Franchise Frontline: Veteran is Well-Prepared

Franchise Frontline

Successful Stories & Resources

By Rhonda Sanderson rhonda@sandersonpr.com

After Two-Decade Air Force Career, Veteran is Well-Prepared For New Life as Owner of Floor Coverings International of Middle Georgia

Steven Guillen already has plenty of experience for his new career. He just has to pare down operations, which shouldn’t be much of an issue, since the 45-year-old is accustomed to operating on a large scale… and that’s no exaggeration. Guillen is the owner of Floor Coverings International of Middle Georgia.

Guillen spent 21 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring, which included combat tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, while also living in Europe. He also worked for the U.S. government in foreign military sales, selling billions of dollars in military aircraft, weapons, boats, and military training to other countries.

Veterans such as Guillen represent 14 percent of U.S. franchisees, and they prove a good fit for the franchise model because veterans possess strong leadership skills and a thorough understanding of being part of a team. Franchises also operate on proven systems and defined procedures and the military training that veterans go through allows them to easily adapt to a system and find success in franchising.

“I decided I wanted a different pace. I wanted to be my own boss and establish my own culture and management style within a business… and treat people how I wanted to be treated,” Guillen said. “I want to be the boss that folks want to work hard for. I liked the Floor Coverings International business model. I did my research and Floor Coverings International was the most supportive and offered the best training.”

Norcross, GA-based Floor Coverings International has ranked consistently as the No. 1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. that comes directly to the client’s door. More than 3,000 flooring choices are available to view in the home with and alongside the existing lighting, paint, and furniture.

In Floor Coverings International, Guillen found a company that has tripled in size since 2005 by putting a laser focus on consumer buying habits and expressed desires, its impressive operating model, growth ability, marketing, advertising, and merchandising. Floor Coverings International further separates itself from the competition through its customer experience, made up of several simple and integrated steps that exceed customers’ expectations. For this, Floor Coverings International was given the Innovation Award for Customer Response from Franchise Update Media in 2020, and the same award again in 2021 for Best Use of Technology. Franchise Update is the benchmark publication and conference entity that is the Gold Standard of Franchising.

With the home improvement industry booming, the flooring market is also keeping pace. The global flooring market was estimated to reach $409 billion in 2021, according to Grand View Research. The market is expected to grow at an annual rate of more than six percent through 2028, reaching overall sales of $621 billion.

“I am very pleased with the support I have received from the franchisor,” said Guillen “and the launch in my market they assisted in. I never thought flooring would excite me but when I look at what we have available I think ‘wow’ who knew there were so many beautiful and durable flooring options available now?”

The company will open several more locations throughout the U.S. and Canada through franchise expansion for the next several years. For franchise information, please visit www.flooring-franchise.com

Rhonda Sanderson is a franchise PR expert specializing in traditional, social media and crisis PR in the franchise space since 1986. Her new column for SDVM will feature profiles of veterans who have delved into franchising and transitioned into career independence through this popular business model. Tips, reference materials and resources will also be part of this new advice feature.