David Williams is the vice president of Horizon Forest Products, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The distribution company has 22 locations across 11 states. Williams has been a longtime member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), previously serving on the Board of Directors and as Chairman. Here, he reflects on 40 years in the hardwood flooring industry and shares five things he would do differently if he had to start his career over again.
1. Find and hire more great people.
I have hired some great people, absolutely, and I am appreciative and thankful for each of them. I do think that I could have spent more time finding more of those great people and then hiring them. I believe that great things come from great people, and the more you have on your team, the better the team is.
2. Invest in building assets.
We own a few of our buildings, but I believe that true wealth comes from the assets you own – not the tools or the vehicles, but the land and the buildings you own. They appreciate in value many times over during your career, and they will be where your wealth is when you get to the end of the race.
3. Invest in a hardwood flooring mill(s).
I think that an integrated business where lumber is made into flooring and then the flooring is sold to the marketplace creates huge value to the business. There is an opportunity to control costs while creating innovative products for the industry.
4. Do more business acquisitions.
I believe a larger company is a stronger company. If I could have bought more companies at the right time, I think our company would be stronger and more versatile. The hardwood flooring market is so unique, and yet the markets in different cities are very similar. By combining the businesses into a larger business, I think we could have been a better company.
5. I would have traveled more.
The world has so much to see. I have been blessed to visit many places and see many things. I have been from China to India, to Europe, and to the Americas, and I just enjoy experiencing God’s creation.
Finally, I would have been way more involved in ministry work. Life goes by so quickly. I know I tried to focus on the most important things, but also I wonder if I could have done more to make the most of the blessings I had. I hope this article helps you keep your focus on the important things in life.
