MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ——————————— sponsored by New NTCA member Ken Ballin, owner of Skyro Floors in West Creek, N.J. (www.skyrofloors.com), located near the Long Beach Island and the Jersey shore, got his feet wet learning about tools from his grandfather, who was a carpenter and a Seabee in the Navy. “He taught me everything I know about tools,” Ballin said. “After my wife and I purchased our first home and started renovations, it was pointed out that I have a knack for flooring. I started installing for customers on my days off from my ‘regular job’ and business took off. I was lucky enough to pick up a contract with a local box store and quickly became the guy they called to fix the mistakes.” Ballin started out installing only laminate flooring but learned about other types along the way. The box store “asked if I could install hardwood (so I learned),” he said. “Then they asked if I could install tile (so I learned). Then they asked me if I could install carpet (so I hired a couple carpet crews). At my peak with them I was running about a dozen or so crews and we did the work for about a dozen or so stores.” Ballin says that unfortunately the proverbial rug was pulled out New NTCA member Skyro Floors, turns knack for flooring into satisfying profession Certifications and NTCA membership feeds his hunger for knowledge NTCA Training Director Mark Heinlein (L) signed Ken up as a member at a recent training event. This Skyro vehicle is as beautiful as the floors it helps Ken to install. 84 TileLetter | August 2018