What started as a small flooring shop in Ryde more than 20 years ago has grown into a family business with stores across Sydney and plans to expand into the Northern Beaches. On this episode of The Underlay, host Matt White is joined by Michael and Preanka at Carpet Court St Leonards to hear from Vache about growing the business his father-in-law started and earning the referrals that keep it going.

A customer might go 15 or 20 years before they need another floor, but their friends might ask who installed it over dinner that weekend. Vache explains how that shapes the way his team works, from helping customers choose a floor that suits their home and budget to making sure the installation is an experience they'll happily recommend.

The crew also explains why flooring often becomes an afterthought in a renovation, even though a fresh carpet or a lighter plank can change the feel of a whole home. They talk through what Vache sees on the showroom floor, from carpet holding its own in bedrooms to vinyl and hybrid gaining ground in living areas, with herringbone and chevron giving homeowners more ways to bring pattern into the mix.

Behind every good flooring job is a skilled installer, and Vache wants more school leavers to see floor laying as a trade worth pursuing. The conversation turns to how retailers and installers rely on each other, and why bringing younger people into the industry matters for the next generation of family businesses.

And because it wouldn't be The Underlay without the Fast Five, Vache backs Gladiator, picks Armenia as his holiday destination and settles the spray-on versus roll-on debate, at least as far as Matt's concerned.

Tune in and follow The Underlay for a new flooring conversation every fortnight.

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What happens when a group of young people get the chance to discover a trade they may never have considered?
In this episode of The Underlay, Matt and Michael are in Melbourne for a hands-on flooring experience designed to open doors and show students what a future in the industry could look like.

Hosted at Clever Choice's Melbourne facility, the two-day program brings together students from Saints College, the Flooring Covering Industry Association (FCIA), Clever Choice and industry partner RLA Polymers. Students get on the tools and try a range of practical skills, including floor preparation, self-levelling, ramping, carpet work, and vinyl welding.

Matt and Michael are joined by Fiona from the FCIA, who explains how the initiative came together and why giving young people a chance to experience flooring first-hand can make such a difference. They discuss the many pathways available, from apprenticeships and installation to sales, warehousing, design and other roles across the industry.

Students Olivia and Dillinger share their program experiences, what they enjoyed, and how Saints College has supported them in exploring their futures. Olivia talks about her interest in hands-on work, while Dillinger asks about the possibility of a flooring apprenticeship.

The conversation continues with Adam, Director of Teaching and Learning at Saints College's Sunshine campus. He shares how the school's flexible approach puts student wellbeing, individual needs and career pathways at the centre of learning.

Fiona also gives us a look ahead at plans for Floortec 2027, the FCIA's 10-year anniversary celebrations and mentoring opportunities for apprentices and young professionals.

This episode reminds us that one introduction, one opportunity, and one person willing to help can make a difference. If you’re an installer, retailer, contractor or flooring business, consider how you could support work experience, mentoring or the next generation of flooring professionals.

🎧 Listen now and help us show young people that flooring isn’t boring!

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Great flooring starts before the first board is laid. In this episode of The Underlay, host Matt sits down in Sydney with Clever Choice General Manager Michael Roberts and team member Preanka Hasan to explore how architectural thinking, technical knowledge and collaboration come together to deliver better commercial flooring outcomes.

A qualified architect who studied at Bauhaus University in Germany, Preanka shares her journey from European design inspiration to Australia’s building products industry. Her passion for architecture remains central to her work, helping architects, designers, builders and contractors turn their vision into practical flooring solutions.

Together, Michael and Preanka unpack why commercial flooring involves more than choosing a colour. From slip resistance and fire ratings to acoustics, sustainability requirements, floor heights and installation methods, every project brings its own challenges. By combining design insight with product and installation expertise, the team asks the right questions from the start.

The conversation also explores what happens behind the scenes. Stock availability, warehouse coordination and responsive project management can make a difference when construction schedules change. Michael and Preanka explain how Clever Choice approaches complete flooring systems, including subfloor preparation, moisture barriers, adhesives and matching trims, with compatibility and performance guiding the process.

The article also looks at maintaining consistent colour schemes across different flooring types when specifications change, plus the creative possibilities of Designer's Choice. Think distinctive parquetry patterns, custom designs and decorative inlays that give a space its own personality.

Whether you are specifying a school, planning an office fit-out, or creating a luxury residence, this episode looks at the people and processes behind commercial flooring.

Listen now, share this episode with your project team and connect with Clever Choice to discuss your next flooring challenge.
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