Tammy Bliss is approaching her one-year anniversary as a franchise owner with Floor Coverings International. You can sense the enthusiasm in her words for the future, but also an innate wisdom that she brings with her from an interesting past.

In her former life, Bliss was a supply-chain operations executive for major consumer goods companies such as Coca-Cola, Clorox and Coty, overseeing manufacturing regions and distribution centers.

“I had thousands of employees along with large expense and capital budgets,” Bliss said.

But Bliss always had a desire to own her own business. With her children nearly grown, going through a job change of her own and seeking a change from the demands of the corporate world, Bliss decided she would follow her ambition.

Floor Coverings International is America’s leading in-home design floor coverings brand, offering an unmatched selection of flooring products including carpet, hardwood, ceramic, tile and vinyl, as well as specialty products such as bamboo and slate.

The 52-year-old Bliss, a Cary resident, began calling on customers last February, serving central, west and north Raleigh, as well as parts of Cary and Garner.

Floor Coverings International’s expert Design Associates offer free in-home Design Consultations, visiting customers’ homes in a Mobile Flooring Showroom with thousands of flooring choices to assist them in choosing the perfect flooring solution.

“Home improvement is a passion of mine,” Bliss said. “When other people shop for clothes, I look at home-design ideas. I just think Floor Coverings International is a great business model with products that appeal to everyone. At one time or another everybody needs flooring. It’s one of the largest purchases that people will make on their homes.”

“I became tired of the corporate rat race that just seems to be getting more and more demanding and less able to treat people the way they should be treated,” Bliss said. “I used to be an executive assistant to Muhtar Kent, chairman of The Coca-Cola Company. I’ve traveled all over the world on corporate jets and met presidents and many dignitaries. But now, I’m happy to be creating a business of my own that is going to be great.”

Floor Coverings International not only gives customers innumerable flooring options, it further separates itself from the competition through its customer experience, made up of several simple and integrated steps that exceed customers’ expectations.

“We differentiate ourselves with quality products and a high level of customer service before, during and after the project,” Bliss said. “I was once a production supervisor, first with Frito-Lay and then with Minute Maid. I learned a lot about how to treat people and motivate them. I still use those lessons today.”

Bliss used a business broker, did her own extensive research, talked to and visited about a dozen current franchisees, mystery-shopped the competition and attended a franchise Discovery Day. She also attended numerous small-business seminars conducted by SCORE, a nonprofit organization that provides free mentoring services to entrepreneurs.

“Make sure you do plenty of research with a clear head while listening to your gut. There is too much riding on it to pick the wrong company,” Bliss said. “And I would encourage people to plan for a way to make their dreams happen. I have met a tremendous number of people who say they dream of leaving corporate and becoming their own boss. There is never a ‘perfect’ time, but you do have to have a plan.”