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This week's guest is Nathan Hyden, who is preparing to launch A Step Above Flooring in Lexington, Kentucky. During our conversation, we delve into the essential elements of running a successful business, strategies for managing a partnership, and the importance of confidence in achieving your goals.

Hyden's Hardwoods

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This week's guests are brothers Jose and Daniel Gonzalez, owners of Preferred Flooring in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They used to pay their workers via a 1099, but in 2015, they decided to switch to W-2s and put their employees on payroll after some advice from a larger company they subbed from. This switch came with significant considerations, including pay cuts for the brothers and an increase in labor costs. Not every employee was happy about the change, but tune in to see how it has positively affected their business and where the change will take them in the future.

Preferred Flooring

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This week's guest is Mario Fernandez, the owner and operator of Fernandez Floor Covering located in Corona, CA. Mario started his flooring journey at a young age by assisting his father in installing VCT flooring in military housing. At 18, he joined his father full-time and eventually started his own business. However, during the great recession, he lost everything and had to rebuild his business from scratch by functioning purely as a subcontractor.

Listen in to find out why Mario chose to function purely as a sub, how he has changed his business strategies over the years, and his insights on how to motivate your employees.

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This week's guest is Mark Herakovic, who recently became the Operations Manager for MDG Flooring America, based in West Farmington, Ohio. Mark has worked as an employee, self-employed, and now as a manager throughout his career. In this episode, we discuss the topic of work-life balance, acknowledging that we may not be the most qualified experts on the topic, but sharing our own experiences and insights on how to better manage business and personal time. Listen in as we openly discuss some of the challenges we've faced and strategies for finding a better balance.

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On this week's episode, we have Stephen Wood, the owner and operator of Great Alaskan Flooring Company located on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Stephen's career in the flooring industry began when he was just 16 years old in Mississippi. After moving to Alaska for private school, he earned his GED at 19 and opened his own showroom. Stephen worked alongside his hired installers, learning the tricks of the trade and selling projects. Join us as we talk about his industry journey, the obstacles he faces working in a remote and small location, and the importance of exceptional customer service in driving sales.

Great Alaskan Flooring Company

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This week's guest is Marcos Guerequeta, owner and operator of Local Flooring Group in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Unlike traditional flooring stores, Marcos has revolutionized his business model by importing his own flooring and selling smaller Canadian brands. He encountered some resistance from competitors when he first started carrying major brands, but this only fueled his creativity to develop his own unique brand. His unconventional approach to flooring sales has given him a distinct advantage in the market. Listen in as Marcos discusses how he has branded his store to attract customers.

Local Flooring Group

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This week's guest is Karen Gross, the owner and operator of MBD Flooring Services that provides inspection, concrete testing, and consultation services. Karen grew up surrounded by flooring due to her father's involvement in the industry. After her father's passing in 2012, she took over the company and invested in learning as much as possible about the industry. Karen also participates in an ANSI committee. During the podcast, Karen shares her passion for the flooring industry, discusses how to navigate projects to ensure you have the necessary documentation for inspections, and provides valuable insights on what to consider while working on projects.

MBD Flooring Service

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This week's guest is Martin Brookes, the owner of Heritage Marble and Tile and the current President of the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). Martin started his career in the UK, where he completed an apprenticeship in masonry before moving to the US. He began his career in the commercial sector, working on large box stores, and quickly progressed to running projects. However, he found that the time frames did not suit his style, so he decided to start his own business in California. When he encountered a problem on a project, he was directed to the NTCA for help, and a relationship was formed that has continued ever since. In this episode, Martin talks about the benefits of joining a trade organization like the NTCA and the resources they offer to contractors beyond just vouchers for discounts on tools or supplies. Tune in to learn more.

Heritage Marble and Tile

NTCA 

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This week's guest is Shannon Huffstickler, formerly known as The Tile Girl and now The Schluter Girl. Shannon has owned her own tiling business and currently serves as the Social Media Community Liaison for Schluter Systems. Our discussion revolves around the significance of communities. Whether it's participating on a national, international, or local level, it can have an impact on individuals, businesses, and even the community outside of the trade. Tune in to learn how your involvement in communities can benefit your growth.

Instagram

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This week's guest is Tim Brown, the owner of Hook Agency that specializes in web design and SEO. Having worked in generating leads for businesses, he decided to start his own business and experienced the challenges that come with it. In our conversation, Tim shares valuable insights on how businesses can improve their web marketing and website, emphasizing the importance of storytelling. Listen in to learn how to enhance your web presence and attract more customers to your business.

Hook Agency

Hook Agency Blog

SEO Basics

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