Creative Floors

Jody Kindy knew what career he wanted to pursue even before he began high school. Jody’s dad, Joe, opened Creative Carpet in Benton in 1984 after more than a decade of installing flooring.

 The younger Kindy helped his dad in a variety of ways, and upon graduating from Benton High School in 1989, went to work with him at Creative Carpet, now known as Creative Floors.

 “I basically grew up in the business, and I spent several summers helping him, so by the time I was in eighth grade, I decided I was going to work with him,” Jody said. “I never regret not going to college. There isn’t anything in those four years I would have learned that I didn’t learn from him while working on the job.” 

 The father and son are joined by longtime office manager Linda Gaydon as the only in-store employees. Jody said he’s enjoyed working with his dad in a locally-owned and operated business that has been in the same locations for 35 years.

 “It’s been great,” Jody said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else or working with anyone else. Linda has been great, too.”

When Joe opened the showroom, where the business remains housed today, new homes were 80% carpeted and 20% vinyl, Jody explained. As time wore on, builders progressively used more flooring options, and five years ago the Kindys renamed their business Creative Floors.

 The store now features an expansive showroom that includes a variety of flooring products from carpet to hardwood, supported by a range of flooring options matching your style to your budget. The store also offers an array of tile for showers and backsplashes. “We have so many flooring options and can do commercial and residential jobs,” Kindy said. 

 “We have been working with the same installers for several years, and they have the same high standards we do,” Jody said. “We stress quality customer service, and so do they. We rarely have something go wrong, but if we do, we fix it immediately. If there is a little wrinkle in the carpet or something, our installers will go fix it.”

It’s because of that customer service that the Kindys haven’t had to do much advertising over the years. 

 “We get most of our business from word-of-mouth recommendations,” Jody said. “So many customers have had good experiences with us that they tell their friends and family. That has helped us a lot. We put a 100 percent emphasis on customer service.”

 That is one of Jody’s tips for those who are buying flooring. He highly recommends a referral from a customer who has used that company’s services before. 

 “Whether it is flooring or anything, you should talk to someone who has used that business and can give you a review,” he said. “That is how we get so much business, because people have been happy with our service and they tell others. I think that is just so important because someone’s experience is going to tell you so much about the products and service that company provides. 

 “Another tip is taking samples of the flooring to your home to ensure you will like how it looks and blends in.

“I think some of the big box stores make you buy those samples. But we don’t,” Jody said. “We want the customer to be fully satisfied, and that means taking a sample home and making sure that you buy the right product.

“And one more tip. Not all customers know that Creative Flooring installs many tile backsplashes and showers.” Jody wants those who are unhappy with their bathrooms to know that his installers can easily perform a shower “makeover.”

 “It doesn’t really matter what kind of shower you have now; we can come in and really improve it,” he said. “If you want to change but you aren’t sure if something can be done, come look at what we have, and we can help make it look more modern or whatever you need.”

 Since he got an early start, Jody is approaching four decades in the business, and he doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon. 

“I made a great decision to do this, and I have enjoyed it all of these years,” Jody said. “I still enjoy it and the customers, and I know I am going to keep wanting to work as long as I can because this is all I ever really wanted to do.”

 Creative Floors has a wide selection of the highest quality products that can put the perfect finishing touch on any room. For more information, visit Creative Floors at 2619 Military Rd. (Ste. A) in Benton or call at 501-315-5252.