For many who enjoy the artistry of working with wood flooring, the business side of the job can seem less fun. Prospecting for new clients, managing a team, and invoicing may not be the tasks you look forward to. However, you can’t make money if you don’t prioritize those elements of the day-to-day. The reality of owning your own company or wanting to own your own company is that when you start out, you may handle all of the pieces for yourself.
When I started SVB Wood Floors more than 20 years ago, I was running things out of my garage. We have grown a lot since then, and even opened a new showroom last year. The path to where I am today couldn’t have been done without industry friends and mentors sharing their knowledge with me.
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA)’s Real Answers Small Business Workshop is an opportunity to gain years of business knowledge in one day. Taking place on Friday, October 11, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., this special event is part of the first-ever NWFA Leadership Development Summit in St. Louis.
Designed for contractors and retailers, this new workshop will feature networking opportunities with industry leaders and training sessions developed by NWFA and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA will take you through the details of programs it offers including loans, government contracting, export assistance, the resource partner network, and more. This workshop will include sessions on finance, marketing, and operations.
A solid business plan is core to structuring and growing your business through every stage. Whether you are just thinking about going out on your own or have decades of experience, the SBA’s business planning session will help you build a roadmap to success. They also will share step-by-step advice on creating a marketing plan you can put into action. Of course, a business can’t survive without keeping track of the numbers, so you will learn how to create financial statements, forecasts, and financial ratios.
A contractor panel, including myself, Sprigg Lynn of Universal Floors, Kevin Mullany of Benchmark Wood Floors, and Chris Zizza of C&R Flooring and co-host of the NWFA Real Answers podcast, will share best practices to help shape the future of your company and the industry.
What are the biggest opportunities to grow your business? When do you know it is time to hire another crew? How can you keep a good employee for the long haul? Bring us your questions and we’ll give you answers.
Before and after the Small Business Workshop, we would love to have you attend other events that are part of the Leadership Development Summit. There will be a reception on Thursday, October 10, bringing workshop attendees together with the NWFA Boards and the Emerging Leaders Council. Manufacturers Assembly participants also will be there for this reception and their meeting on Friday. Following the Small Business Workshop, an open house at the NWFA’s new headquarters will offer an exclusive tour of the central hub for NWFA’s technical training, industry events, and member activities.
Then, join us for the NWFA Education and Research Foundation (NERF) Golf Tournament on Saturday, October 12. The funds raised will help students attend a quarterly Introduction to Wood Flooring class hosted by NWFA. Held at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club, it’s going to be a fun way to get in a round of golf, raise money for a good cause, and build lasting relationships with others who share a passion for wood flooring.
For more information, visit nwfa.org/real-answers-small-business-workshop/ or call the NWFA team at 800.422.4556. I hope to see you there, ready to elevate your business and career.