VALDOSTA — Being an entrepreneur isn’t always easy and everyone does it a little differently. Some open online stores, while others open brick-and-mortar storefronts.

Some go all in and invest their lives into a new venture, while others start a new business as something to do on the side. Regardless of the type, entrepreneurs help drive the local economy.

Tim Watson was 16 years old when he was first introduced to the floor-covering business by his dad, Charlie Watson, he said. 

The elder Watson started Lakeland Floor Covering in 1981, and Tim Watson opened Valdosta Carpet Center February 1987, he said.

“I just thought it was a good opportunity to start something ground floor with my family,” he said. “Valdosta was really growing, at the time, and that’s when we decided to put the business over here in 1987. We’ve seen a lot of growth here.”

The family business continued with Jarrod Watson, Tim’s son. He co-owns the Valdosta Carpet Center with his dad.

Tim said there’s importance in the fact that VCC is locally and family owned.

“It’s not just a nameless, faceless corporation that’s doing (customers’) work,” he said. “We live off word of mouth; we live off reputation, and we stand behind what we sell. We don’t just sell it and run.”

VCC is the city’s second longest-standing floor-covering business offering products such as carpet, tile, vinyl, luxury vinyl plank, tile showers and more, Tim Watson said.

Daltile, Mohawk, American Olean, Floorte, Armstrong and SmartStrand are some of the brands that can be found at VCC. Dreamweaver is the top seller, he said.

VCC products sell for at least $1.50 per square foot and at the most $6 per square foot, he said.

The carpet center prides itself on having installers who exclusively work for VCC, and the company caters to both commercial and residential needs, Tim Watson said.

“We do a pretty good mix of residential and commercial,” he said. “We do apartment work, multi-family housing, pretty much everything.”

VCC has supported local organizations such as the Humane Society of Valdosta and ChrisMill Homes, a custom home-building organization founded by Bill Gaskins and Ernie Norton.

“I think it’s important for people to know that we’re Christians, and we believe in conducting ourselves and our business in a Christian-like manner,” Tim Watson said.

The Valdosta Carpet Center, 4123 Bemiss Road, is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday though Friday. For more information, visit valdostacarpetcenter.com.

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.