Welcome to The Underlay, where we uncover the stories shaping the flooring industry. In this episode, we sit down with Gabby and Desmond, the dynamic duo behind Andersens’ marketing success. Together, they offer an insider’s perspective on how Andersens has become a trusted name in flooring. Episode Highlights: The Andersens Brand Identity: Gabby a…

In Part 2 of our Clever Way series, Matt sits again with Michael to discuss how developing a singular handbook has transformed Clever Choice's operation. Simplifying the product offering was a massive step for Clever Choice, a company that prided itself on its diverse product range; it created three distinct product ranges, making the "Clever Choic…

Michael and Matt spend some time at Andersens Head Office in Gatton. The first cab off the rank is the GM of Andersens, Rowan Hodge. This is Rowan's second time on The Underlay, and this time, we discuss leadership and how to build a successful franchise business. This was a great insight into what it takes to build a multi-generational business an…

In our Product Spotlight, Matt sits down with Greg Harvey, the QLD State Sales Manager, to discuss the exciting new product for Clever Choice - the Hybrid Immortal Chevron. First to market, Clever Choice is very excited about this groundbreaking new product. Greg unpacks the features and benefits and explains why the Hybrid Immortal Chevron will ch…

In this inspiring episode of The Underlay, hosts Matt and Michael sit down with Fiona and Helen, the driving forces behind the "Females in Flooring" initiative. Together, they explore the motivations behind this groundbreaking movement and the critical need for greater female participation in the flooring industry. Fiona and Helen share personal st…

As the Melbourne trip drew to a close, we spent some time with the whole Melbourne team in their new warehouse. Together, we reflected on the week that had been, and it gave Matt and Michael a chance to talk further about what they had seen from Clever Choice's service perspective. The journey that Clever Choice is on in Melbourne is an exciting on…

In this episode of The Underlay, we delve into the importance of apprenticeships within the flooring industry and how they shape its future. Joining us are two store owners and their apprentices, offering firsthand insights into the world of mentorship and learning. Fiona, the owner of Coffs Harbour Carpet Court, is accompanied by her apprentice Ka…

On our last store visit on the Melbourne tour, we headed to Ballarat and met Greg and his wife Kim, who owns the Floorworld Ballarat store. Greg has been in the flooring industry since he was a teenager and has been a business owner since the age of 19. it's a full house as Matt is joined by Clever Choice GM Michael Roberts and the latest Clever Sa…

The Melbourne Tour continues as we travel to Lilydale to catch up with an old friend. Emma Griffiths has been on the show before, but this time, we find her preparing for a new adventure with her new business, Elliot Lane. Jackie joins us from Spectrum Curtains and Blinds; she and Emma work closely together to bring a "whole package" mentality to t…

Our Melbourne Tour continues as we chat with Fiona from the FCIA. This is the second time we have spoken to Fiona, and with twelve months between appearances, we have plenty to discuss. Fiona discusses the new "Females in Flooring" initiative and how we can champion females in the Flooring Industry. One of the FCIA's missions is to grow apprentices…

The Underlay goes on tour to Melbourne, and for our first episode, we chat with Matt Hadden from Bayside Floorworld. Matt welcomed us into his store, and with the help of Clever stalwarts Ian Walker and Michael Shnider, we gave Matt the Underlay treatment. Matt is a California native but has made Melbourne his home for the last 23 years and has bee…

Matt sits with Clever Choice GM, Michael Roberts to discuss the brand-new "Clever Way". The last eighteen months have seen a huge change in Clever Choice as a company, and the seventy-eight-page "Clever Way" document is one of the fruits of that change. Over several episodes, the boys will break down "The Clever Way" and explain the ins and outs an…

Matt chats to the QLD State Sales Manager for Clever Choice about the brand new product, "Vinyl 5mm." With some great features and benefits that will make this new product a favourite in retail stores and end users alike, Greg is more than excited about this latest range.Door Resonance Media Agency

In a first for The Underlay, we are holding a "Sales Roundtable". Five of Clever Choice's frontline sales reps and managers join Matt on the podcast to talk about life on the road and their personal journeys with Clever Choice. We get to under the hood of what it takes to manage huge territories and we find out how each territory is unique in its o…

In a first for The Underlay, we go onsite to Kiepe Hair. A Clever Choice customer who has a home hair salon installed a Clever Choice resilient solution, which still looks brand new. Kellie's daughter, Emma, also joins us to make it a family affair. Between the two of them, we find the secret to building a successful business while juggling clients…

Brett Talbot from Floorworld joined Michael and Matt at Clever HQ to discuss all things "Floorworld." The boys discussed the Floorworld model and where. they are heading in the future. Brett is another lifelong member industry with experience across many facets. The relationship between Floorworld and Clever Choice is a burgeoning one, and we are l…

Twelve months ago Matt Lugo decided to make the leap from Installer to Store Owner and now with two Andersens stores under his management, life is busy but a lot fun for the young man. In a similar story to almost everyone we speak to Matt bleeds flooring, straight out of school he entered the industry and hasn't looked back. We are live on-site at…

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.Door Resonance Media Agency

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 instal…

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 Choic…

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 e…

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…

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 qu…

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 are…

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 storm Check out the range of Hybrid Shield on the link below https://www.cleverchoice.com.au/hybr…

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 importa…

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, Abbotsfor…

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…

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 furnishi…

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 again…

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 …

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 involv…

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 …

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…

Episode 17 - The Underlay Podcast - Fiona Wischnewski Fiona 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 …

Episode 16 - The Underlay Podcast - Bobby Lenz With 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, Bobb…

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 movin…

Episode 14 - The Underlay Podcast - Steven and David from BMS Group Insurance is a tricky game and many people don't know whether it's the right decision for them. In this episode, Michael and Matt talk to our resident insurance experts in Steven and David from BMS Insurance. With years of experience in the industry, there aren't many situations be…

Episode 13 - The Underlay Podcast - Madison Grisdale With the economy kicking on there is no better place for Maddison Grisdale to be than in the heart of Brisbane living her dream as an interior designer for Plus Architecture. Every day is different for an Interior Designer and whether it's for a residential or commercial client Maddison must be p…

Episode 12 - The Underlay Podcast This week we chat with Olivia Lazenkas from Flawless Interiors. Olivia has a long history in the flooring industry and is using her knowledge and experience to build a flourishing Interior Design business. She has a showroom at the back of the family Thomastown Floorworld shop and provides a unique service to the c…

Episode 11 - The Underlay Podcast This week Michael and Matt chat with the NSW State Sales Manager, Austin Bunn. Austin is a passionate businessman whose commitment to his customers is second to none. He has many years of experience as a salesman, but his keen business acumen sets him apart. Austin has run many businesses in the past, in fact, he w…

In this episode, Michael and Matt have some female flair in the Panic Room as Cindy and Nicole join the Podcast. Both ladies are long-term employees of Clever Choice and we talk to them about their roles within the business and where they think Clever is headed for 2023 and beyond. The flooring industry historically has been male-dominated and Cind…

For the first show of 2023 we chat to Jake Bowcock from One Global Logistics. As a preferred freight partner of Clever Choice we discuss the global freight challenges faced by not only freight forwarders but import businesses as well. Jake plays a key role in Clever Choice's ability to continue to deliver to the public by ensuring that stock is sit…

Josh Marques spends some time on The Underlay discussing what flooring means to him and his family. Josh was born into flooring, and his father started Marques Flooring back on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. All those years later Marques Flooring is a premier flooring business on The Gold Coast and Josh's passion for flooring is evident. Not only …

Rowan Hodge, CEO of Andersens joins us to discuss the future for Andersens and the synergies that his company has with Clever Choice. From their origins in the Lockyer Valley, QLD, Andersens has built a reputation forged on country towns values and service. With franchises in Brisbane and Sydney and opportunities in Victoria, Tasmania and Perth the…

Floor It Logictics is a bespoke flooring installation company that provides an installation service like no other available in the Brisbane area. A fully trained carpenter, Phil has years of experience in the industry and the boys peel back the layers to get to the heart and soul of Phil's business. Along the way they also discover he's more than j…

Michael and Matt chat to Ian Walker and discover how looking after 3 states is a dream come true. Ian has over 14 years experience in the flooring industry with the last 8 being with Clever Choice. During that time he has seen a lot of change but he thinks the changes that Clever have made to their systems, makes Clever Choice the perfect solution.…

Michael and Matt spend some time with Randy from ATFA and discover the good work they have been doing in the industry. The ATFA, Australasian Timber Flooring Association is the peak body for timber floors and those in pursuit of a beautiful, durable surface. They represent contractors, manufacturers or suppliers to this industry throughout Australi…

Clever Choice Flooring and Straight Up Digital are a match made in heaven. SUD is the marketing arm of the flooring business and has taken the Clever Choice to the next level with the "Agency as a Service" model. Matt also hosted Michael at his home to discuss what flooring solution would work best for his family.…

Doug Hawkins from Pancare Australia joins the show and discusses the role that they play with people living with upper GI cancers. Pancare Australia has a great partnership with Floorworld and they are more than just a charity partner. Doug explains the strategic business relationship that they have built to ensure the long term success of the char…