30 in 30 - Episode 14 - Getting Off the Tools Saved My Business

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Dean Smith, owner of DCS Flooring Limited, for an honest conversation about growing a commercial flooring business, stepping away from the tools and finding a better balance between work and family life.Dean shares how he followed his dad into flooring after leaving college, before choosing a different route and building a business focused mainly on commercial projects.However, years of fitting demanding floors during the day, quoting at night and carrying the pressure of running a business began to take its toll. Dean found himself physically exhausted, struggling to make the numbers work and bringing the stress of the business home with him.That pressure eventually contributed to the breakdown of his relationship and forced him to reconsider what he wanted from his business and his life.Dean explains how taking on more fitters and coming off the tools helped him regain control. Although the transition was difficult, and the work initially struggled to catch up with the size of the team, it allowed him to focus on winning projects, managing the business and spending more time with his children.The conversation also explores the realities of managing employees, staying organised, using AI and automation, and why business owners can become so focused on systems that they forget the basic task of bringing new work through the door.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Dean progressed from working alongside his dad to running DCS Flooring LimitedWhy he chose commercial flooring instead of following his dad into domestic retailThe physical and emotional impact of fitting floors while trying to run a businessHow business pressure affected Dean’s relationship and family lifeWhy working harder did not necessarily mean making more moneyThe challenges of employing people before the workload has caught upWhy getting off the tools became a major turning pointHow Dean keeps his team happy through fairness, good pay and sensible working hoursWhy every employee is motivated by something differentHow early mornings help Dean complete his most important workWhy enjoying your job is often a choice rather than something that simply happensHow Dean uses ChatGPT, CRM systems and an AI receptionist in the businessThe risks of automating too much of the customer journeyWhy systems and processes can become a distraction from salesDean’s plans to grow the company without losing the freedom he has createdMemorable Quote“We can all go to work and earn money, but ultimately you need to go to work and enjoy yourself.”Speaker InformationDean Smith is the owner of DCS Flooring Limited, a commercial flooring contractor based in Leicestershire.After spending much of his career fitting floors himself, Dean is now focused on growing his team, improving the company’s systems and building a business that gives him more control, freedom and time with his family.Follow DCS Flooring Limited on Instagram:@dcsflooringltdVisit the DCS Flooring website:www.dcsflooringltd.co.ukWhere to Find The UK Flooring PodcastListen to The UK Flooring Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or watch the latest episodes through the Cockerill & Co YouTube channel.Follow The UK Flooring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn for new episodes, clips and conversations from across the flooring industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.