After a corporate career spanning more than 20 years, Evan Schaffner wanted to work more closely with customers. He achieved that goal earlier this year by becoming a franchise owner with Floor Coverings International, a company that takes its mobile flooring showroom directly to customers’ homes or businesses.
Schaffner’s Floor Coverings International of Berks-Mont franchise serves customers across the region, including Berks County, northern Montgomery and northern Delaware counties, as well as parts of Lehigh and Bucks counties.
Schaffner and his wife, Amy Orlando-Schaffner of Collegeville, purchased the business in January and officially opened in the spring. In mid-June, Schaffner held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for the business at its office at 3277 W. Ridge Pike, Suite B-204, in Limerick Township.
In addition to Schaffner, the staff includes regional office manager, Maria Romano Trampe who manages the daily office activity as well as the company’s social media.
“Plus, I plan to hire a design associate by year-end and another during the first half 2024,” he said.
Schaffner began his career working for his family’s small manufacturing company, according to a release.
“While that experience set my foundation for a very successful corporate career, the opportunity to build my own Floor Coverings International business allowed me to return to my roots and take full advantage of the skills I have accumulated throughout my career,” Schaffner said in a statement.
Schaffner also worked for more than 20 years with two insurance companies and most recently was a senior vice president and chief service officer for a $1.5 billion employee benefits insurance provider. He said as he gained more responsibility, he found himself getting further away from the customer.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to mentor young talent and guide them in their own careers,” he said. “However, at the point I was in my career, I was seeking the opportunity to directly work with and solve problems for customers.”
As he considered his next steps, Schaffner spoke with franchised and independent business owners — a step he encourages all entrepreneurs to take.
“Smart people can learn products and services across many industries,” he said. “But running your own business and taking on all the responsibility that comes with it is more challenging than it might appear on the surface.”
According Grand View Research, the global flooring market is expected to grow at an annual rate of more than 6% through 2028, with overall sales expected to reach $621 billion.
Schaffner added that engineered flooring products that look and feel like natural wood continue to improve, “allowing us to meet the needs of a broad customer base.”
The process of working with Schaffner and Floor Coverings International of Berks-Mont starts with a free, in-home consultation. The Mobile Flooring Showroom features thousands of samples of carpeting, hardwood, tile, stone, luxury vinyl, cork and custom-made area rugs from a variety of U.S. manufacturers — allowing customers to see how different options will look and perform, according to information on the company’s website. Once a customer chooses the flooring option that is best for them, Floor Coverings contractors will complete the installation.
For more information about Floor Coverings International of Berks-Mont visit https://qkr.floorcoveringsinternational.com/ or call 610-850-6101.
