Robinsons Interior began in 1980. Mike Robinson was 30 years old and had just returned from a summer of bumming around Europe, a trip he remembers as “the trip of a lifetime.” It had been wonderful, but now Mike was ready to get back to what he did well, which was to work hard.
Mike wasn’t sure about his career path, so he began a drapery business from his home. He visited customers, designed window treatments, showed fabrics, and contracted with local seamstresses who had emigrated from Japan.
“They really knew how to sew,” says Mike, “The training they got in Japan was exceptional. My customers never completely realized what incredible workmanship they got in those drapes.”
Soon people were asking him to order and install carpets, too. People trusted Mike.
One day, Mike woke up and realized his garage was full of carpet and his spare bedroom was full of draperies. He knew he had to so something. “I went down to Chinatown and rented a space. I started my business with a $35 dollar investment and a handshake with my landlord,” remembers Mike.
Office equipment was sparse. He shared one desk with his secretary, Roberta Milton, who was to remain with the company for 15 years until her passing in 1995. He also had one installer, Danny Boling who was his installer extraordinaire: no one could install faster or better. Danny remains on staff today in quality control.
In 1996, Mike teamed up to become a dealer with CARPET ONE® Flooring & Home. This alliance was critical to ensure the ability of Robinsons Interior to compete with the big box stores. Because CARPET ONE® is a part of CCA Global Partners which is the #1 buyer of all floor covering in the nation, Robinsons Interior has access to deals on quality carpet that is better than the prices big box stores offer.
Today, ROBINSONS INTERIOR CARPET ONE® specializes in floor coverings of all kinds: carpet, wood, tile, vinyl, and laminate. Robinsons regularly competes and successfully wins bids for large commercial projects. The company’s fleet of 15 trucks can be seen on the highways of California from Sacramento to Bakersfield and from San Luis Obispo to Visalia.
The spirit of the company is best summed up in a statement Mike made while talking about life and football: “You play your heart out, even if it’s an away game and you don’t have fans.”
That’s not only Mike’s spirit, it’s also the attitude of his excellent staff. By playing their hearts out, Mike’s $35 dollar investment 27 years ago has grown the company so that it now employs 38 people who sell and install one heck of a lot of floor covering.
That’s playing your heart out!
Residential Customers Contact:
Email: Veronica@RobinsonsCarpetOne.com
Phone: 559.582.2610
Commercial Customers Contact:
Mike Haile
Commercial Sales Manager
Email: MikeH@RobinsonsCarpetOne.com
Mobile: 559.469.3360
