Floorology(TM) | Five-Star Interiors continued its commitment to developing the next generation of skilled-trades professionals at the fifth annual Build My Future Northcentral Wisconsin event. Organized by the Wausau Area Builders Association, Build My Future brought together approximately 1,300 students from area schools for hands-on exposure to careers throughout the building and skilled-trades industries.
“Students need opportunities to discover what they are capable of, and sometimes that begins by simply putting a tool in their hands,” said Floorology President Kelly Knipper. “The skilled trades offer meaningful work, valuable lifelong skills, and tremendous career potential. We were honored to help students experience that for themselves.”
She and Floorology co-founder and lead installer Tim Knipper participated alongside Fred Zimmer, territory manager for CUSTOM Building Products. Together, they introduced students to professional tile installation and gave them the opportunity to work directly with tile-setting materials and tools.
Knipper, Central and Northern Wisconsin’s only Certified Tile Installer (CTI), guided students through the hands-on activities while explaining the preparation, technical knowledge, and craftsmanship required for a successful tile installation.
More than a one-day commitment
Floorology’s involvement in Build My Future was not a one-time activity. It is part of the company’s broader, multiyear commitment to strengthening skilled-trades education and creating more local pathways into the flooring and tile industries and the skilled trades as a whole.
Beginning in 2022, Knipper brought the need for professional floorcovering installation training to Northcentral Technical College (NTC). Those early conversations helped initiate NTC’s outreach to the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF), a national nonprofit dedicated to addressing the shortage of qualified flooring installers. Floorology remained involved as the concept progressed, participating in planning discussions and an industry advisory meeting as NTC developed its Floor Installation Technician Certificate program—the first training opportunity of its kind brought to the Wausau area.
The company also donated flooring products and materials to support the program’s hands-on instruction. In 2025, NTC celebrated the completion of its first cohort and recognized Floorology’s support and partnership in helping make the program possible.
“We didn’t want to simply talk about the labor shortage; we wanted to help create a solution here in our own community,” Knipper said. “Bringing the need to Northcentral Technical College, helping establish the connection with industry education resources, contributing materials, and remaining involved as the program developed were all part of the same goal: giving people a meaningful path into these careers.”
Floorology continues to encourage young people to view the skilled trades as respected, professional careers that can provide financial stability, advancement, business ownership, and the satisfaction of creating something lasting.
“Not every successful future begins with a four-year degree,” Knipper stressed. “Our industry needs talented young people who take pride in learning, creating, and doing things the right way. When local businesses, educators, and industry organizations work together, we can give students opportunities they may never have known existed.”
Floorology extends its sincere appreciation to the Wausau Area Builders Association, event leaders Aaron Beyer of Modern Builders & Suppliers and Matt Ross of Ross Construction, Kolbe Windows & Doors, CUSTOM Building Products, participating schools, volunteers, sponsors, and fellow exhibitors whose collective efforts made Build My Future possible.
“An event of this size takes an extraordinary amount of leadership, planning, and community support,” Knipper said. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who invested their time and energy into giving students this experience. It was a privilege for Floorology to participate.”
About Floorology(TM) | Five-Star Interiors
Floorology(TM) | Five-Star Interiors is a retail showroom, design center, and full-service interior design-build firm based in Rothschild, Wis., serving homeowners and building professionals throughout Central and Northern Wisconsin. From individual flooring and tile updates to full-service remodeling and new-construction interiors, Floorology brings together thoughtful interior design, carefully selected materials, and skilled craftsmanship. Floorology is Wisconsin’s only NTCA Five-Star Accredited Residential Contractor and the employer of Central and Northern Wisconsin’s only Certified Tile Installer.
