I am the president of NFI Enterprises, a commercial flooring business that is committed to an aggressive growth plan in the Seattle market. However, in reality, the foundation of NFI Enterprises began in 1977, when my father, Gary Brown, started working with his uncle in the industry. In 1989, he opened his own company, Newcastle Flooring Inc., in Renton, Wash. In the early days, the business was primarily residential and a small amount of light commercial. Newcastle Flooring started the commercial portfolio with a few general contractors and, at that time, our coverage was mainly carpet, ceramic tile and resilient flooring.
Like any kid whose father owned a flooring business, I grew up sitting on rolls of carpet in the warehouse and sweeping floors. As I got older, I began to work in the warehouse and, through my high school years, I helped in the field. Truthfully, it was not my intention to join the business as a career. However, after high school, I tried other avenues of work, none of which I really enjoyed. I was looking for a steady job offering stability and health insurance.