By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
The ideals and business strategies behind Northern Flooring are much more than just polite recommendations on remodels and an affinity for unique hardwood options.
Those ideals reach beyond point of sale and extends back into a large effort to support charities and other business.
It was this attention to giving back that led Orion Area Chamber of Commerce to naming Northern Flooring owner Matt Pfeiffer the 2015-2016 Business Person of the Year.
Pfeiffer, a life-long Lake Orion native from Keatington, purchased Northern Flooring in 2004 and after coming out of the dismal times of housing market meltdown, he made a commitment that his business would be a voice for supporting the community.
‘I was born and raised here. My kids go to school here. This is my community and for years we’ve tried to be a central location to give back to the community,? Pfeiffer said. ‘We use over half of our marketing dollars towards charities and giving back.?
Pfeiffer’s involvement within the community has extended beyond his business. He volunteers at the high school sitting in on senior exit presentations.
He’s a member of the OACC and he sits on a national advisory board of cooperatives that do nationwide community and charitable projects.
Northern Flooring worked with Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh to raise money for Shop with a Hero and helped raise funds for charities through fundraisers involved with the family of fallen US Marine Corp Staff Sergeant Raymond Plouhar.
According to Pfeiffer, in order to be a recipient of the award you must be voted upon by the OACC board and for the first time in the awards history, all members of the OACC were able to vote.
In addition to being in good standing, the Business Person of the Year must exemplify giving back to the community, supporting chamber functions and businesses, and give back to charities.
‘I want to continue to be a voice to encourage other businesses to use the model that we use in terms of adjusting marketing towards community,? Pfeiffer said. ‘My biggest goal is to try and do more of that and try to lead and be a central hub in that regard.?
Pfeiffer now looks to spend more time devoted to community outreach and charitable events. He wants to have less involvement on the operational end of the business and more commitment on helping others. He has no plans of uprooting from Lake Orion as he sees this community as being one of the most unique around.
‘Our area is unique and different and has bigger heart, I think, than most and I think that the more people embrace that and celebrate it the better and more successful our area will be.?