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2. How Surplus Carpet Is Helping Families in Need
52:43||Season 7, Ep. 2In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Andrew Sykes from Noah’s Ark Centre and Carpets Like a Boss to explore the impact flooring can have on people experiencing poverty, poor mental health and housing insecurity.Andrew shares his own journey from running successful businesses to suffering a nervous breakdown that completely changed the direction of his life. After finding a new purpose at Noah’s Ark, he used his financial background to help families escape debt and build more stable lives.That work eventually opened his eyes to carpet poverty. Families were moving into social housing with bare concrete floors, struggling to heat their homes and, in some cases, being prevented from bringing their children home because the property was considered unsafe.Andrew explains how Carpets Like a Boss grew from a shipping container and one local fitter into a warehouse operation with several fitting teams. By working with Mercado, Headlam and other partners, surplus flooring that might otherwise have been discarded is now being used to create warmer, safer and more dignified homes.This is a powerful conversation about mental health, debt, purpose, social value and the role the flooring industry can play in changing lives.Content note: This episode includes discussions about suicide, domestic abuse, addiction and mental health crises.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Andrew’s own mental health breakdown led him towards charity work.Why debt and financial insecurity can have such a serious effect on mental health.What carpet poverty looks like inside homes across the UK.How bare floors can affect warmth, safety, dignity and social isolation.The story that first made Andrew realise how urgently families needed flooring.How Carpets Like a Boss began with a shipping container and one local fitter.How surplus and end-of-line flooring can be redirected into homes that need it.How the project has provided flooring to more than 950 families in Calderdale.Why applicants receive wider support with debt, benefits, budgeting and employment.The real cost of funding carpet fitting, storage and warehouse operations.How flooring helped one young man return home from hospital in time for Christmas.Why Andrew believes support should provide a hand up, not simply a handout.How housing associations could improve tenancies by providing properly finished homes.Andrew’s ambition to create a self-sustaining model that funds more community services.How flooring manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers can support similar projects.Memorable Quote“Can carpets save someone’s life? I say, yeah.”Speaker InformationAndrew Sykes works with the Noah’s Ark Centre in Halifax and is the driving force behind Carpets Like a Boss.After a successful career in financial services, Andrew experienced a serious mental health breakdown. He later used his knowledge of finance to develop debt advice, budgeting, food support, white goods and flooring projects for people experiencing poverty across Calderdale.Carpets Like a Boss works with the flooring industry to redirect usable carpet into the homes of families and individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford it.Where to Find Andrew and Carpets Like a BossCarpets Like a Boss: https://carpetslikeaboss.com/Noah’s Ark Centre: https://www.noahsarkcentre.org.uk/Where to Find The UK Flooring PodcastWebsite: https://theukflooringpodcast.co.uk/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cockerillco6141Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/59DLhGPVKNtVoS656EYtxqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uk-flooring-podcast/id1606720642Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theukflooringpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theukflooringpodcastProduced by Cockerill & Co.
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1. The UK Flooring Podcast - Turn Business Success into Personal Wealth - Harrison Smith
34:33||Season 7, Ep. 1In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom is joined by Harrison Smith, Managing Director of Azalea Wealth Management, for a straight-talking conversation about money, pensions, protection and long-term planning for flooring business owners.A lot of people spend years building a business, growing turnover, managing staff, chasing jobs and solving problems, but never properly turn that hard work into personal wealth. Harrison explains why that happens, what business owners often overlook, and why starting small is usually better than waiting for the “perfect” time.Tom and Harrison discuss why pensions are not just about retirement, but can also be one of the most tax-efficient ways for business owners to take money out of their company for their own future benefit. They also cover the temptation to play the short game, why cash flow still has to come first, and why advice should always fit the circumstances of the business rather than follow a one-size-fits-all approach.The conversation also touches on ISAs, short-term savings, commercial premises, SIPP and SSAS pensions, business protection, insurance, and the common mistake of doing nothing because you are too busy working in the business.This episode is especially relevant if you own a flooring shop, run a fitting business, are building a team, or simply know you should be doing more with the money you are making.In this episode, Tom and Harrison discuss:Why many business owners fail to turn business success into personal wealthHow pensions can help business owners plan for the future in a tax-efficient wayWhy starting with £500 a month can still be a serious first stepThe power of compound growth and why time mattersWhen cash might be more sensible than investingWhy short-term investing can be risky if you need access to the money soonHow ISAs can be used as part of a long-term planBuying commercial premises through pension structures such as SIPP or SSASWhy insurance and protection should not be ignoredThe danger of doing nothing because you are too busyWhy good advice starts with where you are now and where you want to get toA reminder: this episode is for general information only and should not be taken as personal financial advice. Always speak to a qualified adviser about your own circumstances.Guest:Harrison Smith, Managing Director of Azalea Wealth ManagementUseful links:Azalea Wealth Management website:https://www.azaleawm.co.uk/Harrison Smith profile:https://www.azaleawm.co.uk/partner/azaleawmBook a financial planning consultation:https://calendly.com/azaleawm/financial-planning-consultationContact Azalea Wealth Management:https://www.azaleawm.co.uk/contactAdvice for business owners:https://www.azaleawm.co.uk/specialist-advice/business-ownersCorporate services:https://www.azaleawm.co.uk/advice-and-services/corporate-servicesAzalea Wealth Management on LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/company/azalea-wealth-managementHarrison Smith on LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/harrisonsmith3713Azalea Wealth Management on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/azaleawealth/Harrison Smith on VouchedFor:https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/financial-advisor-ifa/hartlepool/067376-harrison-smith
30. 30 in 30 - Episode 30 - The 10 Biggest Lessons for Flooring Businesses
15:57||Season 6, Ep. 30After 30 podcasts in 30 days, Tom wraps up the challenge by looking back at some of the most valuable lessons shared across the series.This episode brings together 10 key takeaways for flooring contractors, retailers and manufacturers, covering everything from growth and showroom strategy to websites, follow-up, service, numbers, AI and family life.Rather than chasing the next shiny idea, Tom breaks down the practical lessons that kept coming up throughout the series, including why growth needs a proper plan, why most businesses are already sitting on more opportunities than they realise, and why the basics are often the hardest part to get right.In this episode, Tom covers:Why growth without systems can cause more problems than it solves.How old quotes, past customers and unsold enquiries could be a hidden gold mine.Why answering the phone, following up and communicating properly still matter.How a showroom should make the customer’s buying journey easier, not more confusing.Why your website should be a living part of your business, not something you build once and forget about.How service can beat price, even in a competitive wholesale environment.Why the money is often in the follow-up, and how CRM systems can help.Why Making Tax Digital could actually help flooring businesses build better financial habits.How AI is already starting to change the flooring industry.Why building a successful flooring business should not come at the cost of your family life.This is a straight-talking round-up of the biggest themes from the 30-day podcast challenge, packed with reminders that flooring business owners can actually use.Whether you run a retail showroom, a contracting business, a wholesale operation or a growing flooring brand, this episode is a useful reminder that the best results often come from getting the fundamentals right.Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.
29. 30 in 30 - Episode 29 - When Growth Becomes the Problem
48:01||Season 6, Ep. 29When Growth Becomes the ProblemIn this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Luke Johnson, better known as Floor Ninja, for an honest conversation about growing a flooring business, losing control of quality, and learning when bigger is not always better.Luke shares how he got into flooring at 15, working with his uncle for £10 a day, before eventually going out on his own, building a strong local reputation, opening a showroom, running multiple vans, and creating what looked from the outside like a successful flooring business.But behind the growth came the pressure. Staff, subcontractors, cash flow, customer expectations, quality control, and a monthly break-even figure that put a huge weight on the business.This episode gets into the reality of scaling a small flooring business, why reputation is only as strong as the people delivering the work, and why Luke eventually made the decision to strip everything back and fall back in love with the trade.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Luke got started in flooring at 15 years old.Why he chose the trade over school and traditional employment.How one flooded town helped him launch his own fitting business.Why small details like hoovering, trimming doors, and leaving jobs tidy helped build his reputation.What happened when he grew from man and van to showroom owner.The hidden pressure of running a business with staff, vans, installers, and high monthly costs.Why finding good fitters and subcontractors became one of his biggest challenges.How quality control can become harder as a flooring business grows.Why Luke made the decision to close his showroom properly, without leaving customers or staff high and dry.How stepping back from growth helped him regain control.Where the Floor Ninja name came from.Why Luke is now focused on quality work, sharing knowledge, and helping other installers improve.Memorable Quote:“Bigger isn’t always better if you lose control of the quality.”Speaker Information:Luke JohnsonFloor NinjaTikTok: Floor NinjaInstagram: Floor Ninja / I Build RenovationsFacebook: Floor Ninja / I Build RenovationsWhere to Find The UK Flooring Podcast:Website: https://theukflooringpodcast.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theukflooringpodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theukflooringpodcast/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/59DLhGPVKNtVoS656EYtxqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uk-flooring-podcast/id1606720642Produced by Cockerill & Co.
28. 30 in 30 - Episode 28 - Stop Running Around and Start Planning Your Flooring Business
12:19||Season 6, Ep. 28In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom records from Manchester ahead of the latest Cockerill & Co client quarterly, where flooring business owners come together to review, reset and plan their next three months.Before heading into a day at the Crystal Maze with clients, Tom shares some of the key questions he asks business owners during the quarterly review process.This episode is a practical one, so grab a pen and paper and take the time to properly think through your answers.Tom covers why flooring business owners need to stop living in the day-to-day chaos, pause for a proper review, and get clear on what really needs to happen next.In this episode:How to review your last three months properlyWhy your wins matter, even the small onesThe decisions you have been putting offWhat you need to start saying no toHow to choose the one project, product or service that needs your focusWhy planning only works when it leads to actionHow small commitments can create big results over timeTom also explains why quarterly planning is not just for big flooring businesses. Whether you are a one-person operation, a retailer with multiple shops, or somewhere in between, the same questions still apply.The results might look different for every business, but the process is the same: review, reset, plan and take action.If you want a copy of the quarterly review sheet, email Tom directly at:Tom@cockerillandco.co.ukHe will share it with you, as long as you are willing to send your answers back so the team can give you some honest feedback.Listen now and start planning the next three months of your flooring business properly.
27. 30 in 30 - Episode 27 - Marketing Doesn’t Cost Money, Bad Marketing Does
15:33||Season 6, Ep. 27In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom takes on one of the biggest mindset shifts flooring business owners need to make: stop seeing marketing as a cost, and start treating it as a measurable route to growth.This is not about throwing money at ads and hoping for the best. It is about knowing your numbers, tracking your leads, understanding your cost per acquisition, and making sure every pound you spend has a job to do.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy marketing spend should not be judged by the monthly budget alone.How to think about cost per lead and cost per customer acquisition.Why Google Ads, Meta, SEO and email all need proper measurement behind them.The danger of vanity metrics like website visits without knowing what people actually clicked.Why flooring businesses need to test, track and review before committing to long contracts.How better follow-up and customer service can make the difference between wasted leads and profitable work.Memorable Quote“Marketing isn’t a cost to the business. It is just a way of getting the growth we want, as long as it’s set up properly.”Speaker InformationTom shares a practical, straight-talking view on how flooring businesses can use marketing properly, especially if they want to grow, scale and create a more predictable flow of enquiries.Where to Find The UK Flooring PodcastWatch or listen to The UK Flooring Podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
26. 30 in 30 - Episode 26 - How to Stop Burnout Before It Breaks Your Business
21:29||Season 6, Ep. 26Tom recorded this episode from the car on the way to Manchester, so forgive the odd bit of background noise. But the message in this one is well worth hearing.As the 30 podcasts in 30 days challenge nears the finish line, Tom reflects on a feeling most self-employed people know too well: reaching the point where you think, “I’ve had enough of this.” Not because you are lazy. Not because you do not care. But because you are tired, overloaded, and running on empty.In this episode, Tom talks honestly about burnout, ADHD, business pressure, phone habits, dopamine hits, morning routines, evening routines, and why looking after yourself is not some nice little extra. It is essential if you want your business, your family life, and your brain to keep moving forward.He shares the simple habits that have helped him avoid getting back to that point, including keeping the phone out of the bedroom, starting the day with intention, planning the most important tasks first, protecting your best working hours, switching off properly at night, and even taking no-phone holidays.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy so many business owners regularly feel like quitting, even when they are still showing up and doing the work.How phone use, emails, scrolling and constant notifications can keep your brain stuck in a cycle of looking for the next hit.Why the way you start your day can shape how focused, calm and productive you feel for the rest of it.How Tom structures his mornings to get his best work done before meetings, calls and distractions take over.Why finishing your day properly matters, especially if you are trying to be present with your family instead of half-watching TV while checking your phone.The value of creating proper recovery time for your brain, including business detox weekends and no-phone holidays.Why looking after yourself is not selfish when you run a business. It is part of keeping the business healthy.Memorable Quote“If you operate in burnout, your business will not move forward anywhere near as quick as when you take a bit of accountability and look after you.”Speaker InformationTom Cockerill is the co-founder of Cockerill & Co and host of The UK Flooring Podcast. Through the podcast, events, training and the Cockerill & Co community, Tom works with flooring retailers and contractors to help them improve their businesses, their confidence, and the way they plan for the future.In this episode, he shares a personal and practical message for anyone who feels like they are constantly pushing through, but never properly recovering.Where to Find The UK Flooring PodcastListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6uzIAmYAKCv0B3TKu0rJzdListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-uk-flooring-podcast/id1602508915Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CockerillandCoFind out more about Cockerill & Co: https://www.cockerillandco.co.uk/