80 Years of Michael John Flooring: David Preston
As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, we're catching up with some of the people who have helped make Michael John Flooring what it is today. David Preston joined the company back in 1993 straight out of college, and 33 years on is now a Partner in the business. We sat down to talk about the early days, how the trade has changed, and what has kept him here for more than three decades.
The early days
What was your very first day like, and what do you remember most about it?
It was 1993, and I'll never forget it. I fell off the step ladders while I was cleaning the windows and dropped a full bottle of Windowlene. Not the most graceful start, but I was still here the next morning.
How did you end up at Michael John Flooring? Was it planned or did it just happen?
Pure chance, really. I'd just finished college and Simon lived down the road from me. He knocked on my door one day and asked if I fancied a summer job. That was 33 years ago.
What was the business like when you first joined, compared to how it is now?
It was great, though a lot more formal than it is today. We wore suits and addressed every customer as Sir or Madam. Things are a bit more relaxed now, but the principles behind how we treat people are exactly the same.
The job itself
What's the part of the job you still enjoy most after all these years?
The art of selling. It still gives me the same buzz it did on day one.
What's changed the most in flooring since you started?
The products, without question. When I started it was all patterned and coloured carpets. There was no wood, and LVT wasn't even a thing back then. Now we sell more of that than we do carpet.
The people
What keeps people here for so long? What makes it different to work here?
It's simple, really. The relaxed, family atmosphere. It's always been that way and it hasn't changed.
Is there a moment or customer you've never forgotten?
There are a few who stick in the mind, but I'll leave it at that! The famous ones always stay with you though, plenty of Leicester players and managers over the years.
What are your abiding memories of Michael John Molloy?
The main man. The Boss. A wonderful man without a bad bone in his body. He taught us an awful lot, both in business and in life.
Looking back and forward
What are you most proud of when you look back?
How far we've come. The business has always been known for quality workmanship, but I feel we've taken it to another level. When I started, there were four or five retailers in Leicester on a similar footing to us in terms of quality. Honestly, I think we're now the only truly top-quality retailer left.
What does the 80th anniversary mean to you?
I'm immensely proud. I remember our 50th, and that felt like a real achievement, but 80 years is almost unheard of. Here's to the next 80. The future looks very exciting.