At 70 years old, Richard (Dick) Skaff shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, his family owned business, Skaff Furniture Carpet One in Flint (Mundy Township), is preparing for another major expansion. He’s CEO and president.
Along with his cousin Mike Skaff and his son Jeff Skaff, Dick continues the legacy that began in 1911, when his grandfather, George Skaff, emigrated from Lebanon at just 14 years old and began selling oriental rugs from a cart in downtown Flint. With Jeff joining as co-owner six-and-a-half years ago, the Skaff enterprise now proudly operates under its fourth generation of family leadership.
Through more than a century of economic ups and downs in the Flint area, Skaff Furniture Carpet One has remained a steady and trusted name in the community.
When Dick learned he had been chosen as My City Magazine’s 2025 Citizen of the Year, he graciously sat down to share his thoughts on family, faith, business, and giving back.
“Our goal is to have the same employees on January 1 as we do on December 31. It’s a family business — and everyone here is family.”
– Dick Skaff
Family, Faith, and Forty-Plus Years of Marriage
Celebrating his 70th birthday felt especially meaningful to Dick. He marked the occasion with a weekend trip to Chicago with his sons and sons-in-law and another weekend get-together with his high school friends. He and his wife, Kim, have been married nearly 44 years, and together they have five children and 16 grandchildren.
After earning his graduate degree, Dick began his career at IBM, selling computers for three years. He also worked part-time selling carpet but hadn’t expected to join the family business. “My career at IBM was going well,” he said, “but the family reached out to see if I wanted to be part of the business.” Despite the economic challenges of the early 1980s, Dick officially joined Skaff Furniture Carpet One in 1982. “Looking back, I’m so glad I made that move. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said.
Skaff Furniture Carpet One has been led by four generations of the Skaff family. Pictured are: (L-R) Jeff Skaff (Dick’s son), Dick Skaff and Mike Skaff (Dick’s cousin). | Photo courtesy of Skaff Furniture Carpet One
Dick Skaff poses in front of the Skaff Furniture Carpet One large iconic chair at the entrance of their Mundy Township showroom. | Photo courtesy of Sharon Stone
A Family Business Rooted in Flint
In the 1950s, the Skaffs operated a storefront at the corner of Harrison and Third streets in downtown Flint. Each generation has carried on the family’s reputation for quality products, great value, and outstanding customer service.
The second generation—Woody Skaff (Dick’s father) and his brothers, Don and Jack—expanded the business. The third generation—George, Tom, Dick, and Mike—continued that tradition, and now the fourth generation, led by Jeff, serves as co-owner and vice president.
“I really enjoy having Jeff here,” Dick said. “He’s smart, and I love being able to have lunch with him and talk business and basketball. He learned the business quickly and he’s added so much to the team.”
Dick added that Jeff has helped immensely with updating the business with the latest technology and he encouraged them to build a 30,000 square foot warehouse. Jeff also has taken the lead with the upcoming Kiba addition for kitchen and bath products.
The business moved to its current Mundy Township location in 1980 and joined Carpet One, a national network of 1,200 flooring dealers, in 1987. Later, in 2010, Skaff joined BrandSource, a buying group that helps independent furniture and appliance retailers stay competitive in today’s marketplace.
Looking Ahead: Introducing Kiba
To stay ahead of customer needs, the Skaff family is launching Kiba next spring — a full line of kitchen and bathroom products. The new addition will make Skaff Furniture Carpet One a one-stop shop for home furnishings, flooring, and renovation materials.
Photo courtesy of Sharon Stone
“We’re just beginning to spread the word,” Dick said. “It’s an exciting expansion that fits perfectly with what we already offer.”
Leading with Integrity and Heart
Skaff Furniture Carpet One currently employs 36 people, and Dick takes pride in the company’s strong culture. “Our goal,” he said, “is to have the same employees on January 1 as we do on December 31. It’s a family business — and everyone here is family.”
They host picnics at the Skaff home to reinforce that sense of unity and they encourage employees to take part in team building events at the store and to volunteer a couple of times a year at the food bank. “Things have changed, but the fundamentals are still important,” Dick emphasized. “We go out of our way to treat others the way we want to be treated.”
While technology has transformed the furniture industry — from online tools to power features in modern furniture — Skaff’s core values remain timeless: treat employees well and serve customers better.
Giving Back to the Community
Philanthropy is central to Skaff’s identity. The company supports more than 30 nonprofits throughout the region. “We’ve been very fortunate to support the community that has supported us,” Dick said. “It’s the right thing to do. It’s a joy — we build relationships, and some of those people have become our best friends.”
Skaff’s “Save & Share” Thanksgiving sale has raised $234,000 over the past 13 years for local nonprofits. During the four-day event, customers receive discounts and can choose any of four organizations to receive 5% of their purchase total. Customers also have the option of donating to all of the charities or choosing no preference. Organizations that will benefit from this promotion are Whaley Children’s Center, Communities First, Inc, Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and Carriage Town Ministries.
Life Beyond Business
Outside of work, Dick and Kim enjoy the outdoors — bicycling, hiking, and traveling — and love attending their grandchildren’s sports events. They are active members of First Presbyterian Church of Flint, where they participate in Bible studies, neighborhood breakfasts, and other ministries.
Recently, their entire family of 28 took a memorable trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “Family is important,” Dick said simply.
He credits his father for being his greatest influence. “Dad loved people, and people loved him,” Dick reflected. “He was a man of faith. He was positive, generous, and humble — a great role model. I’ll never be able to fill his shoes.”
The Big Chair and Bigger Legacy
Visitors to the Skaff Furniture Carpet One showroom are greeted by a massive chair near the front entrance — a local favorite that’s hosted thousands of visitors over the years, including Santa Claus himself. The chair has been reupholstered three times and continues to serve as a symbol of Skaff’s welcoming spirit.
As the company heads into its next chapter with Kiba and continued community involvement, one thing remains certain:
Dick Skaff’s legacy is built not only on furniture and flooring but on family, faith, and a lifetime of generosity.
