The Sydney tour continues on The Underlay as Matt and Michael head to the Northern Beaches to visit Flooring Xtra Mona Vale, where they sit down with young business owner Campbell for an honest and inspiring conversation about flooring, family, and building a business from the ground up.

At just 27 years old, Campbell has already built a thriving flooring business alongside his mum after opening the store right in the middle of COVID back in 2021. Coming from a carpentry background, Campbell explains how a passion for flooring unexpectedly took over his original dream of becoming a builder, eventually leading him into retail, installation and business ownership.

The episode dives deep into the realities of running a modern flooring store, from customer service and team culture, to warehouse systems, installation management and the importance of empowering staff. Campbell shares how the business has grown through trust, hard work and putting the customer first, while also reflecting on the influence his mum's work ethic and entrepreneurial mindset had on shaping his own career.

Floor preparation becomes a major topic throughout the discussion, with the team reinforcing a message repeated across the industry: great floors start with proper prep. From hybrids and timber through to vinyl plank installations, the conversation explores why honest communication with customers and realistic expectations are essential for long-term flooring performance.

The episode also touches on the growing popularity of glue-down vinyl plank flooring, the return to direct-stick systems, and the evolving preferences of homeowners across the Northern Beaches market.

It's a fun, insightful and highly relatable episode about hard work, culture and building a flooring business the right way.

#TheUnderlayPodcast #FlooringXtraMonaVale #FlooringIndustry #NorthernBeaches #FloorPreparation #VinylPlankFlooring #AustralianTrades #FlooringEducation #CleverChoiceFlooring #HybridFlooring

Part Two of The Underlay's massive Clever Choice product deep dive sees Matt and Senior Sales Manager Greg Harvey tackle the category that changed the Australian flooring market forever, hybrid flooring. Alongside that, the episode also explores Clever's evolving timber range and the return of the product that started it all, bamboo.

Greg breaks down why Clever Choice hybrids have earned such a strong reputation across the industry, explaining how product design, QC processes, and real-world installer feedback have helped set Clever apart in the overcrowded hybrid market. From the entry-level Fusion through to premium ranges like Scenic and Chevron, the discussion highlights the importance of matching the right product to the right home, subfloor and customer expectations.

The episode also dives into the aesthetics of modern flooring, from super-matte finishes and natural timber embossing to long, wide board formats that completely transform a space. Matt and Greg revisit Project Miriah as a real-world example of how Clever's ranges can seamlessly work together across vinyl, hybrid and staircase applications.

Timber flooring then takes centre stage, with Greg unpacking the refreshed timber portfolio, including Pure, Meadows, Beauty and Earthlandia. The conversation explains the difference between clean-grade and feature-grade timber, why ash is becoming increasingly popular, and why direct stick installation continues to deliver the best long-term results.

Finally, the boys finish where Clever Choice originally began, with bamboo. Once written off by parts of the industry, bamboo is quietly making a comeback, and Greg explains why proper installation and education are changing perceptions once again.

This is essential listening for retailers, installers and anyone wanting a genuine understanding of modern flooring products.

#TheUnderlayPodcast #CleverChoiceFlooring #HybridFlooring #TimberFlooring #BambooFlooring #FlooringIndustry #FlooringEducation #AustralianTrades #FlooringInnovation #InstallerInsights

In this episode of The Underlay, Matt sits down with Clever Choice Flooring's Senior Sales Manager and product specialist Greg Harvey to break down the full Clever product range in a detailed, no-nonsense overview. With so much value packed into the conversation, this is Part One of a two-part deep dive into what makes the Clever Choice offering one of the most complete in the Australian flooring market.

Starting with laminate, Greg walks through the full suite from entry-level budget options right through to premium long and wide board solutions, explaining the real-world benefits of scratch resistance, water resistance and board construction. The conversation highlights how different products suit different homes, from quick renovation flips to long-term family living, and why understanding the customer's needs is key to getting the right result.

The episode then shifts into vinyl, where Clever Choice is making a major push in 2026. Greg explains why vinyl is the most universal flooring product in Australia and how the brand is evolving its range to meet demand across both metro and regional markets. From budget-friendly solutions to premium, design-led products like Voyager, the focus is on balancing performance, aesthetics and ease of installation.

A key theme throughout the episode is feedback. From installers to retailers, Clever Choice is constantly refining its products based on real-world input, ensuring every range continues to improve and stay relevant in a competitive market.

This is an essential listen for retailers, installers and anyone looking to truly understand flooring products beyond the surface.

#TheUnderlayPodcast #CleverChoiceFlooring #FlooringIndustry #LaminateFlooring #VinylFlooring #FlooringProducts #InstallerInsights #FlooringEducation #AustralianTrades #FlooringInnovation