Clark County at Work: Floor Coverings International
Floor Coverings International employee Benjie Kalberg removes carpet from a home in Camas before the new owners move in. Co-owner Toby Tabor said 80 percent of his company’s business is residential.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Business name: Floor Coverings International.
Owners: Toby and Amy Tabor.
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Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com;
fax 360-735-4598;
phone 360-735-4550.
Address: 4510 N.E. 68th Drive, Suite 118 in the Cold Creek Business Center.
What the business does: Floor Coverings International offers in-home and design studio consultations to create a different floor-shopping experience. All types of materials for a flooring design in the home are available: carpet, hardwood, ceramic tile, vinyl, and specialty products from bamboo to slate, plus glass accents. All design associates are skilled and trained to provide customers with unique designs and the right product for their needs. Toby Tabor said his company’s job is to inspire the customer, and to open up an opportunity to create the most beautiful and appropriate flooring solution.
How has the economy affected your business: Tabor said the weak economy has made it tougher but it has also provided some opportunities. His revenue has grown over the past two to three years and 80 percent of his business is residential. He has found that most homeowners are going to take care of their home and they need someone to help them and offer advice. Due to the economy people are not always able to sell their homes so they are upgrading them. Customers are frugal about how they spend their money but Tabor said his staff shows them how changing the flooring will improve their home.
Greatest challenge: The biggest challenge is finding the best way to market the business. Tabor said it is hard to know where to spend the money because he doesn’t want to make any financial mistakes. His company is learning how to reach customers via the Internet.
What’s ahead: Tabor believes on a national level, things have hit bottom. He will look to add more design associates and grow his business with caution.
Year established in Clark County: 2005.
Employees: Six.
Telephone: 360-571-5731.
Fax: 360-571-3411.
Email: ttabor@fcivancouver.com.
Website: http://www.vancouver.floorcoveringsinternational.com.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; in-home consultation by appointment.
