Taft Smithson is the Fall Face of MFMA!
The Face of MFMA is a quarterly initiative where we interview our members and ask them to share some perspective on their job, organization, daily life, and how they are making an impact on the sports flooring industry.
Taft Smithson was named our Fall Face of MFMA. We share his insights in the interview below.
How did you get started in the sports floor industry?
Taft: I came into the industry as a professional salesman. I had owned several businesses.
Who was the biggest influence in your career?
Taft: Randy Randjelovic has been and continues to be the biggest influence in my sport flooring career. Randy is always willing to take time to answer questions, then share background information and a story or two to reinforce the information. He is actively passing on industry knowledge to future generations. I have fashioned my career in the same way. Employees and clients appreciate being educated, and that leads to happy employees and better sales.
How does your company help the sports flooring industry?
Taft: Education is critical in life and business. Sometimes that is found at a university, but most education is found through the love of learning. Arizona Gym Floors is always innovating because we encourage our entire team to improve what we do every day. We educate our team through classes, workshops and certifications. This fosters consistency and creativity.
What do you feel are your keys to success?
Taft: The full circle of communication keeps our company successful. “I bark out the order and you do it” has never worked well. As the owner of the company, I listen to my employees to know what changes need to be made, and what wins need to be celebrated. My team is full of good people who want to do the best they can. Communication is the largest key in my reach.
What one thing has impacted the sports flooring industry the most in your career?
Taft: I believe that Covid 19 had the largest impact on the sports flooring industry in my career. It required everyone in the industry to be more creative and to communicate in tighter conditions at the same time. Product delays and sporadic labor shortages were a weekly challenge, and no one escaped it.
Do you have a saying or mantra that helps you stay motivated or motivate others?
Taft: “A relationship will make more money than a sale ever will”, and “We bring the table saw so we don’t need the table saw.” Because as soon as we don’t have it, we’ll need it.
What is the weirdest thing you have ever seen done to a sports flooring surface?
Taft: A group decided that they could have multiple fire pits over the maple gym floor for a “fun” experience. The owner asked me what was wrong with my floor because of all the dark circles.
How has the sports flooring industry changed since you started in the industry?
Taft: I’m a relative short timer in this industry of generational owners. In 2011, I cut my teeth in the MFMA world and realized quickly that huge changes were happening in finishes and paints. The changes continue to come, and we contractors continue to roll with it. Labor and material issues will always be a concern. That will never change.
What is your best advice to someone starting out in the industry?
Taft: Work the hours and learn all that you can from everyone that you can. Trust the people around you, and if you can’t, find new people.
Taft Smithson
Arizona Gym Floors
