Former education CEO opens Floor Coverings International serving Northbrook and Chicago’s North Shore

A former education company CEO and his wife are bringing a new flooring business to Chicago’s North Shore with the opening of Floor Coverings International® in Northbrook.

Owned by Larry and Hannah Toban, the business recently opened and serves Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wheeling, Wilmette and Winnetka.

For Larry Toban, the move into business ownership marks a new chapter after 20 years as president and CEO of Real Estate Institute and Bookmark Education, where he helped grow a professional licensing education company serving more than 200,000 real estate, insurance, mortgage and other professionals.

After the successful sale of that business, Toban said he began thinking about what kind of venture he wanted to build next.

“After many years leading and growing a business in the education space, I reached a natural transition point following a successful sale of the company,” Larry Toban said. “I knew I wanted to build something again, but this time with a more local focus and a direct connection to the customers and community we serve.”

That search led him to Floor Coverings International, a brand built around its Mobile Flooring Showroom, which brings flooring samples directly to customers’ homes so they can compare styles and materials in their own space, lighting and décor. Toban said the business model immediately stood out because it combined convenience with a more guided, service-oriented customer experience.

“The in-home shopping experience felt like a natural evolution of retail,” he said. “It brings convenience, better decision-making, and a more personalized experience to the customer. Flooring projects can be stressful for homeowners, and I saw an opportunity to bring a more organized, thoughtful, and well-managed approach to that experience.”

Toban said his background in strategic planning, operations and customer experience helped prepare him to lead a service-based business where communication and execution matter just as much as the finished product.

“My background has consistently centered on building and scaling service-oriented businesses,” he said. “At Floor Coverings International, we’ve intentionally built our model to simplify the experience, communicate clearly and manage each project from start to finish.”

The business is also a true family venture. Hannah Toban is building the company alongside her husband, bringing a background in occupational therapy as well as art and design. Together, the couple says they offer customers a blend of practical guidance, aesthetic insight, and disciplined project management.

“Hannah brings a complementary perspective that enhances how we serve our customers,” Larry Toban said. “She understands how people truly live in and experience their spaces. By combining thoughtful design, functionality, and real-world usability with a structured, well-organized approach, we’re able to guide customers toward decisions that feel both practical and inspired.”

The Tobans said they believe today’s flooring customers are looking for more than just product selection. They want expert guidance, convenience, and a single trusted partner to manage the many moving parts involved in a renovation project.

“Customers increasingly expect businesses to come to them, and in flooring, that’s especially important,” Toban said. “They also want a trusted partner who can simplify the process and manage it professionally from start to finish.”

Floor Coverings International Northbrook offers hardwood, luxury vinyl, laminate, tile, and carpet, along with professional installation. The Tobans said their goal is to build a business rooted in transparency, professionalism and long-term relationships in the communities they serve.

“We’re not just launching a business,” Toban said. “We’re building something that reflects our values and that we can grow within our community over the long term.”

For more information, visit floorcoveringsinternational.com/locations/us/il/northbrook or call (847) 423-5000.