For Hilary Merritt, the best satisfaction she gets in her job is not landing a new client. It’s hearing a homeowner say, “That was much easier than I expected.”
As a design consultant with Flooring America WNC, a locally owned flooring company in Hendersonville, Merritt has built her reputation around making clients feel genuinely supported throughout the building and remodeling process.
“I take pride in earning my clients’ trust and in simplifying what can often feel like an overwhelming process,” Merritt says.
That people-first mindset helped earn Merritt the 2025 Affiliate of the Year award from the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM).
“Being selected as Affiliate of the Year is a tremendous honor,” Merritt says. “On a personal level, it affirms that I’ve made a meaningful, positive impact within the association and the community. Professionally, it reinforces the value of the time I invest and motivates me to continue contributing in ways that strengthen both the organization and my own growth.”
Discovering a Creative Calling
Merritt’s path into the building industry started early. Her father worked as a general contractor, and as a kid, she spent plenty of time wandering the aisles of home improvement stores and visiting jobsites alongside him. By her teenage years, she was already taking on small design projects of her own.
“What 17-year-old paints her bedroom ‘Chai Spice’ in the early 2000s?” Merritt says with a laugh. “The answer: this gal.”
Though she always gravitated toward creative spaces, her path into the industry was far from linear.
After moving from Florida to North Carolina in 2009, Merritt built a career in hospitality and event coordination, eventually joining the staff at The Omni Grove Park Inn. There, she developed a fascination with architecture and design.
“I immersed myself in learning about the hotel’s original architecture, building methods from the early 1900s, and the intention behind its design features,” she says.
That interest eventually led her to Western Carolina University, where she completed a degree in business and entrepreneurship with coursework in interior design. During her final semester in 2019, she applied for a sales role at Flooring America in Hendersonville despite having no flooring experience.
“What I did have was a strong service mindset, curiosity, and a willingness to learn,” Merritt says. “With the support of a manager who took a chance on me and a supportive team of colleagues, I quickly translated my hospitality background into success in a new industry that I continue to grow in and genuinely enjoy.”
Navigating Personal Loss and Growth
Just as Merritt began her career in the flooring industry, her mother received a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. At the same time, Merritt was working to establish herself in a new field amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The prolonged stress took a toll on her own health. Ten days after her mother passed away, Merritt underwent major surgery herself.
“That experience taught me resilience, adaptability, and perspective,” she says. “I’ve learned to stay focused on what truly matters at the end of the day, how to manage stress more effectively, and how to approach challenges with confidence, knowing I can handle far more than I once believed.”
Today, Merritt says those experiences shape the way she approaches her work and her relationships with clients. Rather than focusing on sales tactics or transactions, she prioritizes authenticity.
“I always try to show up at work as the same person that I am outside of it,” she says. “My focus is on being genuine, building real connections, and guiding clients in a way that feels supportive rather than transactional.”
Strengthening Industry Connections
Beyond her work with clients, Merritt has become increasingly involved with the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains (BABRM), recently joining the association’s Board of Directors. In her new role, she hopes to play a more active part in supporting both the organization and the regional building community it serves.
“I’m honored to be nominated to the Board of Directors and excited about the opportunity to contribute in a greater capacity,” she says. “My involvement with the association has shown me the value of collaboration and connection within our industry. I hope to bring a positive, engaged perspective and help support the continued growth of our community.”
Join a Strong Community of Industry Leaders
BABRM is guided by members who are committed to strengthening the building industry through leadership, collaboration, and community involvement. Join BABRM to connect with fellow professionals and take an active role in shaping the future of building in Western North Carolina.
