Not all software is created equally nor is it created to function as part of every industry.

Tom Strachan is the CEO of Service Buddy, and leads a dedicated team in transforming the way flooring companies manage their operations through technology.Their software platform is designed to simplify operations, enhance customer communication, and boost overall business efficiency. By focusing on customization, we empower our clients to reclaim valuable hours each week, allowing them to concentrate on what truly matters—providing exceptional service. Our software helps drive better profit margins for our clients.

Listen in to this week’s episode as Tom and I discuss how you need to vet software for your business before choosing a platform for the long haul.

Check out our sponsors

Johns Manville

Schluter Systems

The International Surfaces Event

Kronus Soft

Ardex Americas

TileTools.com

Check out our website and store

Support the show