Husband-Wife Duo Find the Best Flooring Brand in North America
Looking for Stability Instead of Volatility, Husband-Wife Team Finds North America’s Top-Rated Mobile Flooring Brand Fits Bill
This article was originally published in Patch on October 4, 2024. (Oklahoma City, OK) –Scott Blomgren had developed an enviable set of leadership and team-building skills over a long working career. He just wanted to be able to put them to use without being subject to the turbulent ups and downs of the oil and gas industry. That’s what led the 54-year-old Blomgren and his wife, Tami, to launch Floor Coverings International of Metro OKC.
Blomgren had been involved in environmental, safety and health practices in a variety of leadership roles and was most recently vice president of software solutions for an oil and gas professional training company. But as Blomgren succinctly noted: “The oil-and-gas industry is often a highly leveraged and highly volatile industry with many highs and many lows. With great risk comes great rewards, but also the possibility of great loss.”
Such unpredictability led to Blomgren experiencing several layoffs during the course of his career, the most recent coming last year. That led him to reassess his priorities. “I decided it was time to embrace what I had always wanted to do as a profession,” said Blomgren, a Choctaw resident. “And that was to build a team of individuals that could succeed, be rewarded for their efforts, serve the community and provide a service or deliver a product that was not entirely oil-and-gas dependent.”
After deciding that franchise ownership best fit their needs and wants, Scott and Tami found a perfect match with FCI and launched Floor Coverings International of Metro OKC, serving customers in central and eastern Oklahoma and central and eastern Cleveland counties.
FCI offers a wide variety of flooring options, including carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile, engineered wood, and vinyl. The Design Associates at Floor Coverings International provide personalized assistance in making selections and the mobile showroom allows clients to see how different options will look with existing furniture, lighting, and paint colors all within the comfort of their home.
Since becoming a Floor Coverings International franchise owner, Blomgren said he has enjoyed a newfound freedom in his decision-making process that was lacking in his previous career. “Coming from the corporate world, I experienced the rigidity of decision-making,” he said. “I had forgotten the joy and excitement of making good decisions quickly.”
Blomgren said he and Tami – a schoolteacher for more than 20 years – have never worked together but are enjoying the experience, and Tami’s background as an educator has proved beneficial. “She has the ability to make the best out of chaotic situations. It has been very useful in project management and dealing with suppliers, installers, and customers. Her demeanor helps in navigating the situation in ways that result in the best outcome for the customer.”
Like any other couple, the Blomgrens have also established some ground rules as a couple-in-business-together. “You cannot have two chiefs, you need two partners aligned to a common goal,” Blomgren said. “And when work is over… work is over. You need to no longer be co-workers, but spouses.”
With Floor Coverings International having already revolutionized the market, the flooring industry is undergoing significant changes and innovations, as well, as consumers demand more quality, variety, and sustainability in their flooring choices. What’s more, according to real estate company FastExpert, new flooring can make homes substantially more appealing to potential buyers when looking to sell.
According to statistics from the National Association of Realtors, 54 percent of house purchasers are inclined to shell out additional money for homes with hardwood floors, amounting to roughly an extra $2,080, reported FastExpert. “The average cost for installing hardwood floors is around $4-$6 per square foot. But, doing so can increase home value by three percent to five percent on average, making it a wise investment for those looking to sell. For example, if your home is valued at $500,000, installing hardwood floors could increase its value by $15,000 to $25,000, providing a substantial return on investment,” FastExpert reported.
The big flooring favorites throughout the FCI system? Pet- and kid-friendly floors that clean up with one mopping and look like genuine wood. Favorites in the Oklahoma City market include:
- Sustainable Materials: Homeowners are turning to laminate flooring crafted from eco-friendly materials such as recycled wood fibers.
- Authentic Wood Look: The demand for realistic-looking wood floors continues to soar.
- Waterproof Performance: Given recent erratic weather conditions, waterproof laminate floors are hot!
- Vinyl Flooring: As technology advances, vinyl flooring gets close to natural wood and stone looks that are easily cleaned with a damp mop.
- Carpet: There are still die-hard carpet lovers because of the feeling and look of cozy and warm. Not so much shag. Many more flat pile, textures and patterned looks are available.
- Engineered Hardwood Flooring: This is the best in luxury flooring offering real wood veneers with remarkably high quality and detail.
“We’ve seen an increased investment by traditional homeowners in home improvement projects as of late,” Blomgren said. “Also, many homes were purchased for use as rental properties and there has been a lot of movement between homes by renters instead of buying a home because of low inventory and high lending rates. Therefore, there have been a lot of opportunities that we previously may not have had to provide flooring changes to property managers and lessors.”
For more information about a consultation go to Floor Coverings International of Metro OKC or call (405) 977-3244.
