Raymond & Julie: A Fresh Start, a Strong Store, and a Legacy Ready for the Next Owner

In business, the “right time” doesn’t always arrive wrapped in perfect conditions. Sometimes it turns up in the middle of a recession, when you’ve taken a hit, you’re tired, and the safest option would be to keep your head down. For Raymond and Julie, that moment arrived as an opportunity to step into Flooring Design Kapiti, and to build something lasting inside a franchise system that offered structure, support, and momentum.

At the time, they were already working in the flooring industry, running another flooring store in Hastings during the last recession. When Flooring Design Founder – Tony Yeoman mentioned a Flooring Design store in Kāpiti that needed an owner/operator, they leaned into a simple, practical mindset: why not give it a go? It was a decision shaped by experience, determination, and the desire to create a new chapter through business ownership.

They took ownership in March 2010. What stood out immediately wasn’t only the brand, but the people behind it. Raymond recalls Tony’s optimism and belief that the business could be a genuine “money maker.” Julie remembers something equally important: knowing they would have backup and advice on how to operate, rather than having to solve every challenge alone.

That practical support mattered, especially early on, when the pressure is high and the to-do list never ends. From help in the accounts function, including support with paying bills, to the straight-talking encouragement to get out selling, Flooring Design brought structure and clarity. It wasn’t hand-holding; it was the kind of real-world reinforcement that helps owner/operators stay focused on what actually moves the needle.

Over the years, Raymond and Julie also watched the wider Flooring Design network mature. They describe a franchise model that has “grown extensively,” with smart operators buying businesses, sharing ideas, and lifting the capability of the group. That collective learning adds up, not just in brand strength or systems, but in the day-to-day realities of trading: building strong supplier relationships, working out where the best support sits, and sharpening operations over time.

Kapiti itself proved to be a market with real potential. For years, the business built steadily, then COVID arrived and demand surged. Like many New Zealand retailers in home improvement categories, they experienced that “everything exploded” phase and navigated it with the same pragmatism that carried them through earlier, leaner cycles.

More recently, they’ve felt the effects of a tougher economic patch, with slower progress over the last 18 months. Even so, they’ve kept sales on target, a reflection of consistency, customer trust, and the operational discipline they’ve developed.

Ask them what they’re proudest of today and they won’t talk first about product ranges or floor plans. They’ll talk about people. After years of learning what great looks like, “finally finding the right staff” changed everything. They now have a team with excellent knowledge, strong sales skills, and the confidence to close, the kind of team that turns a good local store into a great one.

Professionally, their journey has also been about growth in the ways that matter most: learning to advise customers well, running a business with confidence, and developing the resilience to handle feedback, even when it’s challenging. As Julie puts it, “the customer is always right,” and the learning never stops. Along the way, they’ve valued being part of a network where they can share the highs and lows, and where three-monthly meetings create space for honest, confidential conversation. That sense of belonging, paired with practical accountability, is a major strength of the Flooring Design model.

Now, Raymond and Julie are ready for the next chapter: more time with their grandchildren, more balance, and the satisfaction of handing the reins to someone with fresh energy. They believe the ideal next owner is driven personally and professionally, has solid business skills, and is willing to follow the franchise system. Just as importantly, they point to people skills, the ability to lead staff, build trust with customers, and operate professionally. Flooring knowledge helps, of course, but they’re clear: it isn’t essential, because you learn every day.

Their story lands in a place every franchise recruitment program hopes to highlight, not because it’s glossy, but because it’s real. Raymond and Julie stepped into Flooring Design Kapiti at a challenging time, built a strong store through changing market conditions, and created a business with capable staff, local credibility, and a foundation that’s ready for the next franchisee to take forward with “young eyes” and new ambition.