Dan Kahn is the President and Co-Owner of Floors To Your Home, a four-generation family business founded in 1921. Based in Indianapolis, the company has built a reputation over more than 100 years for combining strong buying discipline with consistent customer service.
Kahn grew up around the business and stepped into leadership in 1986 alongside his brother, Marshall. Since then, he has helped guide the company through major changes in the retail and ecommerce landscape while staying rooted in its original values.
“My company was founded on the highest ethical principles by my grandfather,” Kahn says. “We’ve kept those strong traditions of honesty and excellence in customer service in place for future generations.”
One of Kahn’s key contributions has been reinforcing a warehouse-first business model. Rather than relying on third-party suppliers, the company owns and stores the majority of its inventory. This allows for faster shipping and more direct control over the customer experience.
“We own and warehouse 99% of all the products you see displayed on our website,” he explains.
Kahn has also leaned into large-scale closeout buying. By purchasing discontinued and overstock flooring in bulk, the company has created a system that operates differently from many traditional retailers.
His leadership reflects a practical approach to growth. Focus on what works. Improve operations over time. Stay consistent.
Today, Floors To Your Home continues to evolve under his guidance, with the fourth generation now involved in the business.
A Conversation with Dan Kahn of Floors To Your Home
Q: You come from a long line of business owners. How did that shape your career?
I grew up around the business, so I saw how it worked from an early age. My grandfather founded the company in 1921. After he passed in 1948, my father took over and ran it until 1986. Then my brother and I stepped in.
You learn a lot just by being around it. You see how decisions are made. You see how customers are treated. That stays with you.
“My company was founded on the highest ethical principles by my grandfather,” Kahn says. “We’ve kept those strong traditions in place.”
Q: What were the biggest changes when you took over in 1986?
Retail was already starting to shift. Bigger chains were growing. Competition was increasing. We had to think carefully about how we would stay relevant.
We didn’t try to compete on everything. We focused on what we could do well.
That meant buying smart and building strong relationships with suppliers.
Q: One of your key strategies is buying closeout flooring. How did that come about?
It developed over time. We saw opportunities in discontinued and overstock products. Manufacturers and large retailers often need to move inventory quickly.
“Are you familiar with clothing or shoe outlet stores?” Kahn says. “We are just like those outlet stores, but we sell flooring.”
Once we leaned into that model, it became a core part of the business.
Q: You also chose to warehouse most of your inventory. Why was that important?
Control. That’s the main reason.
A lot of companies don’t actually own what they sell. They list products and then order them from someone else after the customer buys.
“We own and warehouse 99% of all the products you see displayed on our website,” Kahn says.
That gives us more control over shipping, accuracy, and communication.
Q: What impact does that have on the customer experience?
It reduces uncertainty.
If you own the product, you know exactly what you have. You know when it will ship. You can check it before it goes out.
“We double and triple check before any flooring is shipped out,” Kahn says. “We will personally call you to let you know that your flooring has shipped.”
It’s about making the process clearer for the customer.
Q: Flooring is a major purchase. How do you help customers feel confident buying online?
We try to give them as much information as possible.
We photograph and scan all our products ourselves. We also encourage customers to order samples.
“Nothing compares to holding a piece of the actual flooring in your home,” Kahn says.
It helps them make a more informed decision.
Q: Your inventory is always changing. How do you manage that?
That’s part of the business. When you’re dealing with closeouts, you can’t always restock the same product.
“With many of our offers, once we run out we may never get to bring them back in,” Kahn says.
We focus on keeping a strong range of options available and bringing in new inventory regularly.
Q: What has leadership meant to you over the years?
It’s about consistency.
You don’t need to reinvent everything. You need to understand what works and build on it.
We’ve stayed focused on buying well, serving customers, and running the business responsibly.
Q: What do you think has helped the business last for over 100 years?
A long-term mindset.
We’re not just thinking about today. We’re thinking about the next generation.
“Our flooring experts have years of experience,” Kahn says. “They can help you pick the right floor for the right environment.”
That kind of knowledge and service builds trust over time.
Read more:
Inside Floors To Your Home with Dan Kahn
