With five daughters under the age of 10 (three biological, two foster), Aaron Ritter and his wife Maechell are busy. But the couple always finds time to get into nature with their girls.
“Trails, rock climbing, hiking, floating rivers – we’re a very outdoorsy family,” says Aaron, noting some of their favorite places to visit are Olympic National Forest, and local places like Millersylvania State Park and Priest Point Park in Olympia.
Aaron is able to share his love of nature with his family by turning his second nature – custom hardwood flooring – into his home business, Ritter Flooring, LLC.
Initially learning the trade from an Italian craftsman, Aaron has more than 15 years of combined industry experience.
“It takes a long time to learn,” remarks Aaron. “My method is original and old-school. I nail by hand rather than by pneumatic tools.”
Aaron has a strong connection to the outdoors, with a childhood filled with camping and hiking around Washington. And Maechell, a child therapist, grew up on five acres in Lake Stevens. After joining the US Army and being stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord, the Ritters moved to the Olympia-area, where Aaron has been growing his business.
From million-dollar homes in Ruston Way, to tiny houses in Tumwater, Aaron does it all – and he does it with pride. He enjoys the custom work he does on transitions and around corners, wrapping pillars or edging fireplaces.
“I once did an acacia floor… a ¾” 1,300 square-foot nail down,” he reminisces. “That is the best, most beautiful floor I’ve ever done.”
Consulting is a big part of the service Aaron provides, and he admits that sometimes he has to coach people into thinking outside the box.
“Most people try and get flooring that matches cabinetry and trim, and that’s absolutely what you do not want to do,” he says. “Typically, I will go to a client’s home, see what they are looking for, take measurements, talk about what works best, like thresholds for transition, soft woods versus hardwood or vinyl plank for water-proofing or kids. Then I send them to a store to pick up what they want.”
“I will do everything in my power to find the best product for them at a good value,” he concludes.
It’s this type of attention that sets Ritter Flooring apart and keeps Aaron looking forward to a positive future. Doing business with a customer means they are treated like family, he says.
“My values are family first always,” he explains. “With my business, it is customer first. So in a sense, my customers are kind of like family.”
Family and work balance is a must for the big family, and Ritter finds a way to reconnect by getting into nature.
So what outdoor adventure is the Ritter family up to next?
A family favorite – a camping trip to Salmon La Sac near Ellensburg, where the sounds of kids playing in the woods is inspiration to Aaron to keep striving for the best, both with his family, and his business.
Contact Aaron Ritter at (360) 338-2740 or visit www.ritterflooring.com.
