The UK Flooring Podcast

Cockerillandco

The UK Flooring Podcast, produced by Cockerill & Co, is on a mission to elevate and unite the flooring industry community. Our aim is to connect every facet of the industry, from retailers and contractors to manufacturers and distributors. Since its debut in January 2022, The UK Flooring Podcast has become a vibrant hub for sharing compelling stories and valuable insights from flooring professionals. We’re passionate about building a strong community and sparking dynamic conversations that not only inspire and inform but also entertain and uplift our listeners.  Join us as we explore the endless possibilities within the flooring world and celebrate the people who make it thrive. If you're interested in being featured on the podcast or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to us. Email: hello@cockerillandco.co.uk Call: +441325952548 Web: www.theukflooringpodcast.co.uk www.cockerillandco.co.uk Instagram @theukflooringpodcast @cockerillandco Facebook @theukflooringpodcast @cockerillandco LinkedIn The UK Flooring Podcast Cockerill & Co Watch On YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 30 in 30 - Episode 8 - Is your business ruining your family life?

    1d ago

    30 in 30 - Episode 8 - Is your business ruining your family life?

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast sits down with Natalie Remington from Remington Flooring for a refreshingly honest chat about family, business, boundaries, and what success actually looks like when you’re trying to build a life, not just a company. Natalie shares how she went from a career in theatre design, working across set, costume, props and creative production, into running Remington Flooring alongside her husband Geoff. What started as helping with invoicing has grown into managing almost everything behind the scenes, from quoting and ordering to bookkeeping, marketing, client visits and business development. A big theme in this episode is work-life balance, especially for family-run flooring businesses. Natalie and Tom get into the pressure to work evenings, weekends and Sundays, and why setting boundaries is not lazy, it is often what makes a business sustainable. They talk honestly about school runs, family time, admin at the kitchen table, and the reality of trying to run a successful business without letting it take over your life. Natalie also opens up about stepping outside her comfort zone, taking part in Make or Break after seeing Geoff complete it, and how that experience helped her realise she could do difficult things, including finally saying yes to coming on the podcast. The episode also touches on Remington Flooring’s future plans, including growing their sanding and refinishing work, investing in proper training and machinery, exploring micro cement, and potentially bringing another apprentice into the business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Natalie moved from theatre design into the flooring industry. What it really looks like to run the back end of a family flooring business. Why working seven days a week is not the only route to success. How boundaries around evenings, weekends and school runs can protect both your business and your family. Why flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of being self-employed. How involving your children in the business can teach them valuable lessons. What Natalie and Geoff got from Make or Break, and why doing hard things can change your confidence. Why Remington Flooring is focusing more on sanding, refinishing and specialist flooring services. What’s next for the business, including micro cement and possible apprenticeship growth. Memorable Quote: “If that’s the price of success, then you can stick it up your arse.” Speaker Information: Natalie Remington is part of Remington Flooring, a family-run flooring business based in Wiltshire. Alongside her husband Geoff, Natalie helps run the business behind the scenes, covering everything from client visits and estimating to ordering, bookkeeping and marketing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  2. 30 in 30 - Episode 7 - AI Will Take My Job With Steve Jones

    1d ago

    30 in 30 - Episode 7 - AI Will Take My Job With Steve Jones

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast sits down with Steve Jones, founder of Billy Bot AI, for a proper deep dive into how artificial intelligence is already changing the flooring industry. Steve has spent 20 years in flooring, running his own flooring business before spending the last year building AI software specifically for flooring companies. In this episode, he explains why AI is no longer just a tool for writing emails or tidying up a bit of copy. Used properly, it can help flooring businesses handle admin, build quotes, manage customer information, create documents, respond to enquiries, and save serious time behind the scenes. Tom and Steve get into the real opportunities, but also the risks. They discuss where AI can help, where human interaction still matters, why customer-facing AI can go wrong, and why businesses that ignore it completely could end up being left behind. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why most flooring businesses are only scratching the surface with AI How AI can help with admin, emails, quotes, documents and customer follow-up Why flooring-specific knowledge matters when using AI tools The difference between basic AI prompts and proper AI systems Why using several disconnected pieces of software can create more problems How AI could become the central “brain” of a flooring business Why customer conversations still need a human touch What happened when Tom used too much automation in a flooring inspections business Why estimators and admin-heavy roles could be the first to change How AI can help businesses become more productive without simply replacing people Why Steve believes flooring businesses that ignore AI will fall behind What Billy Bot AI is, and how it has been built specifically for flooring companies Memorable Quote: “AI should not be used to make you lazy. It should be used to make you more productive.” Speaker Information: Steve Jones is the founder of Billy Bot AI and has worked in the flooring industry for around 20 years. After running his own flooring business, he has spent the last year building AI software designed specifically for flooring companies, using his industry knowledge to help businesses reduce admin, improve quoting, and manage day-to-day operations more efficiently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  3. 30 in 30 - Episode 6 - The Flooring Show Harrogate

    2d ago

    30 in 30 - Episode 6 - The Flooring Show Harrogate

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast is all about The Flooring Show at Harrogate, and why turning up without a plan could mean missing the best opportunities in the room. Tom talks through why trade shows are more than just a day out or a catch-up with familiar faces. With the right approach, they can help flooring businesses build better supplier relationships, discover new products, meet useful people, and come away with ideas that genuinely improve the business. The episode also introduces the new Flooring Forum, a live conversation area at The Flooring Show designed to bring together some of the most interesting voices in the industry. Rather than boring lectures or polished sales pitches, the aim is to create proper conversations around the subjects that matter: cash flow, AI, marketing, pricing, product innovation, competition, and where the flooring market is heading next. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why you should never attend a trade show without a basic plan How to decide who you want to meet before you arrive Why booking appointments with suppliers can make the day far more valuable How The Flooring Show can help you strengthen your industry network Why knowing the right people can help your business move further, faster What the Flooring Forum is, and why it is being introduced at Harrogate The kind of conversations Tom wants to bring to the stage Why the best industry discussions should be honest, useful and far from boring How listeners can suggest topics, guests and questions for the live forum Memorable Quote: “If you want to get something out of a trade show, don’t just turn up and wander around. Go with a plan.” Speaker Information: Tom Cockerill is the co-host of The UK Flooring Podcast and co-founder of Cockerill & Co. Through the podcast, live events and business consultancy, Tom works with flooring retailers, installers and business owners to improve their marketing, systems, sales, pricing and profitability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 min
  4. 30 in 30 - Episode 5 - You're Sitting On A Gold Mine!

    3d ago

    30 in 30 - Episode 5 - You're Sitting On A Gold Mine!

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast is a straight-talking reminder that most flooring businesses are already sitting on untapped profit, and it is not always about chasing more leads. Tom breaks down why so much money gets left on the table through old customer databases, lazy pricing habits, forgotten consumables, missed upsells, and poor follow-up. From sending regular emails to past customers, to checking your margins properly, to offering better options on underlay, door bars, waste removal, faster fitting dates and premium finishes, this episode is packed with practical ideas flooring businesses can use straight away. The message is simple: you do not always need more enquiries to make more money. Sometimes you need to make better use of the customers, jobs and opportunities already in front of you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How your existing customer email list could become one of your most valuable marketing assets Why previous customers are often the easiest people to sell to again How regular newsletters can keep your business memorable without being pushy Why guessing your prices is costing you money The importance of checking material costs, consumables, door bars, screed, DPM, staples and other small items properly How better pricing alone can improve profit without winning more jobs Why upsells should be presented as helpful options, not pushy sales tactics How to offer upgrades on underlay, waste disposal, door bars, borders, stair bindings, finishes and faster turnaround times Why follow-up, Christmas cards, CRM systems and maintenance reminders can keep you front of mind Memorable Quote: “You don’t always need more customers. Sometimes you’re already sitting on the gold mine, you just need to start digging in the right place.” Speaker Information: Tom Cockerill is the co-host of The UK Flooring Podcast and co-founder of Cockerill & Co. Through the podcast, events and business consultancy, Tom helps flooring retailers, installers and business owners improve their systems, pricing, sales, marketing and profitability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
  5. 30 in 30 - Episode 4 -  Growing The Family Flooring Business - James Parfitt

    4d ago

    30 in 30 - Episode 4 - Growing The Family Flooring Business - James Parfitt

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast sits down with James Parfitt from Parfitt’s Carpets & Interiors for a proper family business story spanning more than five decades in the flooring trade. James shares how he accidentally ended up in flooring after originally training as a chef, stepping into the family business when his mum needed help managing fitters, customers, stock, and the day-to-day pressure of running a busy carpet shop. From old-school ordering by phone and fax, to changing the showroom from 150 rolls of stock into a modern presentation space, James talks openly about the decisions that shaped the business, the shift from carpet-heavy sales to hard flooring, adding beds and interiors, and the challenges of planning for the next generation. There’s also a powerful conversation about training, succession, family names in business, sobriety, and the lessons James wishes he had learned earlier. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How James went from chef to flooring retailer almost by accident. What it was like joining the family business during a difficult period. Why Parfitt’s moved away from carrying huge stock levels. How the showroom evolved from rolls of carpet to a more modern interiors space. Why beds became a useful add-on alongside flooring. How the business shifted from around 80% carpet to more hard flooring. Why James believes fitter training should have happened much earlier. The challenges of managing accounts, wages, and back-office systems. Why business owners should think carefully before naming a company after themselves. How James is preparing his son Luke to potentially take over the business. Why James thinks training, at every stage of your career, never really stops. Memorable Quote: “You’re never too old to learn.” Speaker Information: James Parfitt is part of Parfitt’s Carpets & Interiors, a long-established family flooring business based in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire. The business has been running for 57 years and has evolved from a traditional carpet shop into a flooring and interiors showroom, offering carpets, hard flooring, beds, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  6. 30 in 30 - Episode 3 - Make or Break

    5d ago

    30 in 30 - Episode 3 - Make or Break

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast is a very different one, as Tom Cockerill talks through one of his biggest passion projects: Make Or Break. For nearly eight years, Tom has been running Make Or Break as an immersive course designed to push people past the limits they have built in their own heads. It is not a standard business course, and it is not about sitting in a room taking notes. It is about perception, performance, mindset, pressure, honesty, and proving to yourself that you are capable of more than you think. Tom shares how his own experience on a similar course changed the way he showed up at home, at work, and in life. He also explains why Make Or Break is deliberately secretive, why attendees sign an NDA, and why the real value often comes from uncomfortable conversations, hard questions, and situations that force people to act differently. This episode also touches on Make Or Break 2, a higher-level experience created for long-standing clients who had already been through the first course. Tom explains how little information was given before the event, why trust in the process matters, and what happened when those clients were pushed to their limit and beyond. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Tom created Make Or Break after experiencing a similar course himself. How limiting beliefs can hold people back in business, work, family life, and confidence. Why uncomfortable situations can change your perception of what is possible. How Make Or Break is designed to improve performance, mindset, and personal standards. Why Tom believes the biggest limiting factor in most people’s progress is themselves. How Make Or Break 2 pushed long-standing clients even further. Why the course is kept secretive, invitation-led, and protected by an NDA. Memorable Quote: “The only limiting factor is you.” Speaker Information: Tom Cockerill is the co-founder of Cockerill & Co, working with flooring businesses across the UK to help them grow, improve performance, build better systems, and push beyond the limits they have accepted as normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
  7. 30 in 30 - Episode 2 - The Stand Collector

    6d ago

    30 in 30 - Episode 2 - The Stand Collector

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast is episode 2 of Tom’s 30 day podcast challenge, and it might ruffle a few feathers. Tom takes aim at what he calls “stand collecting”, the habit flooring retailers have of filling every spare inch of showroom space with manufacturer stands, sample books and point of sale, often without asking whether it actually helps the business. He breaks down why retail space is too valuable to waste, why customer experience should come before brand clutter, and why flooring retailers need to be much sharper about which products earn their place in the showroom. This is not about removing every brand from your shop. It is about making better decisions, doing proper due diligence, negotiating properly, using your sales data, and being ruthless with anything that has not sold for months. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Tom thinks “stand collecting” is one of the biggest showroom mistakes in flooring How much showroom space can really cost you when you break it down properly Why customer experience often matters more than brand presence How to assess whether a manufacturer stand deserves space in your shop Why retailers should visit manufacturers, meet the team and understand the product properly How to use CRM data and sales history before taking on new ranges Why pricing and margin need to be worked out by your business, not guessed How to negotiate point of sale instead of accepting the first offer Why product positioning inside the showroom makes a difference How to build a better cheap, mid-range and high-end product mix Why products that have not sold in six months should probably be removed Memorable Quote: “If you think you need every single manufacturer, you are sadly wrong.” Speaker Information: Tom is one of the voices behind The UK Flooring Podcast and a director at Cockerill & Co. In this 30 day challenge, he is sharing quick, honest and practical episodes designed to help flooring retailers, contractors and business owners sharpen up the way they run their businesses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  8. 30 Days. 30 Podcasts. Why Tom Is Taking On the Challenge

    Jun 1

    30 Days. 30 Podcasts. Why Tom Is Taking On the Challenge

    This episode of The UK Flooring Podcast marks the start of something a bit different: Tom’s 30 day podcast challenge. After a difficult few months dealing with an ongoing health issue, Tom is setting himself a clear target: one podcast every day for 30 days. Some will be short, some will go deeper, some may include guests, and some will be Tom on his own, talking through the real subjects that flooring business owners are facing right now. This opening episode sets the scene for the challenge, why Tom is doing it, and what listeners can expect over the next month. From earning more while working less, to showroom standards, marketing, pricing, websites, recruitment, getting off the tools, the National Flooring Awards and more, this series is designed to give flooring retailers, fitters and business owners practical ideas they can keep coming back to. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Tom has decided to take on a 30 day podcast challenge How 30 and 90 day sprints can help create focus and momentum Some of the key topics coming up across the series Why standards, mindset and personal performance matter in business The problem with “stand collecting” in flooring showrooms Why pricing, marketing, websites and recruitment will all be covered How listeners can get involved by suggesting topics or joining the conversation Memorable Quote: “I’m just going to go for it. I’m going to produce 30 in 30 days, get them out and get gone.” Speaker Information: Tom is one of the voices behind The UK Flooring Podcast and a director at Cockerill & Co. Across this 30 day challenge, he’ll be sharing straight-talking advice, personal experience and practical ideas for flooring businesses that want to improve, grow and think differently. Where to Find The UK Flooring Podcast: Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/59DLhGPVKNtVoS656EYtxq?si=1d8ec03552a94a3c Listen on Apple Podcasts: [Insert Apple Podcasts link] Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cockerillco6141 Follow The UK Flooring Podcast on social media for new episodes, clips and updates throughout the 30 day challenge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 min

Ratings & Reviews

About

The UK Flooring Podcast, produced by Cockerill & Co, is on a mission to elevate and unite the flooring industry community. Our aim is to connect every facet of the industry, from retailers and contractors to manufacturers and distributors. Since its debut in January 2022, The UK Flooring Podcast has become a vibrant hub for sharing compelling stories and valuable insights from flooring professionals. We’re passionate about building a strong community and sparking dynamic conversations that not only inspire and inform but also entertain and uplift our listeners.  Join us as we explore the endless possibilities within the flooring world and celebrate the people who make it thrive. If you're interested in being featured on the podcast or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to us. Email: hello@cockerillandco.co.uk Call: +441325952548 Web: www.theukflooringpodcast.co.uk www.cockerillandco.co.uk Instagram @theukflooringpodcast @cockerillandco Facebook @theukflooringpodcast @cockerillandco LinkedIn The UK Flooring Podcast Cockerill & Co Watch On YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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