A Facebook group founded as a way to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has since become a bustling hub for flooring retailers. The Flooring Retailer Group, formerly known as Beat The Box Stores, is closing in on 4,000 members and serves as a type of “digital town square” for its members, says Todd Saunders, CEO of Sarasota, Fla.-based Broadlume and one of the founders of the popular group. “The group has exploded in popularity over the last few years,” Saunders says. “It’s a place for the industry to share ideas, give feedback and talk about opportunities/challenges.” The ability to get feedback from peers—almost instantaneously—is one of the biggest benefits of being part of the online community. “It’s amazing how willing people are to help their peers and at times help their competition,” Saunders says. “Deep down, it’s clear that the flooring industry acts as a team and everyone wants to push the industry to get better.” The group was also an inspiration for Saunders to launch FloorCon, an in-person networking and education convention for flooring dealers hosted annually by Broadlume. Saunders champions using social media to improve and stay ahead in the industry. “Your customers are there, your peers are there and your supplier partners are there,” he says. “It’s a great place to engage with different audiences.”
