FLIGHTS TO FLOORS

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 21, 2007 | by BILL RADFORD

Flying attack helicopters at night in far-off lands was something Marc Yates could handle with no problem. Starting his own business? Now that was frightening.

"It was a scary prospect, don't get me wrong," he said. "After 20 years, walking out into the unknown and starting your own business is a big step."

But being in business had long been a dream for Yates, 42. This fall, he retired after 20 years in the Army and became the owner of a Floor Coverings International franchise in Colorado Springs.

He had considered other routes after his military service. One path often followed by ex-military is defense contracting, but that didn't seem reliable, he said.

"There are jobs out there that may or may not be there in a year."

He was bitten by the franchise bug years ago and had looked at owning a Papa Murphy's pizza franchise, but he decided against it for various reasons. This time, he met with a franchise consultant to discuss options that would mesh with his goals and interests. Floor Coverings International, which provides in-home flooring consultation and installation, bubbled to the top.

The company operates about 80 franchises in the United States and Canada. Until a few years ago, it was a vanbased business. Franchisees filled their vans with samples and traveled from home to home. Now franchise owners are required to have a design studio that customers can visit.

"I think it really gives legitimacy to the business, because now you have an address," Yates said.

The focus, though, remains in-home custom design, with a variety of flooring including carpet, hardwood, tile and luxury vinyl. Using a digital camera and a computer program, Yates can take photos inside a home, mask out the flooring and show the homeowner what the interior would look like with different flooring.

"I think one of the biggest challenges for anyone doing remodeling is visualizing what their home is going to look like afterward."

Floor Coverings International doesn't compete with big-box stores such as Lowe's or The Home Depot, Yates said.

"We are looking at a higher-end customer, really more of a niche market."

The housing crisis is a concern, Yates said.

But it could work to his advantage as people remodel their homes rather than move, or if they fix them up before trying to sell in a tough market. Business across the company is a bit above average, he said.

Floor Coverings International charges a franchise fee of $40,000, with a franchisee's total investment ranging from $125,000 to $250,000. Yates said his startup costs for the first year are at the upper end of that range.

Yates spent most of his time in the Army as an aviation officer, with his last years spent teaching at the Air Force Academy. Now that he's traded his flight suit for khakis and a button-down shirt, he's finding that his military service trained him well for the business world.

"Any military person is used to systems," he said. "This is not rocket science. It is management, it is managing a system, it is being efficient."

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0272 or bill.radford@gazette.com

NEED NEW FLOORS?

Floor Coverings International provides a variety of flooring, including carpet, hardwood, tile and luxury vinyl. The design studio is located at 1044 Elkton Drive, but inhome consultations are available. To make an appointment, call 548-8044. For more information, www.floorcoveringsinternational.com.