The Underlay - A Clever Choice Podcast

In this episode of The Underlay , Matt sits down with Robert Richardson, the newest member of the Clever Choice sales team, covering Victoria and Tasmania. With just two weeks under his belt, Robert reflects on his transition from retail to wholesale, his years at Carpet Court, and what excites him most about joining Clever Choice. They chat about: The difference between high-pressure retail and l...

In this episode of The Underlay , Matt and Michael sit down with Jamie Keyzer, CEO of Floorworld, to talk all things flooring, franchising, and finding your feet in a new industry. Recorded at Clever Choice’s stunning new Melbourne HQ, this chat is part of our Melbourne Tour series, and it’s one you don’t want to miss. Jamie opens up about his first 16 months at the helm of Floorworld, reflecting...

In this very special episode of The Underlay , we’re live from Andersens Coorparoo , hosted by Matt Lugo and the team , in a fantastic collaboration between Clever Choice Flooring and Andersens . Our guest? None other than Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Shayna Jack . Shayna joins Matt, Michael, and Clever Choice product specialist Greg to chat renovations, flooring, and resilience....

In this episode of The Underlay , hosts Matt and Michael sit down with Matt and James from RLA Polymers , one of Australia's fastest-growing names in construction chemicals. From adhesives and levellers to waterproofing and moisture barriers, the RLA team reveals what’s really under your flooring and why it matters more than most people realise. Tune in as the team breaks down the critical role of...

In this episode of The Underlay , host Matt sits down with Will Breheny, the energetic new owner of Floor World Hoppers Crossing, for a raw and relatable chat about what it’s really like to jump head-first into the flooring industry. With just seven weeks under his belt, Will shares his story of leaving behind 15+ years in construction to follow a gut feeling—and a great opportunity. What follows...

Join Matt and Clever Choice’s product specialist Greg Harvey in this revealing episode of "The Underlay," where they dive deep into the world of hybrid flooring. They discuss the innovative 7.5mm Enchanted and 10mm Scenic hybrids transforming the flooring industry with their unmatched quality and design. Segments: Introduction: Matt introduces the excitement surrounding Clever Choice’s new hybrid...

Join us in this enlightening episode of "The Underlay" as we take you inside the first-ever FCIA Floor Tech 2025 event in Melbourne. This special episode, part one of a two-part series, features a dynamic blend of industry leaders, insightful discussions, and a close look at the latest innovations shaping the flooring world. Segments: Introduction to Floor Tech 2025: We kick off with Ian Walker fr...

Join us in the latest episode of "The Underlay," where host Matt visits the new Melbourne office to chat with three new team members who are making significant strides at Clever Choice. Dive into their personal stories, their roles within the company, and how they're helping to shape the future of Clever Choice from the ground up. Introduction to the New Melbourne Team: Meet Troy, Akila, and Mikay...

In this detailed episode of "The Underlay," join hosts Matt and Greg Harvey, the Queensland Sales Manager, as they dive deep into the critical aspects of flooring trims and proper installation practices. Set in the newly outfitted Clever Choice Queensland head office, this episode not only celebrates recent achievements and expansions but also tackles the often overlooked details that make or brea...

Join us in this engaging episode of "The Underlay" as we introduce the three newest members of the Clever Choice sales team. Tune in to meet Kai, Thomas, and Charlotte, who are stepping into their new roles as sales representatives covering Queensland and Western Australia. Hosted by Matt, this episode offers a lively mix of personal introductions, career aspirations, and a sneak peek into the per...

Welcome to our first recorded episode of "The Underlay" for 2025, where we dive back into the world of flooring with the energy and insight of Paul Bevan, the Sales and Operations Manager for Floorworld. Joining him are Ian Walker, the VIC/SA Sales Manager, and our hosts, Matt and Michael, fresh off a break filled with new beginnings and ventures. Segments: Introduction: Our hosts catch up on rece...

Join us for a truly amazing episode of "The Underlay" featuring Sid, a stalwart of the flooring industry with a tenure nearing four decades at Andersens. This episode delves deep into Sid's journey and the core values that have shaped his career and Andersens itself. Join us as we discuss the following: A Journey Through Time: Sid shares his remarkable 37-year career journey at Andersens, discussi...

Join us for the final episode of "The Underlay" in 2024, where we celebrate the year's milestones, share behind-the-scenes stories, and look forward to exciting new beginnings in 2025. Hosted by Matt and Michale, this special episode will wrap up the year with warmth and excitement. Some of our discussion points The Melbourne Trip: Dive into the tales from our Melbourne journey, where we recorded...

Welcome to The Underlay, where we uncover the stories shaping the flooring industry. In this episode, we sit down with Gabby and Desmond, the dynamic duo behind Andersens’ marketing success. Together, they offer an insider’s perspective on how Andersens has become a trusted name in flooring. Episode Highlights: The Andersens Brand Identity: Gabby and Desmond share what the Andersens brand stands f...

In Part 2 of our Clever Way series, Matt sits again with Michael to discuss how developing a singular handbook has transformed Clever Choice's operation. Simplifying the product offering was a massive step for Clever Choice, a company that prided itself on its diverse product range; it created three distinct product ranges, making the "Clever Choice" even easier. The whole product offering is now...

Michael and Matt spend some time at Andersens Head Office in Gatton. The first cab off the rank is the GM of Andersens, Rowan Hodge. This is Rowan's second time on The Underlay, and this time, we discuss leadership and how to build a successful franchise business.  This was a great insight into what it takes to build a multi-generational business and how Country Town values and long-term planning...

In our Product Spotlight, Matt sits down with Greg Harvey, the QLD State Sales Manager, to discuss the exciting new product for Clever Choice - the Hybrid Immortal Chevron. First to market, Clever Choice is very excited about this groundbreaking new product. Greg unpacks the features and benefits and explains why the Hybrid Immortal Chevron will change the flooring industry forever.

In this inspiring episode of The Underlay , hosts Matt and Michael sit down with Fiona and Helen, the driving forces behind the "Females in Flooring" initiative. Together, they explore the motivations behind this groundbreaking movement and the critical need for greater female participation in the flooring industry. Fiona and Helen share personal stories, highlight women's challenges in the sector...

As the Melbourne trip drew to a close, we spent some time with the whole Melbourne team in their new warehouse. Together, we reflected on the week that had been, and it gave Matt and Michael a chance to talk further about what they had seen from Clever Choice's service perspective. The journey that Clever Choice is on in Melbourne is an exciting one. The team is firing and now has the logistics to...

In this episode of The Underlay , we delve into the importance of apprenticeships within the flooring industry and how they shape its future. Joining us are two store owners and their apprentices, offering firsthand insights into the world of mentorship and learning. Fiona, the owner of Coffs Harbour Carpet Court, is accompanied by her apprentice Karly, while Dan from Choices Flooring Port Macquar...

On our last store visit on the Melbourne tour, we headed to Ballarat and met Greg and his wife Kim, who owns the Floorworld Ballarat store. Greg has been in the flooring industry since he was a teenager and has been a business owner since the age of 19. it's a full house as Matt is joined by Clever Choice GM Michael Roberts and the latest Clever Sales Manager, Ethan Karlar, to talk with Greg about...

The Melbourne Tour continues as we travel to Lilydale to catch up with an old friend. Emma Griffiths has been on the show before, but this time, we find her preparing for a new adventure with her new business, Elliot Lane. Jackie joins us from Spectrum Curtains and Blinds; she and Emma work closely together to bring a "whole package" mentality to the interior design space. Matt is back and, along...

Our Melbourne Tour continues as we chat with Fiona from the FCIA. This is the second time we have spoken to Fiona, and with twelve months between appearances, we have plenty to discuss. Fiona discusses the new "Females in Flooring" initiative and how we can champion females in the Flooring Industry. One of the FCIA's missions is to grow apprentices in the Flooring Industry, and Fiona will explain...

The Underlay goes on tour to Melbourne, and for our first episode, we chat with Matt Hadden from Bayside Floorworld. Matt welcomed us into his store, and with the help of Clever stalwarts Ian Walker and Michael Shnider, we gave Matt the Underlay treatment. Matt is a California native but has made Melbourne his home for the last 23 years and has been in the flooring industry for 17 of those. A mix...

Matt sits with Clever Choice GM, Michael Roberts to discuss the brand-new "Clever Way".  The last eighteen months have seen a huge change in Clever Choice as a company, and the seventy-eight-page "Clever Way" document is one of the fruits of that change. Over several episodes, the boys will break down "The Clever Way" and explain the ins and outs and how it will benefit the retail stores and the e...