The UK Flooring Podcast

When 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.

In 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.

In 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.

Tom 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/

Making Tax Digital might not be the most exciting topic in the world, but for flooring business owners, it is one that cannot be ignored.In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Sarah takes over the show to break down Making Tax Digital in plain English. No jargon, no panic, and no overcomplicated explanations. Just a practical look at what it means, who it affects, and why it could actually help flooring businesses get a better grip on their numbers.Sarah explains why Making Tax Digital is not just another HMRC headache, but a reminder that many businesses need better habits around bookkeeping, cash flow, margins and financial visibility.Rather than leaving everything until January, stuffing receipts in drawers, or handing a carrier bag of paperwork to the accountant once a year, this episode encourages business owners to get organised, use the right software, and start reviewing their numbers regularly.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat Making Tax Digital means in simple terms.Why HMRC wants businesses and self-employed people to keep digital records.How quarterly updates differ from a traditional annual tax return.Why some flooring businesses are panicking about the change.How software like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, Hubdoc and Dext can help.Why bookkeeping should be seen as a management tool, not just a tax chore.The importance of understanding your margins, profit, cash flow and liabilities.Why relying only on your bank balance can give you a false picture of your business.How better financial habits can lead to better business decisions.Why getting organised now is far better than leaving it until the deadline.Memorable Quote“Making Tax Digital isn’t really about tax. It’s about visibility, accountability, better habits, better decisions and ultimately, a better business.”Speaker InformationThis episode is hosted by Sarah from Cockerill & Co, who works closely with flooring businesses to help them understand their numbers, improve their processes and build stronger, more sustainable businesses.Where to Find The UK Flooring PodcastWatch or listen to The UK Flooring Podcast for honest conversations, practical advice and real-world insight for flooring retailers, fitters, contractors and business owners across the industry.Find the podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Pia Honey, founder of No Floor, No More, to hear the incredible story behind a grassroots movement that has now helped thousands of families access flooring and household essentials that would otherwise have gone to landfill.What started with Pia giving away her own unwanted flooring during a home renovation has grown into a much bigger mission: rescuing usable flooring, furniture and household items, then getting them into the homes of people who need them most.Pia talks openly about sustainability, social housing, domestic abuse survivors, families living without basic flooring, and the shocking amount of usable material still being thrown away across the UK. She also shares how the flooring industry, film production companies, housing associations, councils and independent retailers could all play a part in reducing waste while helping local communities.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow one renovation led Pia to discover families living without flooring.Why usable carpets, underlay, carpet tiles and household items should not be going to landfill.How No Floor, No More has helped around 4,000 families.Why flooring can have a huge impact on safety, dignity, wellbeing and self-esteem.How carpet retailers, manufacturers and distributors can support the project with leftover stock, offcuts and unused materials.Why film production companies are now donating props, furnishings and materials instead of throwing them away.The challenges of running a community project without proper funding.Why Pia believes the UK needs more No Floor, No More hubs across the country.How empty warehouses could be used to support local communities while helping property owners reduce costs.Memorable Quote“If you’ve got flooring down, children are safer, homes are warmer, families are happier and people start to feel human again.”Speaker InformationGuest: Pia HoneyOrganisation: No Floor, No MoreMission: Rescuing usable flooring, furniture and household items, then redistributing them to families and individuals in need.Pia is passionate about sustainability, reducing landfill waste and helping people create safe, warm and dignified homes. Her work supports families in social housing, people escaping domestic abuse, those moving on from homelessness, and anyone struggling to afford the basics.Where to Find No Floor, No MoreSearch for No Floor, No More, Pia Honey, or Pia Honey carpets on social media.Where to Find The UK Flooring PodcastListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and watch episodes through the Cockerill & Co YouTube channel.