MIRA Floors & Interiors team members at a Better Business Bureau event
SURREY – The need for greater female representation in the flooring world was a long time coming, and the effects have been particularly dynamic for MIRA Floors & Interiors.
MIRA provides flooring and installation services ranging from Carpet to Hardwood to Tile and everything in between, including products for walls and ceilings.
Kevin and Nikki Bergstresser founded the company, originally called Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings, in 2002. Since 2020, MIRA has more than doubled in size and continues to grow. They have consistently empowered women within their team, and several departments are led by women – something that is fairly rare in a traditionally male-dominated industry. A trio of key personnel have been instrumental in its growth.
Sandy Campbell is a Project Manager at MIRA, and started in 2006 as an office manager, with various roles and responsibilities before becoming a full-time salesperson in 2009.
“It was an exciting time during the early years watching the business grow, sensing a nucleus that was about to explode. Which it did and has continued to grow steadily over the years,” Sandy recalls. Today, Sandy continues to build and grow relationships with various accounts in construction/new builds, restoration, strata property managers, and designers, in both commercial and residential projects.
“My responsibilities include quoting and managing projects, strengthening current accounts relationally and adding new accounts through referrals, various builder organizations, networks and property management associations. This includes regular events for connecting which in turn helps me meet more target customers/accounts,” she notes. “Based on the number of years I have flourished in this company I can say I’ve felt very supported. Through discussions and training with the many parts of being a project manager the company has had my back.”
Kelsey Shipley is a Project Manager who started in 2011 as a marketing co-op student. She began her current role initially replacing a co-worker on maternity leave. She enjoyed it so much she stayed in it.
“I thought it would be interesting to try the sales side of things,” she recalls. “I was asked ‘if you ever want to go into sales, it’s always open’, but I would always say no. One day I said I wouldn’t mind trying it. I was very nervous at first. Ten years later, I am still in this role!”
Most of the work she does is directly for clients, from quotations to product consultation and specifications to project management.
“It’s all about sharing our expertise,” she explains. “My main business sectors are construction companies, suite rental turnover, and custom home builders. I also do a lot of work for strata property managers, and my work is very relationship based.”
MIRA Floors & Interiors installing at Schluter
Kelsey enjoys the variety her position offers, as every day is different, meeting new clients and helping solve their problems.
“You feel like you’re forever learning,” she notes. “Women are still kind of the minority in the industry, but it’s great working for a company where the department heads are women. So much has gone into the culture that is being created by the people that work here, that have made our workplace an inclusive workplace where people are always comfortable.
Kelsey Kidd is also a Project Manager, and started at MIRA part-time in 2012.
“I love being in outside sales and having the opportunity to meet new people, be on new job sites and learn new things,” she states. “As is in most construction trades, there are always situations that arise that require quick problem solving and alternate solutions. It keeps every day different and exciting, which is what I love most about this position.”
Women are front and centre and helping lead the way at MIRA Floors & Interiors
MIRA was flexible with Kelsey as she navigated some health-related issues, and returned to outside sales/project management in January.
“I appreciate that I have been able to move through different roles within the company depending on what I needed in my personal life at the time – the constant has always been to care for myself as an individual,” she adds.
Kevin summarizes the company.
“Our focus continues to be on building great relationships over time with our core customer groups in construction, home building, renovation/TI work, property management, restoration and design,” he says. “Technologies have changed and support us differently and in most cases better, but the core principle of relationship remains.”
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