Former Oil and Gas Engineer Builds Strong Bond with Son in New Career
“Being in Business Together Has Strengthened our Bond”
After experiencing a massive layoff from the oil-industry turndown in 2014, 51-year-old Anibal Dam was faced with the challenge of looking for a new career. Holding a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in petroleum engineering along with 25 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry,
“It was the second time I had gone through this cycle in the industry,” Dam said. “I decided to say farewell to my successful career to explore a proven business model.”
That turned out to be Floor Coverings International, which offers an unmatched selection of flooring products including carpet, hardwood, ceramic, tile and vinyl, as well as specialty products such as bamboo and slate.
Dam not only made a seamless transition to his new career, but found it brought another unexpected silver lining. His oldest son, 22-year-old Cesar, joined the business as company director.
“It has created a beautiful and strong partnership with a bright, growing vision for my franchise and company,” Dam said. “We have grown so much closer working together and our relationship has expanded into so many shared interests. It’s not only a great career move; it has enriched our family and our lives.”
Floor Coverings International’s expert Design Associates offer free in-home Design Consultations, visiting customers’ homes in a Mobile Flooring Showroom with thousands of flooring choices to assist them in choosing the perfect flooring solution. In business since February 2016, Dam’s franchise Floor Coverings International West Houston serves customers in West Houston, Sugarland and Pearland, Texas.
It didn’t take long for Dam to realize that his engineering, technical and supervisory skills helped pave the way for his transition to becoming a successful franchise owner in the flooring and home remodeling industry.
“I’m using many of the skills from my former career that were fully transferable to my new career,” Dam said. “I’m using geometrical calculations, doing price estimations, leading teams, mentoring my staff, learning regulations and codes and doing risk calculations among many other things.”
While some Floor Coverings International franchisees operate only mobile showrooms, Dam also boasts a state-of-the-art showroom at his franchise headquarters at 11300 Katy Freeway that highlights the latest products from the industry’s top manufacturers along with featuring a design center and full bathroom re-creation. Dam wants customers to turn to Floor Coverings International as their one-stop shop for design, flooring and home remodeling needs.
Floor Coverings International already separates itself from the competition through its customer experience, made up of several simple and integrated steps that exceed customers’ expectations.
“Customers are looking for a more convenient and practical approach to not only flooring, but home remodeling in general,” Dam said. “Most people don’t have the time and patience to research product options and then find ways to get the installation completed. People are looking for highly professional companies with the ability to assess a project, quote quickly and reliably and coordinate a fully integrated home remodeling project with a single point of accountability.”
Locally, contact Floor Coverings International West Houston at 713-714-6914.
ABOUT FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL
Floor Coverings International is the #1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America. The flooring industry is very stable although fragmented, allowing franchisees to quickly build market share utilizing the unique in-home experience and mobile flooring showroom. Floor Coverings International has 250+ locations throughout the U.S. and Canada with plenty of opportunity for continued expansion. In 2017 new units will open in Vancouver, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio as well as many other strategic markets across North America. For franchise information, please visit www.flooring-franchise.com and to find your closest location, www.floorcoveringsinternational.com.
