A Veterans Day Tribute to Local Business Owner

Steve Finch opened his Floor Coverings International Des Moines business in May. With his mobile showroom, Finch serves the Des Moines area, Ames and Marshalltown by providing a diverse range of flooring styles and types right to customers’ homes. Now, providing both trendy and established flooring options tailored to a room’s décor, the United States Air Force (USAF) veteran is defying retirement to as he reinvents his impressive career.

For 20 years Finch served in the USAF, where he began as enlisted but became commissioned upon receiving his degree in professional aeronautics, retiring as an officer. Upon his retirement from the military, Finch worked for close to two years at TPI Composites where he manufactured blades for wind generators. But Finch wanted to live out a passion for home improvement that he had long held and it is that passion that brought him to Floor Coverings International.

“You’re never too old to start a business,” said Finch. “My career has taken me from the USAF to running a business buying and remodeling homes to rent or resell. Fixing up homes is what I love to do, and Floor Coverings International lets me do that in a way unlike any other business would allow.”

With his mobile showroom, Finch is providing flooring options and installation that not only stands to improve the look of a home, but to improve a home’s value as well. Based off data obtained from the National Association of REALTORS®, a USA Today study assessing homebuyer preferences found that 54 percent of the study’s participants were willing to pay more for a home with wood flooring. To Finch, this study exemplifies the value he provides.

“Flooring is something people initially discount the importance of,” said Finch. “But time and time again the impact flooring has not just on a room but on a whole home as well becomes clear. Seeing the look in the eyes of a client when we replace unattractive flooring with a new, visually stunning variety that ties a room together makes it all worth it.”

Within the next five years Finch said he hopes to add two design associates, a project manager, an office manager and an additional showroom.

ABOUT FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL

Floor Coverings International has over 100 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada and expects to add 50 additional units by the end of 2016, targeting markets such as Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta as well as other strategic markets across North America. For more information, please visit www.floorcoveringsinternational.com/.