Meet Carl & Louise Smith
The Family Behind Bestbind Flooring & Carpet Binding
From a garage startup to Staffordshire's premier flooring specialists - discover the family story behind our commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and personal service.
Our Story
Why We Started Bestbind
Bestbind wasn't born from a business plan; it was born from real life.
When Louise couldn't find employment that fit around childcare, she stepped away from work entirely for three years. Carl was fitting floors for others, doing what he did best, but watching how the industry worked from the inside. It was Carl who spotted what was missing: customers with carpet offcuts and no one to finish them properly, a genuine need for a quality carpet binding service that didn't exist locally.
So they bought a machine, Louise came back to work on her own terms, in a business they built themselves, around the family they had always put first.
That one machine in a garage in Burntwood became the foundation of everything Bestbind is today.
Today - and What's Coming Next
Nine years in business, two showrooms, and a team that genuinely loves what they do.
Now serving families and businesses across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, Bestbind has grown into one of the region's most trusted flooring specialists. Carl still personally handles every installation. Louise still personally handles every customer. Sally runs the Amerton Farm showroom and workshop with the same care and attention that has always defined the Bestbind way. And in 2026, the next chapter begins, a brand new showroom opening in Eccleshall, bringing Bestbind's bespoke flooring expertise to even more of Staffordshire.
The garage dream became something rather special.
The Perfect Partnership
Carl Smith - Master Craftsman
25+ years of flooring expertise,
Before founding Bestbind, Carl built his expertise working with some of the UK's largest flooring retailers, including Carpet Right, United Carpets, and Allied Carpets.
He left corporate flooring to build something better, a business where quality and personal service come first, every time.
Carl works from our workshop in Hixon, ST18 0TH, where all installations are planned, materials are prepared, and the more complex flooring work gets done.
Louise Smith - Customer Experience Expert
With 10 years of marketing and business expertise, Louise ensures that every customer receives exceptional service and communication. Her business acumen perfectly complements Carl's technical skills.
Together they create: Expert craftsmanship + Outstanding customer service = The complete Bestbind experience
Sally - Carpet Binding Specialist
Sally has been part of the Bestbind family for three years and is the friendly face you'll meet when you walk through the door at Amerton Farm.
She learned carpet binding completely on the job and has become a genuinely skilled specialist, every piece of binding that leaves the workshop has had Sally's hands on it. She keeps the showroom organised, makes sure nothing gets missed, and loves getting stuck in.
Taking Sally on also meant something personal to Carl and Louise. As parents themselves, they knew how hard it can be to find good work that fits around family life, so they made a point of offering flexible hours for mums returning to work. It's the kind of thing a real family business can do, and be proud of.
Corey - Apprentice & Future Craftsman
Every great trade needs the next generation to carry it forward, and Corey is ours. A young lad from our own village who wanted a real chance to learn a proper trade with his hands,
Corey joined the Bestbind family as our apprentice and hasn't looked back since.
You'll find him alongside Carl on installations and in the workshop, learning every aspect of the flooring trade from one of the best in the business.
For Carl and Louise, taking Corey on was never just about finding an extra pair of hands, it was about giving something back to the community that has supported Bestbind from the very beginning. Watching a young person discover a craft they love and build a future from it? That's what a family business is all about.
Experience Our Workshop at Amerton Farm
Visit Our workshop and Showroom
See our craftsmanship in action at our beautiful Staffordshire location. Watch carpet-binding processes, browse our complete sample library, and enjoy a personal consultation with Carl and Louise.
Workshop Details:
- Location: Amerton Farm, Stowe-by-Chartley, Stafford, ST18 0LA
- Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- What to expect: Workshop tours, material viewing, and relaxed consultation
- Family friendly: Children are welcome to see the magic happen
Ready to Start Your Project?
Let's Have a Conversation
Carl and Louise believe every great project starts with a conversation. Whether you have a specific vision or just want to explore possibilities, we'd love to chat!
Contact us:
- Phone: 01889741391
- Email: hello@bestbind.co.uk
- Home visits: We come to you with samples
- Workshop visits: See our facilities firsthand
Our networking community
Part of the Staffordshire Business Community
Bestbind is proud to be an active member of the Staffordshire business community.
We're members of the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, The Federation of Small Businesses and regularly network with local businesses through Networkin and Grafters - two of Staffordshire's most active business networking groups.
Being part of these groups isn't just about finding new customers - it's about building genuine relationships with other Staffordshire businesses, supporting the local economy, and being part of a community that looks out for each other. If you're a fellow member of any of these groups and need flooring or carpet services, we'd love to hear from you.