This small business owner found big-city success with a small-town vibe.
Name: Dave Griggs
Business: Dave Griggs Flooring America
Employees: 15
Location: Columbia, Missouri
What makes Missouri a good place to do business?
We are extremely fortunate to be doing business in Columbia. Columbia is the home of the University of Missouri and is a “little city with big city attributes.” We have major college athletic programs, SEC football and basketball, tons of quality entertainment options, one of the best hiking and biking trail systems in the U.S., a low cost of living and numerous recognitions as a great place to work, live, play and retire. Missouri is a fiscally conservative state and one of the few that has a balanced budget. Our taxes are fairly low and our government officials overall are very pro business.
What about Missouri isn’t conducive to small business?
Several parts of Missouri are shrinking in population, which has had a major impact on many small businesses. Our state economy has not yet totally recovered from the Great Recession and fiscal crisis. We are, however, well on the road to recovery in my opinion, and Columbia is rapidly becoming the startup capital of the central U.S.
What advice would you give to other small business owners?
I’d offer two thoughts. First, you must offer a compelling competitive advantage for customers to choose to do business with you and your company. Secondly, business is all about relationships. That’s what separates smaller hometown business from the big national companies. People want to do business with people they know and trust. It’s about building relationships with your customers, taking great care of them, always saying thank you while being reasonably competitive in your market.
What has surprised you about running your own business?
Operating a small business is truly a 24/7 responsibility. That can be extremely stressful at times and family support is an absolute must. You also need to be on your sales game 24/7 as you never know when the next opportunity will spring up. Most importantly you must build a great team of associates in your business. One of the hardest lessons of all is that you can’t do it all yourself.
What’s the most satisfying part of owning the business?
I am truly honored to have helped build a business based on repeat customers. Many of our current customers have done several projects with us over the last 40 years and we are especially honored when longtime customers bring their sons, daughters or now even their grandchildren to our store to purchase flooring for their home or business. Additionally, I am very committed to serve on boards and commissions that help improve our community. Giving back time and talent is something I’m very proud of being able to do.
