Two days ago I had the opportunity to learn from Corey, and honestly, I walked away with more than just knowledge about VCT flooring. I learned the INS AND OUTS of the job—the things you can read in a book, watch in a video, or even learn in a classroom, but that experience in the field teaches you differently. Corey showed me the process from start to finish: understanding the floor, identifying what you’re actually dealing with, properly preparing the VCT, stripping, cleaning, neutralizing, applying finish, and paying attention to the details that ultimately determine the quality of the finished product. But one thing he said really stuck with me: “POSTURE.” Your posture will determine the job. That hit me. Your posture isn’t just how you stand. It’s how you approach the work. It’s how you present yourself. It’s how you communicate with the customer. It’s how you carry yourself when something doesn’t go according to plan. And one of the biggest lessons was: NEVER SELL YOURSELF SHORT. Not every job is your job. That’s okay. You don’t have to say yes to every job just to get paid. Know your capabilities. Know your limitations. Know when a job requires something outside of your expertise. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “That’s not a job I’m equipped to take on.” Another lesson that really stood out: NEVER GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL GET A STAIN OUT. Instead, set the expectation: “We’re going to make it look better than it was before.” That’s honest. That’s professional. And that’s something I can stand behind. You don’t get “dinged” because a stain that has been sitting in a floor for years doesn’t completely disappear. What matters is that you properly assess the floor, use the right process, do everything within your ability, and leave that floor better than you found it. That lesson hit home for me because I remember doing a floor job about 10 years ago that simply didn’t go well. At the time, I didn’t have the knowledge, experience, or understanding that I have now.