Jorge Perez is the owner of Epic Hardwood Floors in Tacoma, Washington. He is an NWFA Certified Installation Professional and Certified Sand and Finish Professional, a Bona Certified Craftsman (BCC), was recognized on Hardwood Floors magazine’s 40 Under 40 list in 2019, and received the Vanguard Industry Leadership Award in 2023.
Perez recently was featured on the NWFA Wood Talk podcast, so Hardwood Floors magazine caught up with him to ask a few more questions.
Tell us something interesting about yourself. While my wife, Sgt. Jade Perez was serving in the Army; I followed her to Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Carson in Colorado, and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state. We’ve put roots down in Tacoma, and I am deeply invested in my craft and business. I hope to pass it down to my three sons, Nickolas, Anthony, and Andy. I also create logos related to hardwoods, and my wife turns them into t-shirts, stickers, mugs, pencils, and more. Any money we receive from the sale of these items is donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
How did you get started in the industry? It began when I was 19 and living in Montebello, California. My parents were apartment managers, and the carpets would get trashed with every move-out. We realized hardwood was underneath the carpet, and my stepdad, Domingo, proposed that I stain, sand, and finish the hardwoods with local box store rentals. Thanks to the EZ-8, square buff, square palm sander, and dark walnut Minwax stain with a stinky poly, I got my first start at something beautiful.
Who has influenced your career the most and why? Jason Elquest was one of my first trainers. I was inspired by a story he told me about a little boat pulling a yacht called “Change Order.” Eric Peterson gave me the opportunity to become a BCC, which opened a world of finances and networking at a different professional level. Matt Casey and Dee Lenston mentored me in my early days, and now I am passing the torch on to others.
What is your favorite wood floor project that you’ve participated in? My favorite is the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. project for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rico Roman and his family. All my volunteers showed up for a few days, and then my helper and I worked alone on the most gratifying job I’ve ever done. The military changed my family’s life, and I am grateful to all of our military service personnel.
What are you reading right now? Currently, it is Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s “The Power of Positive Thinking.”
What energizes you to stay in the wood flooring industry? I have no safety net, backup plan, or plan B. Everything I have is because of the sweat on my forehead, bloodshed, long hours, and not giving up on my dreams. I’ve been working since I was six years old, selling magazines in flea markets. All I know is to work. It keeps me sane, keeps me out of trouble, and keeps my bills paid.
Do you have a morning routine that sets you up for success? I start with a five-minute meditation, stretching, and 10 to 20 push-ups or dumbbell sets. Then, I check emails, get myself and the kids ready, and prepare the work vans for the day.
What keeps you busy outside of work? I spend as much time as possible with my family. I hike with my two Doberman Pinschers, Spyke and Nina, daily, no matter the weather. On weekends, we take a Jeep Wrangler to the mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, islands, and many off-leash parks surrounding Puget Sound. The area has a serene and breathtaking atmosphere.