Mexican Immigrant Opens Flooring Showroom in Reno
Date: September 17, 2021
Miguel Estrada
Co-owner, Best Hardwood Flooring
Miguel Estrada’s personal story mirrors the rise of Reno. After coming here from Mexico City in 1993 at age 18, he started working as a cleaner in a factory that built airplane parts. Yet a supervisor recognized his industriousness and trained him to be a machine operator. A few years later, he worked in construction and learned the trade of metal framing. Then came more jobs at other companies installing windows and hardwood flooring.
Finally, in 2005, after more than two decades of acquiring an impressive collection of skills, a friend said, “Why don’t you start your own business?” Within a few months Estrada had a partner in his brother Cesar, a contractor’s license and a name for his store—Best Hardwood Flooring.
Five years later, the brothers decided to open a showroom on Mill Street. Then in 2015, they took another leap and moved to a 19,000-square-foot building among other upscale contractors and furniture retailers on Kietzke Lane.
Today, they have 20 employees, an expanded product line and a reputation as a go-to source for custom builders seeking high-end flooring, carpet, tile and countertops. Estrada says his business is flourishing just like Reno.
The city is growing so fast. A lot of big companies are moving here, like Tesla, Amazon and Google. And lots of California people are moving here. It’s a good place to be. It’s beautiful. There’s low crime and friendly people.
Miguel Estrada
Estrada is thankful for the programs and classes offered through the Nevada Small Business Development Center, especially those for Hispanic entrepreneurs as well as the pool of skilled workers. “A lot of immigrants come here for construction because these jobs pay well. They become very skilled expert artisans,” says Estrada. Yet he wishes there was a pathway for these workers—many of whom are undocumented—to get legal residency. His business needs their talents. And if the area wants to continue to grow, so does Reno.
