Hardwood Floors December 2025/January 2026

WOOD TALK

CRAFTSMAN HARDWOOD FLOORING MATT GARCIA

Matt Garcia is the owner of Craftsman Hardwood Flooring in San Angelo, Texas, and a third-generation wood flooring professional with 25 years of experience.

Matt Garcia

What energizes you to stay in the wood flooring industry? On the craft side, I love experimenting with new techniques and innovative equipment that push the limits of what is possible. On the business side, I’m passionate about building a strong team and creating opportunities through our performance pay

He has been recognized with a Wood Floor of the Year award. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for NWFA, where he is passionate about advancing training and opportunities for the next generation in the trade. Garcia recently was featured on the NWFA Wood Talk podcast, so Hardwood Floors magazine caught up with him to ask a few more questions. Tell us something interesting about yourself. I grew up surfing in California, which gave me an early love for balance, rhythm, and the outdoors. That same drive carried into my wood flooring career, where I was honored to win a Wood Floor of the Year award. How did you get started in the industry? I’m a third-generation craftsman, and my career began with working summers and weekends alongside my dad. If he had a job on the coast, I’d bring my fishing pole – working about half the time and fishing the other half. Those early days gave me a love for the balance between work, family, and enjoying the moment. What is your favorite wood floor project that you’ve participated in? My favorite has to be my Wood Floor of the Year project. It pushed me to the limits of my creativity and woodworking knowledge. That project forced me to grow in both skill and vision, and it reminded me that craftsmanship is about always pushing forward, finding solutions, and creating something that feels one-of-a-kind.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATT GARCIA | CRAFTSMAN HARDWOOD FLOORING

Do you have a morning routine that sets you up for success? With four kids between the ages of 6 and 13, my mornings are all about getting everyone ready for school and out the door. I’d love to say I start each day with Zen meditation and yoga stretches, but that’s just not reality right now. What helps me is planning my day the night before so I can hit the ground running with a clear strategy. What keeps you busy outside of work? Outside of work, most of my time is spent with my family. There always is a game, practice, or activity to be part of, and I love getting involved – whether it’s coaching or just cheering from the sidelines. Even though I’m landlocked in Texas, I haven’t given up on surfing. I still get out there when I can and surf a few waves. Between family, sports, and the occasional trip to the ocean, life stays full in all the best ways.

system – giving craftsmen a clear path to grow, earn, and take pride in their work. I also believe in investing in solid business strategies that allow everyone to win – the business grows stronger, clients get a better experience, and the team has more opportunities. Seeing people and the business thrive together is what truly fuels me. Who has influenced your career the most and why? My dad was the first and biggest influence on my career, teaching me the value of hard work and the pride that comes from doing things right the first time. Later in my career, Lenny Hall became a major inspiration and eventually mentored me through some of my most challenging projects. What are you reading right now? Right now, I’m diving into “Buy Back Your Time” by Dan Martell. It’s been a game-changer for how I view leadership, delegation, and

building a business that provides both me and my team with more margin in life.

You can listen to a technical-focused discussion between Matt Garcia and NWFA’s Brett Miller, as well as other hardwood flooring experts by visiting HARDWOODFLOORSMAG.COM/NWFA-WOOD-TALK-PODCAST.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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