Joshua Crossman, Owner, PTL Hardwood Floors LLC 

I started in flooring back in 1999. I was 20 years old and wanted to find a different career. I had been working in fast food for a few years. I applied at different places for different things with no real goal or idea of what I wanted to do. I was hired on as an apprentice at a hardwood flooring company installing and refinishing hardwood floors.  

It took a few years before I was really hooked, and then in 2004, we decided to part ways and I started my own company specializing in hardwood flooring. In 2019, I bought a building because I am getting older and realized that I can’t be installing forever. It’s time to start transitioning to the next phase of life.  

We are located in a small city, where I grew up, that doesn’t have a store dedicated to floor covering, so I decided to expand my services to include other floor coverings such as carpet, laminate, LVP, etc.  

I love the trade. It’s a good trade to be in as it’s honest work and everyone with a house needs floor covering, so we have great job security. Floor covering is always in demand, so there is a great need for people to install that flooring. It takes skill to install a floor correctly and have it look good. It’s also a young person’s trade as the work is physically hard. That’s why it’s important to get young people involved early in their life rather than later.  

The homeowner’s appreciation and excitement for a new floor makes it all worth it. Also, the pay is good if you provide great service.  

I have nine kids and after a few of them were old enough, they gave it a go but weren’t interested. I have a handful more to try out, so I hope to see a few of them carry the torch that I lit so many years ago. In the meantime, I’m always looking for young bucks wanting to learn a trade.  

If we don’t pass on the skills to install a floor correctly and with pride, I don’t know what chain reaction that will cause. It won’t be a good result in the years to come. I love what I do, and I have a desire to help others learn to love it as well. 

For more information, visit ptlhardwoodfloors.com.