From discovering a passion for design to navigating a male-dominated field, my journey into the flooring industry has been one of unexpected growth and meaningful connections.
My name is Sam Robinson, I’m 18 years old and I’ve been involved in the flooring industry for almost three years. When I started, I was simply babysitting for my boss and friend [Anna McCortney, operations manager, Ultimate Floors, Akron, Ohio] at the store. Over time, I began helping with small tasks, and in the summer of 2023 I officially joined Ultimate Flooring as an employee through Jobs for Ohio Graduates (JOG). JOG is a job placement program for students, which provided my pay during the eight-week program while the store gave me hands-on work experience. By the end of those eight weeks, I had fallen in love with the work.
Anna and I are passionate about bringing creativity to the next generation of flooring. Whether it’s working with students through JOG or creating fun marketing videos, we’re always exploring new ideas.
I want to encourage others to express their creativity and embrace the opportunities this industry offers. Flooring offers so much—design, manufacturing, installation, sales and more. There’s a world of opportunity here for young people entering the workforce. At Ultimate Flooring, we hope to bring more young people into the industry to help us grow—not just in numbers, but in innovation. Younger generations have fresh insights into technology and trends that could benefit us all. Having more young women in this field would also be incredibly impactful.
Women of the Flooring Business (WOFB), for example, is such a supportive community, and I often turn to the group for advice on products, design trends or even just encouragement when facing challenges. Even when I’m not actively seeking help, I find the stories shared by other women inspiring. As someone new to the industry, working in a male-dominated field can be daunting. WOFB has made it easier to find the support I need to navigate this space and grow.
From an outside perspective, the flooring industry can seem intimidating—especially for young women. But don’t let that deter you. Every career has challenges, and there’s nothing more rewarding than overcoming them.
For any industry to thrive, we need fresh ideas and diverse perspectives. Flooring is no different, and there truly is something here for everyone.
Sam Robinson is the sales and showroom coordinator for Ultimate Flooring in Akron, Ohio. Sam has worked at Ultimate Flooring for two and a half years. She plays a key role in sales, customer relations and showroom management, helping clients find the perfect flooring solutions. Sam and her team have big plans for the future, aiming to modernize and grow the industry in exciting new directions—this is only the beginning.
