A medical crisis can threaten much more than a flooring family’s health. The Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) helps eligible families manage the financial strain that can follow.

Brian Preuss speaks with FCIF Executive Director Andrea Blackbourn and board member Paul Murfin about who may qualify for assistance, what grants can cover, and how support may extend to an eligible family member in a flooring worker’s household. Andrea explains the medical, financial, and industry employment considerations behind an application. She also shares the difficult circumstances many families face by the time they reach out.

For retailers, installers, commercial flooring contractors, and supplier partners, Paul has a straightforward request: make sure people know FCIF exists. The conversation covers FCIF’s Advocate Program and ways to support its work.

Learn about eligibility and apply: https://www.fcif.org/grants-applications Become an FCIF advocate: https://www.fcif.org/be-advocate Support FCIF: https://www.fcif.org/give-floorcovering-industry-foundation

If this resource could help someone you know in the flooring industry, please pass this episode along.

How do you build a lasting career in flooring—and help grow a business from $4.5 million to $15 million?

Steven Wright, Executive Vice President and VP of Sales at Flooring Direct DFW, joins Brian Preuss to share an unconventional career journey spanning information technology, e-commerce, and flooring sales leadership.

After spending 32 years at Daltile across technology, manufacturing, distribution and logistics, Steven leaped into direct sales. Today, he helps lead Flooring Direct DFW, where he has played a key role in transforming its sales organization and expanding its shop-at-home flooring business.

In this episode, Steven discusses:

• Turning dyslexia into a problem-solving advantage
• The three qualities that create trust
• Adapting when the flooring market changes
• Using sales metrics to strengthen team performance
• Generating leads through realtor partnerships
• The growing demand for shop-at-home flooring
• Building a three-to-five-year business plan

Whether you are building a career in flooring, leading an independent dealership, supporting contractors or partnering with flooring businesses, this conversation offers practical lessons on leadership, sales and sustainable growth.

Follow What’s Underfoot for more conversations with the people supporting, shaping and moving the floor covering industry forward.

In his first episode as host of What’s Underfoot, AHSG & Commercial USA President Brian Preuss sits down with Shelley Ackerman, Director of OEM Sales & Commercial Buying Groups at Taylor Adhesives.

Shelley shares lessons from her career in design, manufacturing and commercial flooring, including how to navigate change, invest in your best people, strengthen supplier partnerships and address the labor challenges facing the industry. She also explores the future of flooring installation and why businesses should continue doubling down on the human experience.

Along the way, the conversation covers Shelley’s 1,000-mile motorcycle challenge, her unusual choice of golf club and what happens when someone tells her she cannot do something.