Growing up I had a craving for knowledge. I was always learning how to do something and experimenting with things to figure out what made them tick or how they would react under certain environments. I wanted to be a product tester for kitchen appliances, if not, cars because I figured I could crash and blow up stuff for fun and get paid. I had a mile-long list of jobs before I was twenty-one, ranging from fast food to retail supervision, sales, insurance and even working in a national laboratory. One thing I had no experience in was the trades. I was introduced to the flooring industry in 2020 and at this time, I was going to school for mechanical engineering. At the halfway point in my degree, God called me to learn the trade of flooring installation and eventually open a nonprofit youth center to teach kids a trade that they could take with them anywhere in life and use at any time. 

Before I could teach anyone else, I had to make sure I was doing everything correctly. I signed up for the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) Basic Flooring Installation program in 2024 where I built my skills foundation. But what I learned following graduation from the program was that there is another component to education—mentorship. I am asking tons of questions, having lengthy conversations and getting help from people who truly want to see me succeed. 

The Starting Point

In the fall of 2023, I was beginning to transition from working for a flooring company to branching off on my own. I realized that I wasn’t sure if I could start a business in something that I had no background in, had never done by myself and didn’t see many others that look like me in this field. 

I began watching YouTube videos trying to figure out the best ways to start up a business. I was listening to a podcast and one thing that the guest speaker said was something along the lines of “invest in yourself! Why would you go all these years trying to figure out how to do something rather than just pay someone to tell you exactly what to do and how to do it, to get there in half the time?” When I heard that, it clicked for me. I began to research workshops, trainings and even possible trade schools to attend, and that’s when I stumbled across the FCEF program. 

FCEF had many programs running all across the country, and the closest one I could find near me, in North Dakota, was in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The downside was it started in less than 90 days. After doing a little bit of digging to understand the requirements, I got on the phone with Mrs. Kaye Whitener to figure out if I should hustle and try to make it to Cedar Falls, or if I should wait and go to a program held in Georgia. She could not stop raving about John Steier from Steier Flooring (John is one of the instructors in Cedar Falls). She made it seem like this guy was a legend, and I just had to meet the best of the best. 

I prayed and hustled as much as I could from around the beginning of December 2023 to the end of January 2024. John, the program and the facility were better than expected. The class environment and the instructors gave room for us to ask questions, experiment and learn from our mistakes. The Basic Floor Covering program is an awesome way for someone to get their feet wet in the flooring industry and learn the best techniques to be useful to an employer. 

The Importance of Mentoring

In Proverbs 24:6, it talks about having good counsel, and while this verse is referring more towards combat and war, I definitely think it can be applied to all areas of life. One thing that I am grateful for that the FCEF program provided was not only the confidence that I was lacking in both myself and my skills, but also an amazing mentor. Shortly after the program ended, I asked John if he would mentor me in all things flooring because, unlike others who may gatekeep or hoard information, he genuinely wants everyone to succeed by prioritizing collaboration and cooperation over competition. 

During our monthly meetings, John and I talk about a plethora of things, ranging from our experiences in the field, flooring trends, business and even how to network with other installers. It’s nice to have one-on-one time with a mentor because though the program was great, a 7’x7’ module is nothing compared to the obstacles we face in the real world. 

When we first started our meetings, a lot of my questions were about if I should take on certain projects I was considering or if I was taking on a headache. Then, we got into business topics such as pricing/bidding where John taught me about staying within the same price range as other local installers. 

Even from several states away he coaches me through different installation techniques such as soundproofing, moisture testing and using the right tools for a more efficient and quality install. John also keeps me up on all things going on in the flooring industry which is why I was able to attend a Schlüter workshop to learn how to install their products to properly waterproof a shower, as well as Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) training where I was able to obtain my certification in residential and commercial carpet. 

Another person who has been an amazing help throughout my journey is Chad Perry from Chad Perry Flooring in North Dakota. Chad found me in the nick of time when I had just quit working with my last flooring company after almost three years and thought I was ready to go off on my own. When I started working with Chad, I began to realize how much I really didn’t know and all the things I was doing wrong in my installations. He and his guys took me under their wing and showed me what an actual quality and thorough install looked like. 

What I love most about Chad is that he supported me every step of the way. Even to this day he is always willing to look at jobsites with me and teach me the art of negotiation as well as knowing my worth. I am beyond blessed to have John and Chad in my life to walk alongside me in this journey and encourage me when I need it most.

It Takes a Village

As I continue to grow in this industry, I’m reminded daily that true strength doesn’t come from doing everything on your own, but from surrounding yourself with wise counsel, asking questions, and staying humble enough to keep learning. Looking back, I can clearly see how every step from the jobs I had before flooring to the people God placed in my path were preparing me for something greater than just a career. The lessons I’ve learned, the skills I’ve built, and the relationships I’ve formed have all shown me the value of wisdom, community and perseverance. I’m thankful for the mentors who saw potential in me, and for a God who continues to guide my steps. My journey in the flooring industry is far from over, but I now walk with more confidence, purpose and a heart to one day pour into the next generation just as others have poured into me.