Floor Coverings International Expands into ​Seattle​ Eastside North

(Seattle, WA)-They’re both known to sparkle, just in different ways. At least that’s one inference to be made when Andrea Hansen says she is “literally trading diamonds and jewelry for flooring” since she and her husband, Chris, launched Floor Coverings International of Seattle - Eastside North in March.

Andrea, 53, was a business strategist and consultant in the diamond and jewelry industries for more than 30 years, often making multiple trips to Europe and Asia each year as well as bi-weekly trips to New York. Chris was a television producer and media trainer for more than three decades traveling frequently as well, though he transitioned to remote work during Covid. Their hectic lives led the couple – who relocated to the Pacific Northwest in 2015 – to look at ways to eliminate some of the craziness.

“We had a desire to transition to a more local lifestyle and that led us to investigate opportunities in franchising,” Andrea said. “When we met the FCI team, it became evident this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

Floor Coverings International of Seattle - Eastside North serves customers throughout Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Woodinville, Mill Creek, and South Everett. Having built a career in marketing luxury goods, Andrea said she finds making the transition to helping discerning clients in the Pacific Northwest invest in the beauty and longevity of their homes a similar experience with the No. 1 flooring franchise in North America.

“I helped some of the world’s biggest luxury brands with their strategic needs and now I’m excited to apply my knowledge of luxury marketing and brand storytelling to the flooring and home improvement space,” Andrea said. “The fact that the entire eastside and north suburbs of Seattle did not have an FCI branch nearby made the opportunity even harder to resist. We not only were able to launch a local business that will keep us closer to home, but we get to offer our own neighbors the best flooring experience in North America. It’s a true win-win.”

Andrea and Chris have been married for 25 years, and though they have collaborated on several projects, this is the first time they have actually been partners in a business. Andrea said her expertise comes from understanding consumer behavior and the psychology of meeting customers’ emotional needs. Chris, who is the primary Design Consultant, is known for his empathy and ability to engage with customers. “People love Chris; his authenticity, knowledge and demeanor,” Andrea said.

As for themselves, Chris said the couple has a sound strategy in place for working alongside each other: “Our secret for the business relationship is very similar to the secret of our successful marriage. We are very good at different things. We know what we know, and we know what we don’t know. So, we plan to let each other shine. And never go to bed mad at each other.”

FCI offers a wide variety of flooring options, including carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile, engineered wood, and vinyl. The Design Associates at Floor Coverings International provide personalized assistance in making selections and the mobile showroom allows clients to see how different options will look with existing furniture, lighting, and paint colors all within the comfort of their home.

“I always hated the big-box store experience, so fractured, lacking in education, consistency and customer service. Ordering dozens of samples online or direct from manufacturers is also very time-consuming, costly, and ultimately frustrating when the samples that arrive in the mail look nothing like the pretty website pictures,” Andrea said. “Once we met the Floor Coverings International team and learned about their ‘service first’ approach and white-glove concierge service centered on their mobile showrooms, we were sold! This is the niche that needed to be filled in flooring!”

The big favorites throughout the system? Pet and kid-friendly floors that clean up with one mopping and look like genuine wood. In the Seattle area favorites are:

• Sustainable materials: Homeowners are turning to laminate flooring crafted from eco-friendly materials such as recycled wood fibers.
• Authentic Wood Look: The demand for realistic-looking wood floors continues to soar.
• Waterproof Performance: Given erratic weather conditions, waterproof laminate floors are hot!
• Vinyl Flooring: As technology advances, vinyl flooring gets close to natural wood and stone looks easily cleaned with a damp mop.
• Carpet: There are still die-hard carpet lovers because of the feeling and look of cozy and warm—it comes in handy in winter. Not so much shag. Much more flat pile and textures and patterned looks are available.
• Engineered Hardwood Flooring: This is the best in luxury flooring offering real wood veneers with remarkably high quality and detail.

Floor Coverings International has already revolutionized the market as it consistently ranks as the No.1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine.

“Floor coverings are now recognized as much more than functional and necessary surfaces. You can tell the story of a room by its floor, and homeowners consider changing flooring when they want to redecorate a room. It’s no longer a once every 30-year purchase” Chris said. “I also love the technological developments across multiple surfaces and materials that make them easy to clean, scratch-resistant and waterproof. Style and function!”

Listening to Andrea and Chris, one gets the impression that they have dotted all the I’s and crossed all the T’s when it comes to launching a new business as married partners. But should they ever hit a speed bump… well, they have a plan for that, too.

“If all of that fails, our office and warehouse is located in the Woodinville Wine Warehouse District, and we are surrounded by more than 100 winery tasting rooms. There is always wine,” Andrea said with a chuckle.

For more information about a consultation go to Floor Coverings International of Seattle - Eastside North.

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About Floor Coverings International

Norcross, GA-based Floor Coverings International ranks consistently as the No. 1 Mobile Flooring Franchise in North America by Entrepreneur Magazine. The 240 franchisees (with 95 more under development) and their Design Associates offer a unique in-home experience with a mobile showroom that comes directly to the client’s door. The company will open several more locations throughout the U.S. and Canada through franchise expansion. For franchise information, please visit www.flooring-franchise.com.