The Underlay - A Clever Choice Podcast

It's a year of change for Clever Choice and 2024 will see the inclusion of 4 new ranges in the Resilient Solutions range. Greg Harvey the QLD State Sales Manager joins Michael and Matt to unpack the range and what it means for the end user. 

Michael and Matt welcome Jim Hilston into the studio to discuss all things wood flooring and what it takes to be an "expert witness" in the flooring industry.Jim's career took off when he served as the Product Manager for timber flooring at Fired Earth Ltd in the UK. His role covered the entire process, from sourcing to the final touches of installing highly sought-after products. This experience sparked his interest in upscale interior solutions, introducing him to innovative flooring designs and finishes far from the ordinary.Leveraging this experience, Jim established Hilston Wood Floors in Australia in 2004. His journey from a hands-on tradesperson to a successful business owner and esteemed flooring specialist has been marked by his dedication to offering exceptional services and products that captivate his clients.Jim is also renowned for his expertise in providing detailed reports and serving as an expert witness in legal matters. With his extensive qualifications and role as a Senior Inspector with the ATFA, along with being an active member of the Building Dispute Practitioners Society, he has contributed to over 1000 reports. These documents range from repair evaluations to comprehensive reports for legal disputes, ensuring accurate and dependable information on flooring performance and aesthetic issues.Check out Hilston Wood Floors on the link belowhttps://hilstonwoodfloors.com.au/

We start 2024 with QLD Sales Manager Greg Harvey as our resident expert. He discusses the Clever Choice Timber Solutions range and along with Michael explains the quality of the products available.We also learn a little too much about what floats Micheals boat and Greg explains why he believes the Bamboo is still the hidden gem of the Clever Choice range.

We kick off the 2024 season with a clip show. Some of the best of our episodes all crammed into one show. We have hand picked nine stories from the 2023 year and all with the same thread, a love of flooring.We hear stories of why people got into the industry, how hard is working with your partner and just how lucky it is to know from a young age exactly what you want to do.Enjoy!

We finish 2023 off with a special episode.With the help of Josh from Marques Flooring at Nerang we had the pleasure of spending some time with Olympic Gold Medallist, Sally Pearson. Sally had recently built her dream home and Marques Flooring supplied and installed her amazing new Clever Choice Flooring. We discussed the renovation process and how she decided that Marques Flooring was the perfect partner for her project.We couldn't spend time with a Gold Medal winner without discussing that amazing moment when she crossed that line in London and all of Australia cheered in unison.It was incredible to have Sally invite us into her home, we hope you enjoy the episode.Merry Xmas from the team at Clever Choice and The Underlay Podcast.To check out Marques Flooring click on the link belowhttps://marquesflooring.com.au/

Gary has spent what seems an age in the flooring industry. A Butcher by trade, Gary changed to flooring and started as a commission-only salesman. Seeing a builder's sign was a business opportunity and Gary, and his didn't miss many chances to forge a long-term relationship with many builders on the Gold Coast.Gary has built a business based on quality service and great products by running his commercial flooring business out of the Specialty Flooring Xtra store in Underwood. Michael and Matt discover who he started, how the commercial side differs from residential and also how the Carnivore diet has changed his life.Check out the store on the link below https://www.flooringxtra.com.au/stores/underwood/

In this episode of The Underlay, Michael and Matt speak with Justin Losinski from Master Floors Group. Having recently moved from Western Australia, Justin ran his own successful flooring company after being born into the industry. Justin will explain the importance of floor preparation and it is the first time we have had a true expert in this area explain the process of levelling your subfloor in preparation for laying your flooring. Master Flooring Group is based out of Yatala on the Gold Coast and comprises Master Floor Preparers an established Floor Preparation company operating since 2004, and Master Floor Coverings established in 2014 to meet the growing flooring needs of the Queensland Construction industry. Master Floors Group allows customers in the construction industry to meet its floor covering and preparation requirements by using a single supplier.For more information click on the link below.https://www.masterfloorsgroup.com.au/

In a change of pace for The Underlay, Matt spends some time with Clever Choice QLD Sales Manager, Greg Harvey, to talk all things Hybrid Shield. Greg will go through "The Story" of Hybrid Shield and why this particular product is taking the industry by stormCheck out the range of Hybrid Shield on the link belowhttps://www.cleverchoice.com.au/hybrid-shield/

Is the latest episode of The Underlay, Michael and Matt have a full ouse with Dean Bonutto from Floorworld South Australia and Ian Walker the Victorian/SA State Manager of Clever Choice joining them. Dean has been in the industry for over 30 years and owns four Floorworld stores in South Australia. With a huge team behind him, he learnt the importance teamwork as a talented young footballer in the SANFL.The lessons learnt on the football field has helped him become one of Floorworld's most successful owners.Check out one of the stores on the link belowhttps://www.floorworld.com.au/store-details/gepps-cross-floorworld

In this episode of "The Underlay" we go interstate. Matt is alone in the Panic Room but Michael and our guest are in Melbourne. Michael is in Melbourne working on some secret Clever business but our guest is as Victorian as it gets. A lifelong St Kilda fan and in the flooring industry for 47 years, Robert Levin from Inner City Floorworld, Abbotsford, has just about seen it all. Still working at 80 years of age his love of flooring may now be debatable but his passion for the industry is as strong as ever.Michael and Matt could have spent hours with Robert as he tells stories of the old days when there were more than 50 carpet merchants to buy from.Check out the Floorworld Inner City store on the link belowhttps://www.floorworld.com.au/store-details/inner-city-floorworld-collingwood

The latest episode of "The Underlay" is a cracker as Michael and Matt chat with Emma Griffiths from CVT Flooring, Lilydale. Located in the gateway to the Yarra Valley, CVT Flooring is a family business that is a one-stop shop for your home remodeling. CVT Flooring was started by Emma's brother and has evolved over time. Emma is an Interior Designer and it was with her input that saw the shop transform from a flooring shop to a whole lot more.Emma is all about giving your home a unique feel and creating an original piece of art that you can be proud of. Her commitment to sustainability is at the forefront of each design she prepares as Emma wants to ensure her clients get the best bang for their buck. If you are looking for a one-stop shop for your home from floor to ceiling, look no further than CVT Flooring, Lilydale, It's located between two microbreweries so at the very worst you can get a cold beer afterward.https://www.cvtflooring.com.au/

In this episode of 'The Underlay" Michael and Matt talk to Julie Stratford from Skills Insight.Skills Insight is a not-for-profit, government funded, industry-led organisation and one of ten Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs). They work with stakeholders who share a passion for improving skills and training across the agribusiness, fibre and furnishings industries."The Underlay" is focused on strengthening the flooring industry through education and training, apprentices are the key to the future of the industry, and with help from people like Julie, the future is bright.Skills Insight, as a Jobs and Skills Council, will carry out research on skill needs, challenges, and solutions with the aim of better understanding ways to develop skilled workers as and where they are needed in our sectors and will facilitate an informed voice of industry on these issues.For more information on Skills Insight please click on the link below.https://skillsinsight.com.au/

In the latest episode of The Underlay, Michael and Matt talk with Clever Choice business partner, Terry Watson from Watson Trade Credit. Terry's business provides Trade Credit Insurance allowing businesses to protect their invoices from non-payment, all forms of administration and insolvency, and even future preference payment demands brought against you.Terry has been working closely with Clever Choice and his service is one of the reasons for Clever's steady growth over the last few years. Sit back and hear about a finance solution that could make your good business great.If you want to hear more about trade credit insurance then check out the website on the link below.http://www.watsontc.com/

For the first time in The Underlay's history we have a guest returning to the Panic Room. Our very first guest on the podcast, Greg Harvey joins Michael and Matt for the second time.The "Rodman" to Michael's "Jordan" (that hurt writing, haha) Greg, in only 18 months with Clever Choice has become an integral member of the team and his knowledge of the industry as a whole is second to none.Settle in as we talk footy, contracts, team work and of course flooring as we hear from the guy on the front line why HYBRID is the most talked about product on the market today.This is the first time on The Underlay that we turn the microscope on Clever Choice ourselves and discover what the "Clever" difference is.Enjoy this episode, as we certainly did having Greg spend some time with us.

For the first time ever we have a guest that is relatively new to the flooring industry. With only two years as the owner of the Andersens Helensvale store you could be mistaken for thinking Jimmy doesn't know his stuff. To think that would be a mistake. The Helensvale store is truly a family business with his wife, two sons and two dogs all involved in the shop. years spent in the hospitality industry primed Jimmy for the service and ethic required to run a successful flooring shop.Michael and Matt will learn what it takes to run a busy flooring business while staying happily married and still finding time for the odd game of golf.It was a pleasure having Jimmy join us and if you are looking for a flooring solution in the Helensvale area, pop in for a chat with Jimmy, he won't dissapoint.

In the latest episode of The Underlay Michael and Matt talk to Clever Choice business Partner, Zee from MGI Accountants. Despite all the rumours to the contrary about accountants Zee is a lot of fun and has a great outlook on accounting. Zee is more than just the Clever Choice accountant, he helps the whole team with strategy and planning but it's his fluency in Mandarin that sees Zee's value rise. With close ties to China it was imperative that Michael not only find a "clever" accountant but one that is bilingual. Zee ticked all the boxes and a year into their relationship both Michale and Zee have developed a deep respect for each others work.

Finally we get the man under the microscope as the host becomes the guest.Michael takes off the host duties and Matt puts him under the spot light. It gets pretty raw in the Panic Room as we discuss Michaels recent change of landscape, having moved from the beach to the bush. We also get an insight into his management strategy and get a great idea why Clever Choice is a successful as it is.We give him the quick fire 5 treatment as we answer the big questions like, Spray on or Roll on??Enjoy learning more about Michael Roberts, Husband, Father, GM, Co Host and all round legend!

Episode 17 - The Underlay Podcast - Fiona WischnewskiFiona Wischnewski is the CEO of the Floor Covering Institute of Australia (FCIA) and using her experience in training and education to take the flooring industry to the next level through skills development and quality assurance programs.FCIA lobbies government & other industry stakeholders on behalf of all members, doing more than any one business or person could do on their own.One of our key roles is ensuring the environmental and economic sustainability of our industry, while continuing to push for innovation and high technical excellence across the industry. Every day, FCIA strives to enhance the reputation of the industry for the benefit of everyone involved.Michael and Fiona are on the same page in regards to training, education and the importance of apprentices and tradesman play in the flooring industry. During this episode they both have some great ideas on how to build the current base of installers to ensure that there is always enough qualified installers to keep laying floors.

Episode 16 - The Underlay Podcast - Bobby LenzWith 25 years experience in the flooring industry Bobby Lenz has seen it all. Now as a franchise owner of Flooring Xtra at Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast of QLD he is using all of his experience to build a great business and offer a service that is unmatched in the area. Starting as an apprentice, Bobby has flooring in his blood and with a passion that is infectious, Flooring Xtra is the place to be when looking for a flooring solution on the Sunshine Coast.Michael and Matt discuss the journey to Franchise owner and his passion for music and endurance sports.If you want to get in contact with Bobby and his team click the link below.https://www.flooringxtra.com.au/birtinya/

In this episode, we say farewell to Ian Gust. A great American who moved himself to Australia to finish his studies and ended up running the internal marketing for Clever Choice. To say that he was an integral part of the machine would be an understatement and he grew to become Michael's, right-hand man. We dig deep into Ian's motivations for moving to Australia and what he plans to do when he lands back in Houston. Thank you for your devotion to Clever Choice and you will be sorely missed.