Meet Glenn Kraemer, Commercial Flooring Specialist

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Glenn Kraemer, Commercial Flooring Specialist at Creative Carpet & Flooring in Mokena, Illinois

Q:  What is your current role/occupation?

A:  I’m a Commercial Flooring Specialist, which keeps me pretty busy with businesses, contractors, and commercial projects. But I still love helping out friends, family, and referrals with their homes. There’s something special about residential work that I don’t want to give up. So yeah, commercial is what I focus on, but I’ll always make time for the residential side too.

Q:  What was your first job?

A:  Palos Heights Pool. I scrubbed locker rooms and the pool deck. And I loved it! Sounds unglamorous, but there was something satisfying about seeing immediate results. Dirty tiles became clean, the deck sparkled, and people appreciated having a nice facility. Plus, it was summer work at a pool, so the vibe was always good. It taught me to take pride in whatever job you’re doing, no matter how humble. Those lessons stuck with me.

Q:  What motivates you to work for Creative Carpet & Flooring?

A:  The opportunity to be competitive is great, but honestly, it’s the professionalism here that really keeps me going. Everyone from the office to the warehouse takes their work seriously and treats customers with respect. When you’re in a place where that’s just how things are done, it makes you want to bring your best every single day. That’s what keeps me motivated.

Q:  What silly accomplishment are you most proud of?

A:  Being named “Member of the Year” for The Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Illinois, twice in the past few years. Now, you might not think that’s silly, but when there are 15,000 members, and they picked me twice, it feels surreal. I’m just doing what I believe in and trying to support veterans and active service members. But to be recognized like that, twice, is pretty incredible. I call it “silly” because I’m humble about it, but honestly, it’s one of my proudest accomplishments. It means I’m making a real difference in something that matters deeply to me.

Q:  Is there anything you have noticed about our leadership team that stands out to you?

A:  The bosses don’t act like they own the place, even though they do. The Bouquet Family works right alongside everyone else. They’re not sitting in an office somewhere. They’re in it with us, dealing with the same stuff we deal with. That kind of leadership gets respect, and you can see it in how smoothly everything runs here.

Q:  Where is your hometown?

A:  Born in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, but raised in Palos Heights from 1st grade on. So while I can claim Chicago as my birthplace, Palos Heights is really where I grew up. Great community. Suburban enough to have that neighborhood feel but close enough to the city to enjoy everything Chicago offers. Growing up there gave me the best of both worlds. I’ve got deep connections there, lots of memories. It’s still home in many ways.

Q:  What is your favorite flooring?

Engineered Floors’ Cascade in Provincial Oak

A: Engineered Floors’ Cascade glue-down LVP. This stuff sells itself. It looks great, it’s versatile, and the price is right. I’ve put it in medical offices, restaurants, basements, and probably a dozen American Legion halls. It holds up in high-traffic commercial spaces but looks good enough for homes, too. When I need the best bang for the buck, this is what I recommend. Clients love it, installers like working with it, and it lasts. What else do you need?

Q:  What flooring do you currently have in your home?

COREtec’s Plus XL in Montrose Oak

A: CoreTec Plus XL in Montrose Oak. I practice what I preach. It’s throughout my whole house, except for two bedrooms with carpet. The large plank format looks really high-end, and the color is beautiful. Everyone who comes over compliments it. Plus, it’s super easy to clean, which is huge when you’re busy. One warning: you need felt pads on every chair and table leg, or you’ll get dents and scratches. LVP is tough but not indestructible. Overall, though, I love living with this floor every day.