Charles 'Chip' Jones is the new owner of a local franchise for Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings, which proudly 'brings the showroom directly to you,' he boasts.
Jones, 44, a Lakeview resident originally from Detroit, is among a growing number of gay business owners looking to tap into the LGBT community and beyond. He is a member of the Chicago Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and his region runs from the South Loop to the West Loop up to Evanston.
Nationwide Floors and Windows offers hundreds of styles and thousands of colors of today's most popular floor and window coverings, highlighted by the convenience of its mobile 'shop-at-home' service.
'The mobile shop-at-home service is a great value for the customer; thus, they are able to shop in their own home, in their [ home's ] lighting, and at a time that's convenient for them,' Jones said. 'I can show customers a variety of flooring samples from hardwoods to vinyl to tile to carpet to area rugs, plus a variety of window coverings.' And they are from all of the major brands, he added.
Jones' offers literally hundreds of styles which he brings with him on house visits.
'Like any business, it can be difficult at the beginning, but hopefully it will blossom and grow,' said Jones, who has a background in sales and marketing. 'I'd like to be able to afford to bring others on board to work with me, and eventually teach them what I know.'
For more information on Nationwide Floor & Window Coverings, contact Jones at 773-935-8700 or visit www.floorsandwindows.com .
Photo of Charles Jonescourtesy of Jones.