As we start calming down from the busy holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful clients for another great year. We are so thankful for our loyal customer base and the opportunity to work with many new clients this year. My grandfather started this business over 50 years ago and we have been able to stay in business for this long because of our wonderful clients and their referrals. We appreciate you.
A Little Sunshine Today
I pulled up to work today feeling exhausted because of a less than superb night of sleep. Pat, my mom, pulled up just moments after I did. As we walked in the office together she told me that my 13 year old dog (who really is her dog as I have moved out of the house and he did not come with me and he has been a great companion to her all these years) is going to be put to sleep today.
A few months ago we found out that he has a growth in his throat and his health has been steadily going down for awhile now. This morning he definitely took a turn for the worse so we made the decision that today needs to be the day.
My friend and her kids stopped by to bring me a smile today (and coffee!) and it made me feel better watching them run around our showroom playing make believe. Willow pretends she is a puppy and adorably crawls all over her big sister Guin, rubbing her head on everything while going “ruff ruff ruff”. Cutest thing ever.
But as I watched them run around and check out all sorts of stuff in here, I was remembering what it was like growing up with a mom that has worked and owned her own business and spending quite a bit of time with her at her business. I remember the old showroom when we were off of 6th and Federal area and how much fun I would have running around and dancing with this stuffed cowboy thing that had these long gangly legs and arms and a big ole mustache and a cowboy hat. I remember going through the wallpaper books and eating fishy crackers in the breakroom while watching the old black and white TV on days that I was sick and couldn’t go to school. I remember being horribly bored but glad that I got to spend time with my mom and so happy I got to see my grandpa and grandma. I remember thinking the building was huge and that there were endless places to run and hide.
It made me smile watching these little girls run around being kids in a pretty adult environment and still being able to have fun. It makes me smile knowing that everyone in this office is so open to people bringing their kids here. We all know that parents have a responsibility to their kids, but still need to get things done. It is what our family owned business really has been built on and I’m proud to be a part of it. From childhood memories to learning the business and growing within it, even on days when I’d like to pull a cover over my head and not deal with the grown up things in life, I am glad to be here with my family and friends.
I’m glad to have friends who are willing to drive from Broomfield to Lakewood to bring me a coffee and a hug and glad to have awesome kids in my life to make me rememeber that all the bad things in the world feel just a little bit easier to handle when you have a little one give you a sweet snuggle.
My Grandfather is always right
My grandfather started this business back in 1959. He tells me all the time that when he ran this business (which is now run by his daughter and son), he only had a handful of carpet samples, and never needed a big showroom like we have today. Almost everytime I see him in our office he grumbles, “I just don’t really understand why they need all this stuff in here. Who needs all these choices?!”
So, here I am, my 3rd week into the family business. My mind is literally blown with all of these products. All of the carpet mills have different names for different products. They have high end, low end, polyester, nylon etc. Then we have all the ceramic tiles, the vinyl, the laminate, the engineered hardwood, the solid hardwood, the bamboo. And I realize, knee deep into my 3rd week, that when I laughed at my grandfather’s grumbling before I began working here, I was incredibly naive. I had absolutely NO CLUE that the world of flooring was SO in depth, and that they are making new products ALL the time. So, the next time I see my grandfather, I will have to tell him that he was right, and that my mind is officially blown.
I came from the world of insurance, and felt very strongly that purchasing insurance online was a BAD idea, especially if you don’t know anything about insurance. There are so many companies and so many coverages that even people in the insurance industry who have been living and breathing insurance for 30+ years, they often don’t know everything about a policy they are selling. And I’ll tell you what, messing around with insurance is a horrible idea, because when you need it the most, you better hope it is going to protect you.
My point: Always talk to an expert!
Now that I’ve been really digging into all of this information about floor and window coverings, I understand why people in this business don’t really think that people should be purchasing flooring or window coverings from places like Home Depot or Lowes, even if the prices are great. Now, I love both of these stores. As an adult, I think these stores are equivelant to candy shops for kiddos. (Now, whether or not I think it is fun to shop there with my husband is a very different story!) But with how many options we have in the flooring/window coverings industry now-a-days, I’m not sure I would trust myself to make a good decision on what the best product would be for me in my home for my situation.
My family’s business has been around since 1959 and was started by my grandfather. My mom, Pat Fear, has been working here for over 30 years. My uncle, Dale Bretz, has been here for 16 years. Most of our installers have been working with us for as long as my mom has been here. Speaking as someone who doesn’t have a whole lot of experience with this industry, but has a LOT of experience with insurance and contractors, I can promise you that it is very important that the people you buy product from trust their installers and trust their product.
And please remember that a lower price does not always mean you’re getting a great deal! Sometimes, it also means you’re getting a bad products and even worse service.
My best advice to any home owner out there looking to purchase floor/window coverings is: Go with someone you can trust, and someone who is educated on the product.
I am looking forward to more mind blowing information in the future!
Kyla
