After decades in the flooring industry, Michael Barrows thought he was ready to retire. Instead, he found himself embarking on an entirely new adventure—opening Atlanta Flooring Studio in Alpharetta, Georgia, in 2024 alongside his business partner Mimi Mulugeta, who made her own career shift from telecommunications to flooring just a few years ago.

The duo previously worked together at Atlanta Flooring Design, a flooring company, where they developed both a strong professional relationship and a shared vision for customer service. When circumstances led to Barrow’s departure from his previous position, Mulugeta didn't hesitate to join him in the new venture.

"Wherever you go, I'll go," Mulugeta recalled telling Barrows during the transition. Her loyalty stems from witnessing Barrow’s expertise and character firsthand. "He is so good with homeowners," she explained. "The customers love him. They trust him."

Barrows brings decades of experience to Atlanta Flooring Studio, built on a foundation of military service and entrepreneurial leadership. After serving in the United States Air Force, he became owner and president of Lilburn Carpets & Floorcovering in Lilburn, Georgia, where he spent 17 years building the business and honing his expertise in the flooring industry. He then transitioned to a 16-year executive role at Atlanta Flooring Design, where he further developed his in-depth knowledge of products, installation, and customer service. This extensive background—spanning military discipline, business ownership, and corporate leadership—has shaped his approach to quality and customer relationships at his new venture.

Mulugeta’s path to flooring was anything but conventional. After nearly two decades at AT&T, where she managed multiple stores during the T-Mobile merger, she found herself questioning her career direction.

"I started to feel like 'What more?'... I genuinely started praying like there's gotta be more," Mulugeta reflected. "I didn't feel like I was doing the right thing. I just felt like I'm just pushing products on people just to meet numbers."

The answer came through a former colleague who recruited her to the flooring industry in 2021. Despite initially knowing nothing about flooring—"I was taught to look up. I don't look down"— Mulugeta quickly discovered her passion for the business.

Building from the Floor Up

Atlanta Flooring Studio hosted a ribbon cutting on June 5, 2025. Photo: Atlanta Flooring Studio. 

Finding the right location for Atlanta Flooring Studio proved crucial for the new venture. After examining "about a hundred different places" across the Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Roswell communities, they settled on their current spot on a busy road that offers visibility to 21,000 cars daily.

The new showroom space required a complete build-out.  "It was a very frightening thing for me," Barrows admitted, describing the initial "cotton candy walls" of insulation they faced.

However, the duo's thoughtful planning and vision brought the showroom to life. Atlanta Flooring Studio sets itself apart through careful product curation, rather than an overwhelming selection, showcasing only the flooring brands and collections that cater to the area’s mid- to high-end clientele. The showroom displays roughly equal amounts of hardwood, resilient, carpet, tile, and natural stone—all selected with discerning clients in mind. Seating and worktables facilitate collaboration and product selection, while an outdoor space is ideal for entertaining clients and colleagues. The aim is to serve as "a hub for designers and architects" while remaining accessible to informed consumers.

The team works on projects ranging from modern homes and industrial lofts to rustic cabins and coastal-inspired remodels, as well as Main Street projects. Both partners emphasize their commitment to quality over volume. Unlike competitors who might "race right to the bottom" by showing the least expensive flooring options first, Atlanta Flooring Studio takes a different approach.

"If somebody comes in with a price for $4 for an LVT, I would say you might want to go buy from them because I'm not your store," Barrows said.

This philosophy extends to their installation team, where Barrows personally vets the craftspeople: "I look at their van. I look at the way they dress. I look at the way they talk to me."

Future Growth

Despite current economic uncertainties and the challenges of new business ownership, both partners remain optimistic about their venture. The location benefits from proximity to a high-end salon whose clientele aligns perfectly with their target market, and they've already secured several residential and Main Street projects.

Future plans include potentially expanding into a larger space and developing relationships with custom home builders; however, they remain committed to focusing on residential and small commercial projects, rather than large-scale developments. 

"It's been a great experience and I wouldn't trade it in for the world," Barrows said. "I'm very happy I didn't retire."