Q – Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
David Chapman We are Ultimate Mats. We specialize in selling customized commercial and residential logo floor mats, WaterHog floor mats, Anti-Fatigue floor mats and entryway floor mats. We sell 100% online at Ultimate Mats. Over the past 15 years, we have succeeded in creating and fostering an unsurpassed customer experience. We take pride in providing the best value, pricing, customer service and industry knowledge available.
Q – Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
My name is David Chapman and together with my son and daughter, we own Ultimate Mats. My son and I were manufacturer’s reps providing anti-fatigue mats to manufacturing plants. I never planned on starting a business until we discovered a true unmet need.
Q – What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
While being a manufacturer’s rep, I discovered a real need in the market. No one was providing super high-quality commercial floor mats at reasonable prices. In 2005, my son and I set out to do just that and started our company: Ultimate Mats. A year later, my daughter joined and our family business ontinued to blossom.
Q – What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
– Be laser focused on your goals
– Be customer focused
– Always prove your value and be careful who you partner with
Since we began, we have had one goal in mind; provide customers with an ultimate mat purchasing experience. Customers should never have to compromise when it comes to the commercial floor mats they use. We provide the highest quality anti-fatigue mats, entry mats and custom logo mats all made with the finest materials available. Partnering with only the top mat manufacturers and suppliers in the United States, we guarantee the
highest and consistent quality you can always trust. With one of our mantras being to provide ultimate value for our customers, we have set the standard for having the lowest possible prices for the highest quality mats available anywhere in the U.S.
Q – What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
• Ability to effectively market your business (or the ability to hire the right outsourced marketing agency)
• Critical thinking (you will get faced with a lot of speed bumps and things you never expected along the way) – you must be able to quickly problem solve.
• Know your numbers – financial acumen so you know how to best use your resources
Q – How many hours do you work a day on average?
8-10 hours
Q – To what do you most attribute your success?
Our customer service and industry knowledge
Q – How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
We use focused Google Ads and Google Shopper to drive traffic to our website. Additionally, we offer the opportunity to get free proofs for any logo mats, so customers can see what their mat will look like before they have to buy anything.
Q – Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
We are self-funded and did not need investors. I successfully leveraged my
relationship with the top floor mat manufacturers who are now my key suppliers of
products.
Q – What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Be tenacious and watch where you spend your resources. Do smart marketing and provide excellent customer services so you will be highly rated.
Q – Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
We want to be one of the largest sellers of customer logo floor mats in the US.
Q – How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
I always find a way to make things work and grow our business. If my initial idea does not work, I keep trying to find a better solution. Giving up is never an option.
Q – What are your ideals?
Providing real value, excellent products and customer service.
Q – How do you generate new ideas?
I meet with my kids and we discuss ideas.
Q – How do you define success?
Sales growth.
Q – How do you build a successful customer base?
N/A – 90% of customers are a one and done order.
Q – What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Getting to work with my son and daughter.
Q – What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Starting Ultimate Mats with my son. It was really special.
