WFB asked followers on Facebook and Instagram what’s another career/job they tried before becoming a wood flooring pro. Here’s what they said:
Troy Stanfield
I managed a sleep disorders department in a hospital. I’ve been a wine consultant, a commercial cleaner and an antique furniture restorer, among other things.
Kyle Thompson
Crewed on yachts. 🛥️
Keith Christopherson
Since construction usually slows down in the winter, I tried working holiday retail. It was fun, but the schedule was tough to balance. I had fun joking with the homeowners, “Hey, did you want to save 5% by signing up for our credit card?” 😂
Jordan Hall
I’m second from left. 😂 Military and flooring. There is no in between. 😂
Alex Hamilton
A rockstar but failed miserably. 🤣
Chris T Pester
Chef.
Daniel Springer
I was in a firefighter program for a while when I was younger. I stopped because of a personal experience that made me realize I probably wouldn't be able to handle how messed up some of the calls I'd be responding to would be.
Joe Wolfe
Audio/visual installer.
Paul Digiore
Machine operator at 23. Tried to get out of this trade. Just got sucked back in by my mother because of her real estate. One good note: less commute. My father gave me advice, saying, “Get out while your body is good.” Should have listened.
Joe Smith
Bicycle and ski mechanic.
Sergio Gonzalez
I spent 6 years working in the petrochemical industry as a welder. I had the opportunity to come to the USA. Since 1992, I started in the floor industry. I love this profession. 👍🏻❤️
Steven Triplett Jr.
Lifer.
Jim Hyde
I was a lifeguard in the summer and a commercial sea urchin diver in the winter for several years.
Jesika Peterson
Photographer, writer and graphic designer.
Michael Kobylarek
I worked in the Cortical Neural Prosthetics Lab at the University of Michigan. My mentors provided an opportunity to contribute and be published in the Journal of Neural Engineering and the Journal of Neuroscience Methods as a second author.
Clint Fudge
Spent eight years working in dairy, operating all aspects of milk processing.
Alex Franklin
I came from fast food for two years to flooring. But before that, I started out in the construction field when I was 16, and I am 39 now.
James Oneill
Carpet and upholstery cleaning.
Bradley Kidder
ASE mechanic.
Craig Charleston
I worked at Winn-Dixie when I was 15. Does that count?
Christopher Thorsby
Mechanic but much happier working on hardwood floors.
Tony Horsman
Radio DJ.
Adrian Molitor
Scab vendor. I had periods of OK tattooing and periods that were very rough! 😞
Devan Hale
Pipefitter, HVAC, roofing, plumbing, dirt bike mechanic, mobile mechanic for cars, AT&T phone sales, digital marketing specialist, landscaping…oh, and sterilization tech for a dentist's office.
William Burnam
Steel worker.
Mike Somodean
IT.
Jhonas De Lima
Mechanical engineer in Brazil.
Steve Albert
Oligarch. I was an oligarch, but like most oligarchs, even that wasn't enough. I HAD TO HAVE MORE!!!! So I started doing wood floors!
Jake Schlichte
Built race tracks and ran races.
Floors by the Shore
Camera assistant for ESPN, Monday night football show called BioBlast, as well as a bunch of other shows like the ESPY Awards. Then I worked in a microbiology lab for a company that processes human bone and soft tissue.
iSandNewYork LLC Official Page
I was 15 years old and stocked shelves at a supermarket for no more than three days. I quit mid-shift and begged my uncle to let me back in the business. I don’t even think I went back for my check. 😂😂
Oliver Flooring
Went to a trade school for carpentry out of high school. Got sick of the outside elements and wanted to stay indoors.
Green Bay Floor Restore
Tractor-trailer driver hauling household goods for North American Van Lines across the country.
DS Hardwood Flooring
I was 18 and got interviewed at KFC; they said I didn’t smile enough. So I opened up a flooring business and haven’t had to smile since.
Lisas_kitchen_eats
I was a housewife and cake decorator. Now I make other people's houses nice by decorating them with putty and poly. 🤣
Ridgewood Flooring
Welding and chemical plants.
I.r.b.flooring
I was a chef before.
Josh Faye
Spent some time working in a brass foundry. Making custom brass door hardware.
MD Hardwood Floors
I was a photojournalist for 22 years before I got into hardwood flooring.
