Job Keeps Flooring Business Owner Grounded

Green Bay, WI, August 29--Rick De Mars began working in the flooring industry in 1971 at the age of 16 as a laborer on an installation crew and carpet-cleaning crew at L.P. Mooradian Co. and did so until he graduated from high school in 1973, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette. He went on to school at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the following summer was hired in the engineering department at Wisconsin Public Service, where he worked for one summer. But De Mars realized he did not enjoy working in an office setting and wanted to have a job that was more physically demanding. "In the fall of 1974, I approached Ken Braun, owner of L.P. Mooradian and asked if he had any positions open on his installation crew," he said. "Ken said yes, and I began work as an installer and apprenticed under four seasoned installers." In 1984 De Mars and a partner decided to become independent installers and started their company named Floor Covering Unlimited. "We began to work independently for stores around the Green Bay, Fox Valley and surrounding areas," he said. "I found this to be very educational as all stores did not operate the same." De Mars and his partner also expanded from residential work to commercial work. "Our first job on our own was the general offices of the Green Bay Packers," De Mars said, "We installed the flooring in the sky boxes, club seats, and did work on the indoor Packer practice field, now the Don Hutson Center, as well as installing flooring in the Packer Hall of Fame, locker rooms and weight room." In 2000, Rick became the sole owner of Floor Covering Unlimited and began to train his sons in the floor-covering industry. "I feel blessed to be able to teach my sons a trade that will support them if they choose to continue in this field," he said. "I feel good to know I can pass my experience and what I have learned on to the next generation. "I have had the honor of installing flooring in many beautiful homes," De Mars said. "I have worked in a home built by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Bucks Ranch, owned by the Wrigley Company, and I have enjoyed them all." What I love most about my job: "After 30 years I still find satisfaction from my customers when they see their new flooring. I like to be active and do physical work. I work in a new place daily and have the opportunity to meet a lot of nice people. I have also enjoyed perfecting my technique through the years." Advice for someone looking into this career: Apprentice under someone who is qualified and focused on quality. You need someone who can show you a proven way to install flooring. Bad habits are hard to break, so you need to learn good basics. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be ambitious.

Related Topics:RD Weis, Lumber Liquidators

Print the Article