Experience travels and that bodes well for Mike and Lori Macpherson, who brought their vast corporate experience – along with some helpful personal experiences – with them when they became owners of Floor Coverings International of Lake Barrington.
Barrington residents, Mike (54) and Lori (53), bring more than 55 years of combined experience in the corporate world as they transition to small-business owners. Mike spent more than 30 years in corporate finance, working for several Fortune 500 companies in the Chicago area. He was most recently CFO for a $1B-plus division of a local consumer packaged goods company. Lori has more than 25 years’ experience in the food industry in research and development and sales roles. She is continuing her sales leadership role but will be providing design input to FCI customers on a part-time basis on evenings and weekends.
Mike had been looking forward to starting a new chapter in his business career. And with the couple having long considered operating a business of their own, they found a perfect fit in franchising and FCI. “I believe my past management experience and customer focus with diversified, complex organizations will be beneficial in growing our business,” Mike said. “And Lori’s creative approach in finding innovative solutions for her customers also translates well to FCI.”
Floor Coverings International is changing the game for those looking to upgrade their homes or offices with new flooring. With their innovative and award-winning customer service tools and unique mobile showroom experience, customers can now view more than 3,000 flooring options. Launched in September, Floor Coverings International of Lake Barrington serves customers throughout greater Barrington and surrounding areas including Cary, Fox River Grove, Palatine, Inverness and portions of Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and Hoffman Estates.
Mike and Lori can easily relate to their customers’ needs…and frustrations. Both have a passion for home renovation projects and having worked with many contractors, they have experienced the good and bad that come along with them and wanted to start a business that delivers an outstanding customer experience.
The Design Associates at Floor Coverings International provide personalized assistance in choosing from their extensive collection of flooring styles and materials. The mobile showroom allows clients to see how different options will look with existing furniture, lighting, and paint colors all within the comfort of their home.
“What impressed us most was Floor Coverings International’s keen focus on finding great products and solutions for customers while providing the best flooring experience in North America,” Lori said.
Floor Coverings International has already revolutionized the market as it consistently ranks as the No.1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. As projected by Hardware Retailing, home improvement sales are expected to reach $625 billion by 2025 worldwide. The flooring industry is undergoing significant changes and innovations as consumers demand more quality, variety, and sustainability in their flooring choices. According to a recent report by Expert Market Research, the United States flooring market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.50 percent through 2028, driven by the increasing population, rapid urbanization, and growing investments in renovations and remodeling of infrastructures.
“With millennials continuing to move into larger homes to raise families, we believe the home improvement industry will continue to grow, including the flooring sector,” Mike said.
According to the latest figures, there are more than 5.5 million family businesses in the United States and family-owned businesses contribute to 57 percent of the GDP and employ 63 percent of the workforce. Lori said setting boundaries is an important part of making a family-owned business work.
“Our advice to couples working together is to let each partner focus on the areas of the business that they are most passionate about and align with their strengths,” she said. :In addition, it’s important to schedule down time away from the business for family time.”
For more information about a consultation go to https://nwchi.floorcoveringsinternational.com
About Floor Coverings International
Norcross, GA-based Floor Coverings International ranks consistently as the No. 1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. The 240 franchisees (with 30 more under development) and their Design Associates offer a unique in-home experience with a mobile showroom that comes directly to the client’s door. More than 3,000 flooring choices are available to view in the home with and alongside the existing lighting, paint, and furniture. The company will open several more locations throughout the U.S. and Canada through franchise expansion. For franchise information, please visit www.flooring-franchise.com.
