I am Che Polfliet, a Belgian parquet layer.
My passion lies in the craft of parquetry — working with wood, creating unique floors, and shaping spaces where people truly feel at home.

For me, our trade goes beyond simply laying floors. It is a way to create something lasting, to bring beauty and warmth into someone’s life. It is also a way to connect: with the material, with the space, and with the people who will live there.

I believe that as parquet layers we can achieve even more together. That we can inspire and strengthen one another, and carry our craft forward. Not only by sharing our techniques, but also by collaborating, exchanging ideas, and showing the world the value of our trade.

That is why I want to take the Pay It Forward principle as a guiding line: helping each other without expecting something in return. When we share our knowledge, experience, and passion with colleagues, they can pass it on again. In this way, we build together a chain reaction of craftsmanship, inspiration, and connection.

I invite my fellow parquet layers — in Belgium and beyond — to join in. Let us celebrate our craftsmanship together and show that what we create is more than just a floor: it is a foundation for connection and quality of life.

On a solid foundation,
Che Polfliet

My name is Michael Devriendt, a Belgian parquet craftsman, creative spirit and father of two children.

I believe deeply in the power of the pay it forward system, especially in these times. True change doesn’t always come from big organizations or governments, it starts with us — with simple acts of kindness and generosity.

That’s why I’ve decided to join this movement by helping three people, without expecting anything in return.

My only hope is that these three, in turn, will also help three others, and so on. In this way, a chain reaction of support and solidarity can grow far beyond what any of us could achieve alone.

The key is that it must come from free will, from the heart. No obligations, no pressure. Just the belief that by lifting each other up, we can truly make a difference together.

I invite my colleagues in Belgium and beyond to join this movement. Let’s show, through our actions, that change is possible and that we hold the power to shape a more caring and connected world.

Warm regards,
Michael Devriendt

Marcel Schipper – Schipper Parket, Zeeland

“After 18 years of passion and dedication to my craft, I still take great pleasure in creating and installing unique parquet floors.

My specialty lies in perfecting every tiny detail — that’s my signature in every project. I always say: when every detail of a floor is right, even a busy floor can look visually calm, because subconsciously you can see that everything fits together.

When creativity, tradition, and craftsmanship come together while laying a floor, the floor almost smiles at you once it’s finished. That’s what truly makes me happy — especially when I can share that experience with colleagues who have the same passion and drive. Working together, sharing good moments, and learning from one another make this craft even more beautiful. Together, we lift each other up.

The Pay It Forward principle truly speaks to me. In today’s busy world, helping others is no longer a given. Through this initiative, we can make a real difference by giving a helping hand to those who need it. It feels good to see how a small gesture can bring great happiness. That’s why I’m proud to contribute to this project — with the same passion and dedication I bring to my work — to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

So I call on all my fellow parquet layers, here and around the world, to join this movement. Together, we can create not only a monumental artwork, but also a movement that helps move the world forward.

Kind regards,
Marcel Schipper

I am Johan Zwartbol, owner of Maple Leaf, a specialized parquet flooring company based in Dordrecht.
From a young age, I grew up surrounded by wood, and later I fully immersed myself in the world of parquet floors.

What I love most about my work is discovering, together with the client, what best fits their home. For me, it’s all about connection — listening to their wishes, advising them, and making the right choice together. After all, people will live on their parquet floors for years. It has to match their life and their feeling. Once a project is finished, I move on to the next one, but the memory of the process and collaboration always stays with me.

One of my specialties is restoring old floors. Every floor tells a unique story, shaped by hundreds of years of use. The colors, the patterns, the atmosphere — everything breathes authenticity. After restoration, the client has a parquet floor that cannot be bought anywhere in the world, a truly unique piece of craftsmanship. The journey to that end result is one of connection, collaboration, and sharing.

We preserve craftsmanship not by competing or keeping our knowledge to ourselves, but by helping and sharing with each other. True craftsmanship cannot be bought. You learn it through experience, by making mistakes, by observing, and by working together. It’s a key to connection — and if we don’t actively pass it on, it will be lost.

That’s why I believe in this initiative. Pay It Forward is not just about our craft — it’s about helping each other move forward in the broadest sense of the word. That can take countless forms: offering financial support, giving someone a chance or a network, being a listening ear, sharing your time or resources, or simply taking a walk with an elderly person. Everyone can contribute in their own way. The only rule: expect nothing in return — and the person you’ve helped passes it on to three others, each in their own way.

But this project starts with us — the parquet layers. We literally lay the foundation beneath people’s feet. So let’s also lay the foundation for this movement. That’s why I call on all my colleagues here and around the world to join this project. Together, we can start a chain reaction that’s far greater than ourselves.

Kind regards,
Johan Zwartbol

My name is York Dhe Nije, parquet craftsman from Amsterdam.

The floor is often seen as something self-evident. Yet, it might be more important than we think. Most of the time, you only notice a floor when something feels off. But there are also those who love to look at a floor that is perfectly in place — one that adds something to its surroundings. That’s what I want to be part of.

It’s a beautiful thing to install a floor for people who’ve made a conscious choice. With a wooden floor, you truly bring a piece of history into your home — and also a future. Wood is born from just a few simple ingredients: sunlight, carbon dioxide, and a touch of minerals. These are woven together into fibers, resin, and scent — carrying both strength and a sense of natural ease. Anyway, I love wood — that much is clear.

Ever since I became a member of the parquet layers’ guild, I immediately felt part of the community. Parquet layers may all be a bit headstrong, but they’re also united, helpful, and collegial. There’s always something to learn, and this group of craftsmen is very generous with their knowledge. Perhaps that’s true for many professions, but it deserves to be said.

The Pay It Forward idea is exactly that kind of generous expression. Give, give, give — unconditionally. The more you give, the more you have — that’s how I see it. To shape this philosophy into something tangible is new for me, and it’s a challenge — but a good one. In doing so, you lift yourself and the world around you a little higher.

Jakko is truly an initiator, and I want to thank him for his dedication. I’m grateful that our paths have crossed. I would love to plant even just a few of these seeds of goodwill among the people around me. Those seeds will bloom in different ways — and the flowers that grow from them will become part of a Gesamtkunstwerk. Each of us parquet layers will create a panel that will come together as one great floor. All the other seeds will form their own unique flowers.

Feel free to join this wonderful initiative — big or small, every gesture matters. A generous act, a deep smile.

Kind regards,
York Dhe Nije

“What we walk on can also be the foundation of something greater.”

My name is Emilio Manzano, I’m from Spain and I work as a parquet installer. Together with my family, we have brought Gallery by Suelos de Madera to life. Today, I have the privilege of working side by side with my son Sergio, teaching him a craft that has been my way of life for more than 45 years.

But this is not just about laying floors. It’s about respecting detail, creating beauty with your hands, and leaving a mark in every space. It’s about passing on values, principles, and a passion for craftsmanship.

I firmly believe that our trade holds immense value — and that this value grows when it is shared. That’s why I want to invite you to be part of something greater: a movement that unites professionals through their love for wood, craftsmanship, and genuine generosity toward others.

Pay It Forward is exactly that — sharing what you know, reaching out, collaborating, inspiring. Because every gesture, no matter how small, can make a big difference.

If you believe in this too, join us. Because with every floor we lay, we don’t just build a home — we build something deeper: community, respect, and legacy.

Warm regards,
Emilio Manzano

Hello, my name is Matthew Szyszka. I am a wood flooring craftsman and the owner of Floor Master Company, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

I was raised in a small village in Poland. My grandfather crafted wooden dinghy boats, and the time I spent with him cultivated a profound passion for woodworking. I moved to the United States at the age of 18, where I further developed my skills in the art of wood flooring. Presently, I am living the American dream and striving to provide my clients with the highest standards of craftsmanship. I am always seeking innovative solutions and continuously striving for self-improvement, pushing myself to be the best version of myself each day.

I have chosen to participate in the Pay It Forward movement because I believe in the power of positive change. In today’s world, where division is prevalent, we risk weakening ourselves and losing sight of our shared humanity. Regardless of religious beliefs, political affiliations, skin color, or preferred sports teams, we are all equal. We are all human beings who must support one another to foster a peaceful world.

I believe that we, the flooring craftsmen from around the globe, can construct a floor that will symbolize a strong foundation for this movement. Let us strive to make it even more impactful than we have ever envisioned!

👉 I invite all my fellow wood floor layers here in the United States and around the world to join this movement, build a panel, share your story, and help us create a ripple effect of kindness, connection, and purpose. Together, we can make a difference.

Sincerely,

Matthew Szyszka
Floor Master Company

My name is Pietro Corrao, Italian craftsman.

My story with wood began when I was very young, working as a carpenter. Over time, this passion turned into a true vocation, leading me to specialize in the field of wooden flooring.

From this passion, my company was born: Corrao Pietro Parquet, founded with the goal of transforming innovative ideas into tangible realities — with professionalism, technical expertise, and artistic spirit.

For me, a wooden floor is not just a furnishing element: it is art, tradition, and living material.

I deeply believe in the value of craftsmanship, in continuous learning, in collaboration between professionals, and in passing on knowledge to the next generations.

My commitment is to bring the passionate craftsman back to the center — before commerce and profit drain the true meaning of our work.

I dream of a future where young people can rediscover the charm of wood and craftsmanship, perhaps through the “play of work”: a hands-on, creative way of learning that stimulates curiosity and talent.

I am happy to contribute my experience to the growth of this new project, with the enthusiasm of someone who truly loves what they do — every single day.

Pay It Forward, to me, means collaborating, sharing knowledge, and passing on the love for wood to future generations.
But above all, it means seeing each other again, listening, and helping one another — as craftsmen and as human beings.

That’s why I invite all my colleagues, in Italy and around the world, to join this global movement and help create a chain of craftsmanship, connection, and inspiration.

With warm regards,
Pietro Corrao
Corrao Pietro Parquet

Hello friends, my name is Joshua Crossman, from Washington, USA.

I’ve been in the hardwood flooring trade for over 25 years, and I can honestly say I love it even more today than when I first started. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking worn-out wood and bringing it back to life, or crafting a new and unique floor. It’s more than just flooring to me, it’s craftsmanship, legacy, and pride in doing things the right way.

Over the years, I’ve been blessed to build a successful business, but what matters even more to me are the relationships and the people in this trade. I believe God has called us not just to work with excellence, but to serve and lift others up along the way. Too often, craftsmen work in isolation or competition, when in reality we’re stronger together. I’ve seen how sharing knowledge, encouraging one another, and leading with integrity can transform lives and elevate our whole industry.

That’s why I’m excited to join the Pay It Forward movement. I want the world to see the beauty and value of hardwood flooring, not just as a product, but as an art form. I want young people to look at this trade and say, “I want to be part of that.” I want flooring professionals everywhere to be inspired, united, and proud of the work we do.

Let’s build something bigger than just floors. Let’s build community. Let’s build opportunity. Let’s build with purpose.

To all my fellow wood floor craftsmen here in the United States and around the world, let’s make this trade attractive to all. Let’s encourage each other, share our stories, and raise the standard together. When we pour our passion, integrity, and heart into our craft, we don’t just make floors, we make a difference.

Sincerely,
Joshua Crossman
PTL Flooring

Jason Vivash here with J.L. Vivash Custom Wood Floors in Paris, Ontario, Canada.

I am excited to be a part of the @unitedwoodfloorlayers team and the #PayItForward movement.

I’ve been working on wood floors for three decades now and have refined my business to focus on my true passion: artistic wood floor designs, inlays, and parquetry. We design and fabricate all our creations, still installing and finishing many floors ourselves, and also make parquetry for other craftsmen here in Canada.

I’ve been fortunate to learn from many masters over the years, and I’ve realized it’s my time to give back. The Pay It Forward idea aligns perfectly with who I am and what I believe in.

I also feel the world is so divisive right now, and we need to do everything we can not only as craftsmen but as human beings to keep peace, spread love, and help one another thrive and flourish together, in our work and on this earth.

Thank you Jakko Woudenberg for creating this amazing program. I look forward to getting started with you all. I invite all my fellow craftsmen brothers and sisters in Canada and around the world to join us in this beautiful act of unity.

Sincerely,

Jason Vivash
J.L. Vivash Custom Wood Floors

Hi, my name is Iulian Tampa, and I am the owner of Eternity Floors in Chicago, USA.

What started as an opportunity of circumstance, working with wood floors, has grown into a passion and a lifelong commitment to the perfection of the craft. Working with a natural material that can last a lifetime, or even more, is both an honor and a privilege.

I am joining the Pay It Forward movement to be part of something that unites different generations, talents, and cultures — a shared effort to leave behind a lasting creation of inspiration and admiration.

I invite all my fellow craftsmen here in the United States and around the world to join this movement, to share their passion, and to help build something truly meaningful together, and to make a positive impact on the lives of many.

Sincerely,

Iulian Tampa
Eternity Floors

I’m Alex Hamilton with Grain Design Flooring, based out of Florence, Kentucky, serving the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area.

I’ve been in the hardwood flooring industry for 13 years. The longer I work with wood, the more I fall in love with it and its intricacies. For me, it’s so much more than work. From providing the foundation that businesses and families can stand proud on, to navigating the complex twists and turns life throws at you, it pleases my spirit to contribute to the backdrop of memories, achievements, and those moments of reflection during life’s difficult decisions.

Becoming a wood flooring professional has given me confidence and the backbone to drive my ambitions. I’m a creative person by default, and I often find that if I’m not in some kind of creative process, I’m not content. The creative process is where I thrive. This career path allows me to work with my hands, my mind, and my heart.

With the paradox of our age, we seem more divided now than ever. Yet it costs nothing to be kind and help one another. If we all helped just three people, imagine the impact we could have on the world. We have the ability to create a wave and influence something so much bigger than any one of us. Competition happens at the bottom, collaboration happens at the top. Wood floor pros have a distinct kind of grit and the power to carry out this initiative.

Paying it forward is who I strive to be at my core, always approaching challenges with an attitude of love, service, and generosity. To say that I’m thrilled to be on board would be an understatement.

Sincerely,
Alex Hamilton
Grain Design Flooring

Hello, my name is Daniel Reddy, owner of Reddy’s Hardwood Flooring, Inc., based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

When I started in this craft over 20 years ago at the age of 18, I had very little direction and even less discipline. I was very fortunate to work for a craftsman who believed in quality work, helping others, and refining skills through continuous education. This laid the foundation for the rest of my career in wood flooring and gave me something to strive for. Throughout the years, I have had many positive role models who have helped me along the way, so I have always felt an obligation to pass that on.

Hardwood flooring has provided me with everything I have today and is a true passion of mine. It has allowed me to travel the world and connect with so many like-minded individuals. Working with a product of nature to create lasting and functional works of art is beyond rewarding, and I couldn’t imagine another direction for my path.

I am more than thrilled to join the Pay It Forward movement in hopes that someone else can benefit from everything this craft has to offer. Thank you Jakko Woudenberg for this fantastic idea in highlighting what hard work and a kind heart can achieve.

I invite all my colleagues and everyone who believes in kindness and connection, to join this movement. Let’s keep inspiring, helping, and lifting others up, not only within our trade, but in life. Together, we can make a lasting impact, one act of generosity at a time.

Sincerely,
Daniel Reddy
Reddy’s Hardwood Flooring, Inc.

My name is Ramin Jafarieh, a passionate parquet craftsman from the Netherlands.

With this letter, I would like to express my admiration for your work and share my wish to join your beautiful initiative.

My love for wood began early, on the sunny coast of the Caspian Sea. As a teenager, I created handmade wooden objects for a local company. That’s where I learned to understand the soul of wood — and the true value of craftsmanship. I carried that passion with me to the Netherlands.

Since 2014, my wonderful wife and I have been building our own flooring company together. She is my rock, and together we lay floors for our clients. We’ve built a business that stands for honesty, craftsmanship, and dedication.

What you are doing at United Wood Floor Layers truly moves me. In a world dominated by mass production, you bring back the human element and pride in the craft. The philosophy of Pay It Forward — doing good without expecting anything in return — perfectly reflects how I live and work.

I believe in a global community where we learn from each other, help one another, and grow stronger together. In this way, we don’t just create beautiful floors — we build connection, respect, and lasting craftsmanship for generations to come.

I hope my story inspires others to join as well, so that together we can show what true craftsmanship and humanity really mean.

With warm regards,
Ramin Jafarieh
Parket Sora

My name is Eric Jongmans, and I live and work in Breda, in the south of the Netherlands.
For almost 40 years, I have devoted myself every day with passion and dedication to creating the most beautiful parquet floors.
Working with wood every day to create something not only beautiful but also functional is incredibly fulfilling and deeply rewarding for me.

In addition to working on floors and running my company, Gaffi ParketVormgevers, I am also actively involved in our professional organization, the Guild of Parquet Layers.
Our organization currently has around 50 active members — all skilled craftsmen working in the parquet trade.
By organizing workshops and gatherings, we make sure that the knowledge and expertise within our craft are preserved and passed on.

For me personally, sharing knowledge is natural.
There’s a saying: “Those who cannot share, cannot multiply.”
That’s exactly why the Pay It Forward initiative speaks to me so strongly — making the world a little better, helping people.
Even the smallest acts can have great meaning for someone else.

I feel truly honored to work on this special project alongside my colleagues — an incredible group of parquet layers who are not only passionate about their craft, but also have big hearts.

I call on all my fellow parquet layers in the Netherlands and beyond to join this initiative.
Together, we can show what craftsmanship, connection, and humanity truly mean.

I am Eric Jongmans, and I proudly support the Pay It Forward project — by parquet layers, for parquet layers.

My name is Marc van der Zande, owner of Legbedrijf Nobel Parket in Tilburg.
I’m 56 years old and have been working with wood for over 35 years, a material that has fascinated me since childhood.
Even as a young boy, I would saw planks in my father’s shed and build little boats from them, which I proudly sailed in the pond. That feeling of creating with wood has always remained.

After my military service, I started as an apprentice at a cork and parquet company at the age of twenty. It was the early days of laminate flooring, and I was soon allowed to work independently. I had the opportunity to learn the trade from experienced parquet installers. People like Mari Habraken truly instilled in me a love of the craft. Thanks to him, I also completed my training at Gildevaart in Woerden.

What I felt then still holds true: whether it’s an exclusive floor or a project in a terraced house, everyone deserves craftsmanship. For every customer, regardless of budget, a floor should be installed with care, attention, and dedication.

In 1996, I started my own company, Legbedrijf Nobel Parket, installing parquet and wooden floors for parquet shops in Brabant. Since 2007, we’ve also had our own showroom, where my girlfriend Maaike attentively guides our customers through their choices.

For many years, I’ve been a proud member of the Guild of Parquet Installers. It’s all about sharing knowledge, learning from each other, and the camaraderie among professionals who are truly cut from the same cloth.

That’s precisely why the Pay It Forward initiative appeals to me so much. It’s not just about floors, but about connection, humanity, and passing on something bigger than yourself. Creating something together that has an impact—that’s what it’s all about.

I encourage all my fellow parquet installers to join in, to share their knowledge, experience, or simply their time with others. Because together we can create something beautiful, not just in wood, but also in the world.

Sincerely,
Marc van der Zande
Laying Company Nobel Parket

I am honored and humbled to accept the invitation from my colleague and friend, Jakko Woudenberg — The Dutch Wood Artist, to participate in this inspiring worldwide flooring initiative.

With decades of shared experience in the hardwood flooring industry, I am both passionate and excited to contribute my knowledge and expertise to help create something truly meaningful and impactful alongside fellow floor layers across the globe.

Together, we can build not just floors, but a legacy of art, craftsmanship, and connection that will resonate for generations to come.

I look forward to supporting this project in every way I can and to being part of this powerful community effort that unites our craft and our hearts.

Stephen Diggins
Specialty Forest Products
Wood Floor Business / All Things Wood Floor

My name is Dustin Bolin, owner of Ground Floor Supply in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.

I’m excited and honored to contribute a piece to this inspiring global Pay It Forward project.
For me, wood is more than just a material, it’s a medium of creativity, connection, and endless possibility. I’ve always loved the process of transforming raw wood into something that carries both function and meaning.

This project brings together everything I value most: art, wood, and collaboration. It’s a chance to create something beautiful that connects craftsmen and artists from all over the world.

I’m proud to stand alongside my fellow wood floor professionals in this movement, building not only extraordinary floors but also a shared legacy of craftsmanship and kindness.

Dustin Bolin
Ground Floor Supply – Saint Paul, MN

Hi! My name is Joey Leenders, a proud parquet installer from Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and owner of Hout van Goud (Hout of Gold).

My passion for wood began at a young age. My father also worked in the parquet industry, and I was soon allowed to join him. What started as observing and helping quickly grew into a deep love for the craft.

I’ve been working in the parquet industry since 2008, and in 2018 I took the plunge and started my own company: Hout van Goud (Hout of Gold).
The name says it all: for me, wood is a truly precious material, something you can use to bring spaces to life.

What I love most about my work? The variety. No two days are the same: one day I’m laying a completely new floor, the next I’m restoring an existing floor to its former glory. But the best moment is seeing a satisfied customer who is happy with the end result.

At Hout van Goud, everything revolves around craftsmanship, quality, and a personal approach. Every floor I install, sand, or repair is done with pride, because I believe a beautiful floor is the foundation of every home.

The Pay It Forward initiative aligns perfectly with this: creating something beautiful together, sharing knowledge, and helping others without expecting anything in return.
I invite all my fellow parquet installers to join us. Together we can demonstrate that craftsmanship, connection, and humanity go hand in hand.

Sincerely,
Joey Leenders
Hout van Goud

My name is Mere, and I live in Barcelona, ​​Spain.

I have the privilege of belonging to a generation of wood artisans who instilled in me the values ​​of learning, creating, and teaching this craft.

What I’m most passionate about is bringing old floors with history back to life, preserving their character, and making them look as good as new. I like to think that every floor I finish tells a little bit of my story.

Today, I’m proud to be part of this group of artisans who seek to pass on knowledge and keep the tradition alive. Teaching is also a way of learning, and sharing what I know and what I’ve experienced is my way of paying homage to those who taught me before.

Because, in the end, being a master craftsman isn’t just a job: it’s a passion that is inherited, learned, and carried within you forever.

We are João (Fino) and Susy, owners and leaders of Fino Ofício, based in Sintra, Portugal.

We are masters in parquet and flooring, with a deep love for this craft since 2013.

Throughout our careers, we have been blessed with valuable friendships within this industry. We believe that sharing knowledge and solidarity with others are essential to elevate our art and strengthen the sense of mission accomplished.

We started without any support base and, with much effort and dedication, today we are internationally recognized masters, holders of several awards. This was only possible thanks to the team that has grown with us over the years and, above all, thanks to the great international masters who have helped us evolve quickly and consistently.

Pride in our work and attention to detail are part of our DNA. We always strive to be better tomorrow than we are today.

It is with great pride that we have been alongside our friend Jakko Woudenberg in this wonderful Pay It Forward project from the very beginning.

Compassion for others is something we highly value, and that’s why it’s extremely rewarding to be part of a movement that reminds the world that we need to be more supportive and that we all depend on each other to evolve.

Together we are stronger — and it’s exciting to see so many masters joining this movement, many of them our personal friends and fellow enthusiasts for the art of parquet flooring.

Often, “when one door closes, a window opens.”

And together, we will open many more doors — or windows 😉

Let’s show the world the power of unity and how a small vibration of change can transform into a powerful harmony in the form of parquet art.

With esteem,
João & Susy
Fino Ofício – Sintra, Portugal

Hello, my name is Everette Simmons, a wood floor artisan and owner of Furniture Grade Floors in Colorado, USA.

I discovered the trade of hardwood flooring while attending a fine woodworking school. That’s when I realized hardwood floors and stairs are much more than something you simply walk on — they are the largest piece of furniture in your home. They are the foundation where connection happens and core memories are made.

To me, the relationship between trees and humans is remarkably similar. Each piece of wood tells its own unique story — a different expression and a different past. Each piece stands alone, but when connected, they form something beautiful and symbiotic. People are the same. We come from different backgrounds, values, and experiences, yet together we become something far greater than we are on our own.

That’s why I’m humbled and honored to take part in the Pay It Forward movement with the United Wood Floor Layers. Artisans I admire — from different nations, continents, and cultures — coming together to create something larger than the floor beneath our feet. Together, we can show the world that a hardwood floor is art: something to be seen, touched, heard, and admired.

Peace and love,
Everette Simmons

Hello family, my name is Adrian Molitor.
I own and operate Molitor Traditional Flooring in Madison, Wisconsin, together with the help of my twin sons.

I began my journey in hardwood flooring back in 1999, when I was given my first job in Tucson, Arizona. From that day forward, I’ve been captivated by the stories hidden within the floors of older homes, the magic in the boards, the history beneath our feet, and the transformation that brings life back into a space.

I am a strong advocate for equality and diversity within our trade. I’ve seen the bottom of life and I know what struggle feels like, but I also believe with all my heart that a rising tide lifts all ships. When one succeeds, we all rise.

That’s why I’m proud to join the Pay It Forward movement with United Wood Floor Layers. We are a global family of craftsmen using our passion, our hands and our hearts to help others, not for recognition, but because that is what community is about.

Together we craft more than floors.
We craft connection.
We craft opportunity.
We craft hope.

✌🏼❤️ Cheers,
Adrian Molitor
Molitor Traditional Flooring – Madison, Wisconsin

Hello all,
My name is Ethan, and I am a wood flooring contractor originally from Chicago, re established in Louisville KY, home of bourbon and the Kentucky Derby. I am the proud owner and operator of Broadleaf Hardwoods.

I am the proud son of two incredibly hard working and humble Romanian immigrants, who raised me on the Northshore of Chicago. I entered the trade out of necessity, that quickly turned into a passion and obsession (ask my wife). Hardwood flooring has been an amazing outlet for exercising my love for entrepreneurship and creativity. It has taken me to some incredible places in the world, as well as allowed me to meet people and hear their stories.

I am honored to be invited by my friend @floormasterco to be a part of the @unitedwoodfloorlayers movement. We live in polarized times, humanity strained, and our identities compromised. We are all equal, regardless of geography, religion, or background. Change starts at home, within your own community. Our industry is one that is connected on a global scale, craftsmen from all across world talk, learn from each other, and build friendships.

Along with my fellow contributors, we will be individually creating a panel reflecting our skills and unique contributions to the industry.

I would also like to extend an invitation to all of my industry peers to join, and be a part of creating a symbol of unity, spreading joy and kindness, and showing the world what a collective of like minded individuals can accomplish together.

With Love,
Ethan

My name is Sebastiaan Vanwestrenen, owner of Luxoket, and I live and work in Sint Willebrord.

I have a deep love for our craft. Everything related to wood, tools, and craftsmanship has fascinated me for as long as I can remember.

Yet, I actually fell into the parquet industry by accident. But from the moment I discovered the different wood types and flooring styles, I was hooked. My curiosity grew into a deep passion – and I’ve now been working with wood, flooring, and finishes for over 25 years.

Eleven years ago, I started my own company: Luxoket.
The name represents what I want to create: a luxury parquet product – Lux-o-ket. For me, it’s all about precision, peace of mind, and next-level floor and stair finishes. Listening to the customer, brainstorming with them, and collaborating to create the most beautiful solutions – that’s what makes this profession special to me.

What do I love most about my work? That you visit the most beautiful places, in homes with character and class. You start with a bare floor, and after days or weeks of hard work, something special suddenly appears: a finished home with a look that would fit right into a home magazine.

Moreover, the search for a unique finish gives me enormous energy. Creating something together with the client that truly can’t be found anywhere else – that’s what makes this profession invaluable to me.

The Pay It Forward initiative aligns perfectly with this. Creating something beautiful together, sharing knowledge, and helping others without expecting anything in return: that’s what makes our profession great. I feel honored to be able to contribute to this together with my fellow parquet installers.

That’s why I urge all my colleagues in the Netherlands and abroad to join in. Together, we demonstrate that craftsmanship, connection, and humanity are the true core of our craft.

Regards,
Sebastiaan