Article Number : 3595 |
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| Date | 9/1/2008 8:17:46 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3595 |
| Abstract | Carpet King Interiors - Fernley, Nev. How do successful retailers make it to the top and gain a competitive advantage? For Rick McKinney, the journey started with a mission statement: “Do better than I did one year before.” More recently, it continued with becoming an S&G Carpet & More affiliate... |
| Article | Carpet King Interiors - Fernley, Nev. How do successful retailers make it to the top and gain a competitive advantage? For Rick McKinney, the journey started with a mission statement: “Do better than I did one year before.” More recently, it continued with becoming an S&G Carpet & More affiliate. McKinney’s motto is simple yet profound. More importantly, it is easy to measure. He carefully tracked his progress and thoroughly evaluated his business practices, incorporating this concept into every aspect of his operation. Holding steadfast to his goal, he constantly adapted and evolved his business model. Success was soon to follow. McKinney entered the flooring industry at 15. While his career “started as a cash job” installing floors, he was a business owner by the time he was 21. Following his goal of always doing better than the previous year, he was able to retire at 40. However, two years later his passion for the industry brought him out of retirement, and 10 years later he bought Carpet King Interiors in Fernley, Nev. Carpet King consists of a 2,000-square-foot space that includes a warehouse, along with a few employees and between eight and 10 installers. He has broken into the coveted commercial market, which makes up the majority of his business. He thrives on large hotel renovations as well as smaller-scale projects from his property management ties. Because his stores have always prided themselves on “quality, workmanship and integrity,” 90% of his business comes from referrals. McKinney’s became an S&G Carpet & More affiliate a few months ago, he said, because his philosophy of integrity aligns with that of S&G’s ownership. He said he also benefits from strong buying power, resulting in reduced merchandising costs and increased profits. And, he “appreciates belonging to an organization that continually supports its affiliates, values their independence and treats them with respect.” He understands that “mom and pop stores can’t survive in a conglomerate industry,” so he chooses to be “connected to a class organization.” Specifically, McKinney says he now commands more respect from manufacturers and distributors as an S&G affiliate, and despite a tough economy his business is up 30% since joining. He also cited S&G’s marketing prowess, particularly its $69 installation program it promoted for three months. “We have a Home Depot and Lowe’sin our community that offer a $199 and a $99 installation [respectively],” he said. “But it doesn’t fly. S&G showed me how to make it work. So, now I chargefor tearout. And it also has to be for a certain level of material.” |