A conversation with Carpet One's Evan Hackel: 'We're constantly trying to top ourselves'

Seated in his office and cradling the binder like a newborn, Hackel confidently explains that the plan is based on exhaustive research. Product trends, competition, vendors, demographics and even psychological profiles on different types of shoppers have all been taken into account. Most importantly, he says, the members were extensively involved in setting the priorities and developing the goals. Perhaps most notably, members at the winter convention participated in small round table discussions that helped set the agenda.

It all seems highly ambitious for such a well-established company, but Hackel assures that the effort is in keeping with the corporate culture that has propelled the company forward for the past 20 years. Simply put, he maintains that each step up for Carpet One is really just a platform used to climb up to an even higher level. And it's been that way for 20 years, he says.