A Conversation with Kaylee Girard of Creative Design Flooring
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In a recent interview, Tanner McHugh sat down with Kaylee Girard of Creative Design Flooring to discuss the company’s remarkable journey from a two-person startup to a powerhouse in the Arizona market. With a legacy spanning over 30 years, Creative Design Flooring has successfully navigated rapid growth by balancing robust operational processes with a culture that prioritizes individual relationships.
The Power of Individual Relationships and Scaling
A core pillar of Creative Design Flooring’s longevity is its focus on the individual rather than just the corporate entity. Girard notes that the company maintains relationships with everyone involved in a project, from end-users and designers to superintendents and interns.
- Long-Term Loyalty: This people-first approach means that as professionals move to different companies, they often take Creative Design Flooring with them as a preferred partner.
- Structured Growth: To manage this expansion without losing their personal touch, the company has developed rigorous processes and procedures. By assembling dedicated teams, they ensure that clients never feel the company has grown “too big” to provide focused service.
Navigating the Arizona Market Pipeline
While multi-family housing remains the “bread and butter” for Creative Design Flooring, the sector continues to grow and keeps the team consistently busy. Being a part of this expanding market has been an exciting journey for the company as they maintain their strong presence in Arizona.
In addition to their core business, the data center market in Phoenix is currently booming, with the company bidding on new projects almost every week. The healthcare sector also remains a steady force in their pipeline.
Leveraging the Starnet Partnership
As a relatively new Starnet member, Creative Design Flooring has aggressively utilized the network’s educational and networking opportunities to drive internal development.
- Business Development: Girard highlighted the hands-on training program, the Business Development Seminar, that had an immediate impact on their team. One employee, Amanda, was so inspired by the training that she transitioned into a sales role the moment they returned to Arizona.
- Emerging Leaders: Participating in the Emerging Leaders group (formerly NextGen) has allowed Girard to connect with peers who understand the nuances of the flooring industry, providing a valuable support system of non-local competitors.
- Vendor Engagement: Starnet events have also facilitated direct connections with major vendors, such as Mike Patrick from Milliken, who later visited their office to provide motivational training for the staff.
Looking Ahead
Despite their success as a powerhouse company, Creative Design Flooring remains committed to its roots, keeping the office culture light, upbeat, and fun. By combining a high-energy work environment with the professional resources provided by Starnet, they are well-positioned to continue their growth in the thriving Arizona market.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Kaylee Girard for sharing her insights on scaling a family business while maintaining a world-class culture.