Floor Coverings international® (FCI), a manufacturer-direct flooring company, has proven to be an easily scalable franchise opportunity with multiple revenue streams. By Brianna Bohn
Floor Coverings international® (FCI), a manufacturer-direct flooring company, has proven to be an easily scalable franchise opportunity with multiple revenue streams. Whether you are a veteran franchise owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, FCI provides the support you need to earn a steady cash flow from the get-go.
“Unlike other companies, we eliminate the retail side of things and go to the customer, providing an experience specifically tailored to the customer and their home. While we aren’t a large retail facility, we are of a small handful of those who purchase directly from the largest manufacturers in the world, which benefits customers. This buying power also benefits franchise owners, with the potential to increase margin lines,” said Chris Shaffer, senior director of franchise development.
For Adam and Beth Shepherd, co-owners of the Floor Coverings International in Rockford/Lansing, Michigan, they have already begun experiencing those benefits just three months after opening. Although the husband-and-wife team has no experience owning their own business, they have gained confidence (and customers!) by following FCI’s simple model.
“I am not detailed or system-oriented naturally. I have been able to follow all of the systems they have in place for sales, products and production, and they have helped me keep track of everything: the installations, where we are at in the process and the different projects I have going on at once. It has freed up my time and helped me worry less because I can just look at the resources they provide for us that I fill in,” said Adam. For he and his wife, the transition from corporate life to business ownership has been smooth. While they have put a lot of hard work into building their success, they couldn’t be happier with the investment they have made with the No. 1 flooring franchise in North America.
“It has been everything we thought it would be plus more,” Adam shared. “The corporate team is always there answering questions and helping in any situations we have with the sales process, ordering products, everything.”
As a FirstService Brands company, FCI provides ongoing support to franchisees, starting with 150 hours of training during the onboarding process. Throughout training, franchisees learn how FirstService Brands operates all of its businesses with core values anchored in respect and the desire to improve. Outside of the initial training provided, franchisees receive a franchise coach and digital marketing experience, and they can learn about more complex concepts, like working with a spouse, at conventions.
“We received good advice from husband-and-wife teams at a convention. One of the teams said, ‘Stay in your lane, don’t mess with either person’s stuff, do your thing and trust them to do their thing,’” Beth said. Only a few months into owning their franchise, the Shepherds have found what works for them.
“Beth as our design associate in the field and me being the first and last point of contact has landed us some jobs,” Adam said. “They want to work with us because we are a husband-and-wife team that works together, and we care. We have one customer – we haven’t even done her job yet – and she told us we showed up when nobody else cared. We reached out and followed up with her.”
As the Shepherds continue to grow their business, they look forward to adding another Mobile Flooring Showroom® to their fleet, hiring a second design associate and working with CertaPro Painters, another company in FirstService Brands, as a referral partner.
Brianna Bohn