Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Zheng.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Unique Wood Floors was founded by my father, Winston, in 2004 with a commitment to quality craftsmanship, honest service, and helping customers find the right flooring for their homes. I later joined the family business and began taking on a larger role in its growth and modernization. Since then, we have expanded our product offerings, strengthened our installation and project-management services, opened multiple showroom locations, and built lasting relationships with homeowners, designers, builders, and contractors throughout Minnesota. Today, we continue to build on the foundation my father created while finding new ways to improve the customer experience and move the company forward.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not always been a smooth road. Over the years, we have had to navigate major challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, supply-chain disruptions, rising tariffs, changing design trends, and evolving construction and subcontractor regulations, including Minnesota’s expanded subcontracting requirements.
Each of these changes affected how we sourced products, managed projects, supported our installers, and served our customers. There were times when materials were delayed, costs increased unexpectedly, and we had to rethink the way we operated almost overnight. However, those challenges pushed us to become more adaptable, improve our systems, diversify our product offerings, and build stronger relationships with our customers and industry partners.
The flooring industry continues to change, but our willingness to evolve while staying committed to quality and service has helped Unique Wood Floors continue moving forward.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Unique Wood Floors?
Unique Wood Floors is a family-owned Minnesota flooring company. We specialize in hardwood and engineered wood flooring, but we also offer cork, luxury vinyl, stairs, refinishing, repairs, and professional installation. Our goal is to help customers choose a floor that not only looks beautiful, but also performs well for their home, lifestyle, and Minnesota’s changing climate.
We are especially known for our wood flooring expertise. Rather than overwhelming customers with endless options or pushing the most expensive product, we take a more curated approach to present products that offer the most value and best performance.
What sets us apart is the level of support we provide throughout the entire process. Our customers can visit our showrooms, take home large samples, receive professional measuring and site evaluation, and work with a dedicated project manager through installation. We also maintain strong relationships with manufacturers and offer a number of carefully selected and exclusive flooring collections that customers may not find at larger retailers.
We are proud to combine the personal service and accountability of a family business with the systems, technology, product knowledge, and project management expected from a modern flooring company. My background as an NWFA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector also helps us approach projects with a deeper understanding of moisture, installation conditions, product performance, and industry standards.
Brand wise, I am most proud that Unique Wood Floors has earned a reputation for honesty, education, and standing behind our work. Flooring is a major investment, and we want customers to feel confident that they are making the right decision. We want readers to know that we are here to improve the lives of our customers by transforming their (or their customers) living space with high quality products and genuine customer service.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe the best risks are calculated, well-researched, and connected to a clear long-term goal.
Joining and helping lead the family business was a major responsibility. I wanted to respect what my father built while also modernizing the company and preparing it for the future. That has meant investing in new locations, inventory, technology, marketing, employees, and expanded services, even when the outcome was not guaranteed.
My approach is to understand the downside, make sure we can absorb it, and consider what we will learn if things do not go as planned. I also believe avoiding every risk can be risky in itself. Businesses have to evolve, and responsible risk taking is often necessary to improving on both a personal level and in business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://uniquewoodfloor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquewoodfloors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniquewoodfloors
