William Smith
Community Editor
Rheinschmidt's Flooring America co-owner Michelle Russell was recently featured in an issue of Floor Covering Weekly – a national trade publication.
In the article, Russell recalls that she was working in healthcare when she met her now-business partner Jim Rheinschmidt while caring for his mother. The relationship she built there ended up paving the way for a 29-year (and counting) career in the flooring industry.
“It goes to show how building relationships is really what this industry is about,” she said in the Floor Covering Weekly article. “We built a relationship because the company I worked for took care of his mom, he liked me and so he took a chance and said, ‘Come work for me.’ Now, I own 75 percent of the company.”
While Russell didn’t come into the industry armed with knowledge about flooring, she learned on the job, took community college courses on graphic engineering and design, and became a design consultant.
“I came in and I instantly loved it,” she said.
In addition to her experience in healthcare, Russell also worked in restaurants and hospitality for more than a decade.
“I knew a lot of people in the community. I knew I loved being around people and working with people,” she said.
Jim Rheinschmidt had nothing but praise for Russell when asked why she’s such an asset to the business. He said they share similar thoughts on ways of doing business.
“She’s been very valuable to the business because of her honesty and her trustworthiness,” he said.