At Work With Step On Me Flooring
By Libby Barsky
July 18, 2008
Name: Step On Me Flooring
Type of business: Retail provider of carpets, vinyl, tile, and laminate flooring, and ceramic tile
Address:
Telephone: (732) 942-0790
Number of employees: 7
Founded: January 1999
Hours: Sunday 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday evening 7-9 p.m., Friday by appointment. Evening appointments also available.
Top officers: Yehoshua and Sara Stavsky, owners
How would you describe your business?
"Step On Me Flooring is dedicated to providing for the flooring needs in the
What makes your business special?
"We are very honest and make good on our service. If there is a problem, we'll fix it. Our staff is personable and friendly. Some of our sub-contractors have been installing our carpets since we started.
"We try to give our customers the best prices we can by negotiating with suppliers and purchasing roll specials so we stock better quality rugs for a good price.
"We have a large selection of ceramic tile and wall tiles stocked in our warehouse. No one has to wait for the tile order to be delivered. Once the customer decides, we can deliver the same day.
"People don't have to go to two separate stores. It's one-stop shopping. Customers can come here and purchase both carpeting and tile."
What goals do you have for the business?
"To make my customers happy with our friendly service and employees. We have been growing since we started and our goal is to continue to grow the business."
How has your business changed?
"When we started, we didn't sell ceramic tiling. We sold only carpeting. Five or six years ago we started selling tile. Right now it's a large part of our business and now we sell as much tile as carpeting. We have been selling to builders of new homes. We don't make installer recommendations for tile. We do for the other carpeting and flooring."
What was your most important deal?
"Our most important deal was starting to sell tile along with our other flooring products five years ago. It's increased our sales. We also have a warehouse in order to store the tiles.
"Starting the business was our first important deal. I always wanted to have my own business so opening the store was very important to me. We were in a different location for our first two years. We knew it would be temporary. Our location was developed into condos after we moved to our present location."
What changes do you expect in your business in the next 10 years?
"I can't predict what will happen. Styles in carpeting will change. Right now mosaic tiles are in style, where they weren't five years ago. Unfortunately, the one thing that will change -- and it's beginning right now -- is that prices will go up due to increased costs of materials and gas. This is especially happening in tiles because the tiles are made in
What is the most important thing you've learned in your business?
"You have to be honest. We have found that being honest pays off in the long term. Honesty pays and creates repeat customers. Even if people don't initially buy from me, they have come back because of experiences with another retailer. Or they will recommend us to others. I'm very honest."
What advice would you give to someone who might consider your line of work?
"Make sure you know how to negotiate with manufactures. There are a lot of price points in this business and you have to bargain with the supplier. That is key to this business.
"I'd also advise someone not to become too big too fast, because you could go out of business entirely. A new store might want to start with all kinds of carpets, and tile, and include carpet cleaning. But all at once it's too much."
Is there anything else you would rather be doing?
"No. Before this, I worked for a place that sold videotapes. I did sales, customer services and was assistant manager. That experience led me to decide I wanted to have my own business. Being my own boss is what I always wanted to do."