The Sydney tour continues on The Underlay as Matt and Michael head to the Hawkesbury to visit one of Western Sydney's most unique showrooms, Flooring Extra Hawkesbury. Sitting down with store owner Jennifer, this episode quickly becomes far more than a store profile; it turns into a masterclass in flooring, retail, and understanding what customers actually need when choosing a floor.

Jennifer shares her journey from retail salesperson to supplier representative, and finally to opening her own store in 2017 after more than two decades in the industry. Her passion is clear; flooring isn't just a product, it's about solving problems and guiding customers through an overwhelming decision. The conversation dives into what makes her store different, including a strong focus on design, styling and creating a welcoming space where customers can visualise their home, not just pick a colour.

The episode explores real-world issues retailers and homeowners face every day, from lighting affecting colour choice to why the "house picks the floor" to the critical role of subfloor preparation. Jennifer explains how installation quality, proper preparation and realistic expectations matter far more than marketing claims, particularly with modern products like hybrid and floating floors.

Along the way, the team talks trends, why greys are disappearing in favour of warmer tones, the importance of installers, and how warranties actually work. It's honest, educational and full of practical advice for retailers, installers and homeowners alike.

If you want to understand flooring properly, this episode is essential listening.

#TheUnderlayPodcast #FlooringExtraHawkesbury #FlooringIndustry #FloorPrep #HybridFlooring #RetailFlooring #AustralianTrades #InteriorDesign #FlooringEducation #CleverChoiceFlooring

The New South Wales tour rolls on in this episode of The Underlay, with Matt and Michael heading west to Penrith to spend time inside one of the most welcoming flooring stores you'll find anywhere, Flooring Extra Penrith. What unfolds is more than a store visit; it's a story about family, community, loyalty and how a flooring business can become part of the fabric of its local area.

Joined by Tony, Nick and Lisa, the conversation traces the journey from a small, carpet-only operation into a thriving two-level showroom built around hard flooring, service and long-term relationships. Tony shares how he fell into flooring more than a decade ago, why timing and population growth in Western Sydney mattered, and how embracing hard flooring early helped shape the business it is today.

Nick offers a fresh perspective as the next generation in the business, balancing a background in film and technology with estimating, measuring, and customer education. Lisa rounds out the picture, explaining how the family dynamic, repeat clients, and genuine care underpin everything they do, not commissions or quick wins.

The episode also dives into market shifts, from bamboo booms to waterproof planks, changing colour trends, and why darker, richer timber tones are making a comeback. Along the way, there's plenty of laughter, footy talk, jet skis, family banter and a reminder that great flooring businesses are built on trust, not transactions.

This is a warm, honest look at what happens when family values meet flooring expertise, and why local businesses like Flooring Extra Penrith continue to thrive.

#TheUnderlayPodcast #FlooringExtraPenrith #FlooringIndustry #FamilyBusiness #AustralianFlooring #HardFlooring #FlooringRetail #LocalBusiness #WesternSydney #FlooringProfessionals

In this episode of The Underlay, Matt sits down with Clever Choice Flooring Queensland Sales Manager Greg Harvey for a deep dive into one of the most important categories in hard flooring, timber. Recorded in the festive “Christmas studio”, this conversation strips away myths, misconceptions, and outdated thinking around timber floors, replacing them with real-world insight, practical advice, and honest industry experience.

Greg walks through Clever Choice Flooring's newly refreshed timber offering, breaking down the three new ranges, Beauty, Meadows, and Pure, and explaining exactly where each sits in the market. From premium clean-grade boards to rustic, high-feature options and accessible entry-level timbers, the discussion highlights how Clever Choice has closed key gaps in the market without compromising on quality, authenticity or performance.

The episode also tackles the topics that truly matter on the showroom floor: livability, durability, repairability and long-term value. Matt and Greg unpack why timber is far more practical than many consumers believe, how modern UV coatings and finishes have improved wear resistance, and why timber remains one of the most sustainable and future-proof flooring options available.

Installation methods, floating versus direct stick, and the critical role of subfloor preparation are front and centre, reinforcing why education and correct system selection are just as important as the product itself. The conversation concludes with a look ahead to Clever Choice Flooring's 2026 roadmap, including product development, training, and where the broader flooring market is heading.

This is a must-listen episode for retailers, installers and anyone serious about selling timber floors the right way.

#TheUnderlayPodcast #TimberFlooring #CleverChoiceFlooring #FlooringIndustry #AustralianTimber #FlooringEducation #DirectStick #SubfloorPreparation #FlooringProfessionals #HardFlooring