Hillman Flooring is well known throughout the community for providing professional, high-quality design, remodeling, and installation services. Founded by Jim and Cathy Hillman, the family-run business has been around since 1990, and during that time Cathy has become known throughout Suwanee for her warm and caring personality.
Please tell us a little about your family.
I was born in England, the oldest of eight children, to an Irish mom and American dad who was in the Air Force. Being an Air Force brat, we travelled, and I was fortunate to live most of my childhood in England, where I spent summers in Ireland and had lots of cousins in and around London. Jim was born and raised in Florida, but it was in Great Falls, Montana, where we met when he was in the Air Force, and I was in college. We have been married for more than 43 years and have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Our oldest daughter, Elisa, worked for us until she had her second child and is now a stay-at-home mom with three children. Jim and Elisa live in Sugar Hill so are very close to the shop. David has worked in the business since serving in the Navy after high school and oversees the builder division. David is married to Candice, and they have two babies, one year and one month old, and live in Sugar Hill. Our youngest, Michael, owns a State Farm agency in Cumming. He is married to Jenny, and they have two children and live in Milton. At least once a month, we try to all get together for dinner at our house. Since the grandkids range in age from almost 14 down to babies, sometimes it is hard with all their activities and sporting events. But we always have a fun time!
Tell us about your current and past career. What do you love most about it?
Jim and I started our business in 1990, so this year will be our 33rd year in business. It’s hard to believe but it has flown by. Previously, I was an underwriter for an insurance company but when the third baby came along, we decided it was time for me to stay home. When we started our business, I was back to work but the kids always came first. We could not afford daycare, so I toted Mikey to and from the showroom until he started nursery school at Shadowbrook Baptist Church.
Over the course of 33 years, we have grown from a husband/wife company selling ceramic tile and installation, to one that employs a full team of designers, project managers, subcontractors, customer service personnel, operations and warehouse staff. We’ve expanded our state-of-the-art showroom to include ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone, carpet, hardwood, and countertops, as well as cabinets and accessories. Our goal has always been to bring a vision to reality for both retail and custom-build customers. We are blessed to have a dedicated staff who share the same passion of doing what we love.
What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
We love Bistro in Winder, Bare Bones in Buford, and Antebellum in Flowery Branch. But to be honest we really love to stay home and cook our favorite meals on the grill. Jim is a fabulous cook!
How long have you lived or worked here?
Jim and I moved to Suwanee in 1989 and started Hillman Flooring & Design in 1990. We lived in Suwanee until our youngest graduated from North Gwinnett High School. We then moved to the sleepy town of Braselton, which is no longer a sleepy town.
What is your favorite thing about Suwanee?
We love everything about Suwanee! It’s a great town to raise a family with great schools, parks, green space, and awesome restaurants, not to mention the proximity to Atlanta and the ’burbs.
What current or former business, or place, makes you feel the most nostalgic about Suwanee?
Shadowbrook Baptist Church, Suwanee Elementary, Lanier Middle and North Gwinnett High School all evoke great memories for Jim and I and our kids.
If you could take anyone to lunch, dead or alive, who would that be? Where would you go?
Tough question because there are so many people I admire. I would love to take my dad, who passed away seven years ago, to lunch. He was originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, and loved Southern cuisine, so I would take him somewhere for fried chicken, biscuits and gravy and sweet tea! I miss him so much.
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Capri, Italy. It is heavenly gorgeous!
What was the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
Doctor Dolittle so many years ago!
Tell me something that’s on your bucket list.
We try to mark one off every year! We just returned from two weeks in London, Paris, Colmar and Zurich. It was amazing and great to spend time with family in London and Zurich. I went cave-diving in Mexico earlier this year and am glad I did it!
What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
Be kind, be yourself, be generous and, most of all, be grateful.
Who is the most interesting person you have ever met in Suwanee?
Oh geez! The most interesting person I ever met in Suwanee was our old neighbor in Bayswater Common named Bridgit. She was originally from Denmark and was such an inspiration to me.
What type of music do you like?
I listen to all types of music depending on my mood. I love light classical when I’m working but ’70s music (the BEST) any other time.
Tell me something interesting about you that most people don’t know.
I am obsessed with genealogy and DNA! I love everything about it and have researched my family’s lineage and love discovering facts and tidbits about my ancestors.
Would you rather sing to a crowd of 50 people or speak to a crowd of 500?
Speak! I would love to sing but I’m not a singer!
