Meet Tim Kelliher, Commercial Flooring Specialist

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Tim Kelliher, Commercial Flooring Specialist at Creative Carpet & Flooring in Mokena, Illinois

Q: If someone wanted to enter your field, what advice would you give them?

A: If someone wanted to enter this field, my advice would be to spend time on jobsites during the installation process, especially at the beginning of your career. Witnessing firsthand how installations are completed gives you invaluable insight into how the end result is achieved. This hands-on exposure helps you understand the technical aspects of flooring installation, the challenges installers face, the quality standards that matter, and how different products perform in real-world applications. This foundational knowledge will make you much more effective in your role because you’ll truly understand the entire process from start to finish, which ultimately helps you better serve customers and communicate more effectively with both clients and installation teams.

Q: What was your first job?

A: My first job was selling newspapers, and one of my biggest memories from that time was the day Elvis Presley died. I was only 6 years old, and I was with my neighbor, who was 8, selling the afternoon edition of the Sun Times at Western Electric in Cicero. The demand was incredible. All the papers sold out in just 10 minutes, and the workers getting off their shifts were so eager to read the news that they were literally throwing money on the ground and grabbing papers. It was an unforgettable experience for such a young kid. That early introduction to sales eventually led me to get my own route delivering the Cicero Life newspaper, which taught me responsibility and work ethic at a very young age.

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

A: One thing that really stands out to me about our leadership team is that I genuinely feel like I am working together with them rather than simply working for them. This collaborative approach creates a sense of partnership and mutual respect that makes a significant difference in how I approach my work. The leadership team’s inclusive style fosters an environment where everyone’s input is valued, and it feels like we’re all working toward shared goals as a united team rather than operating within a traditional top-down hierarchy.

Q: What do you like to do to unwind?

A: To unwind, I enjoy going for walks or watching a movie. These activities help me relax and clear my mind after a busy day. Walking gives me a chance to get some fresh air and decompress, while watching a movie allows me to escape into a good story and take a mental break from work.

Q: Why did you join Creative Carpet & Flooring?

A: I decided to join Creative Carpet & Flooring because of the company’s outstanding reputation that I had heard about for years through Brian Berson and various industry representatives. Mark and I had been in contact annually for about five years, though we had only spoken over the phone during that time. When we finally met in person for breakfast, it took less than five minutes for me to realize that Creative was where I wanted to be. The company’s values, culture, and vision aligned perfectly with what I was looking for in my career, and I knew immediately that I wanted to become part of the team.

Q: Where is your hometown?

A: I grew up in Cicero, Illinois, and spent the majority of my younger years at the Cicero Boys Club playing basketball. Those formative years at the Boys Club were a significant part of my childhood, providing me with a place to stay active, develop my skills, and build lasting friendships through sports.

Q:  What is your favorite flooring?

Karndean’s Van Gogh in Light Country Oak

A: My favorite flooring is Karndean Van Gogh in the Light Country Oak color. This luxury vinyl plank is exceptionally durable and looks absolutely beautiful when installed in large areas, where the light oak tones really shine and create a stunning visual impact. I also appreciate that Karndean specializes exclusively in vinyl plank flooring, which means their focus and expertise are dedicated entirely to perfecting this product category. This specialization results in superior quality and innovation that you can see and feel in every installation.

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

DreamWeaver’s Montauk in Chrome

A: I have Dream Weaver Montauk carpet installed in one of my kids’ bedrooms, and I absolutely love it. The carpet is incredibly soft underfoot, which makes it comfortable for my children to play on, and it has proven to be highly stain-resistant. This combination of comfort and durability is perfect for a child’s bedroom, where spills and accidents are inevitable. It gives me peace of mind knowing that the flooring can handle whatever my kids throw at it while still maintaining its softness and appearance.