From Burger King to Industry Leader: The story of Amir Loloi and Loloi Rugs
Amir Loloi’s story is a testament to hard work, ambition, and a passion for quality. Immigrating to the US from Iran at the age of 16 in 1976, Loloi initially planned to pursue his education abroad before returning home. However, fate had othre plans.Driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit that blossomed during his teenage years, Loloi decided to forge his own path, seeking independence and real-world experience.
to achieve this, he made a bold choice: he asked his parents to stop financially supporting him, opting to work his way through college. This commitment led him to take on various jobs, from flipping burgers at Burger King to waiting tables, selling ice cream, and even bartending. These diverse experiences instilled valuable lessons about buisness, customer service, and the importance of dedication.
During his college years, Loloi landed a part-time job at a rug company. He immersed himself in the world of textiles, assisting with the company’s traveling road shows and transporting carpets. This experience sparked a passion for the industry, culminating in a full-time job offer during his studies. “I got a job offer to become a full-time employee while I was going to school,” Loloi recalls, “and the rest was history.”
For the next 25 years, Loloi dedicated himself to this rug company, steadily climbing the ranks. He excelled as a salesperson, became a sales manager, and eventually rose to the position of president. Despite his success, Loloi felt a calling to create something of his own. “Perhaps it’s time I have something as a legacy for my children down the road,” he pondered. His vision was to build a business-to-business (B2B) rug company that would set a new standard for quality and style.
Confident in his expertise and driven by a desire to innovate,loloi decided to take the leap and launch Loloi Rugs. “But I thought I’d start a very small company with a dream of making the best product, bringing in new fashion and ideas that I always had a passion for, and just doing it on my own,” he explains.
This decision proved to be a resounding success. Loloi’s unwavering dedication to quality and his keen eye for design quickly gained him recognition. Loloi Rugs blossomed into a leading force in the industry, collaborating with high-profile designers and retailers alike.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Loloi. The Heritage Collection.
The year was 2004. It was a pivotal moment for entrepreneur, [Loloi’s Name] , who took a leap of faith and launched his company, Loloi Rugs. “It was the best decision I ever made,” he reflects, clearly still brimming with the excitement of those early days.
From the outset, Loloi Rugs was embraced with open arms. The rug market welcomed this “young industry sweetheart,” as Loloi was lauded. But even with a product that resonated with customers, every burgeoning business encounters hurdles. Loloi’s tale is no different. Logistics, specifically shipping and delivery delays, initially presented a important challenge.
Recognizing the inherent value of providing extraordinary customer service,
Loloi doubled down on his commitment. “You have to consider, what value can they bring to the picture?” he says of his recruitment philosophy. Hiring top talent was essential. Loloi knew that expansion of his team was the key to keeping pace with the rapidly escalating demand for his rugs.
Today, Loloi Rugs is a thriving enterprise, employing over 500 people. In 2023 alone, they sold a staggering 2.3 million rugs, a testament to the brand’s enduring popularity. The company produces around 6,000 rugs per day, with prices ranging from $250 to a luxurious $25,000. Loloi rugs boasts over 800 collections, many of which are the result of strategic collaborations with renowned designers like Joanna Gaines and Amber Lewis.
But the Loloi success story isn’t built solely on meticulous design or strategic partnerships. Loloi’s unwavering dedication to his employees is a cornerstone of the company’s culture.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Loloi. Loloi x Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Winter 2024 Collection.
He says, ”We’ve always held onto that little touch of the family business, and that, for me, means taking care of our people.”
This philosophy manifests itself in numerous ways. Loloi Rugs boasts a near-zero layoff rate, even during challenging economic periods. The company hosts festive holiday gatherings where loloi personally thanks employees for their contributions, recognizing tenure and dedication through special awards.He also actively supports staff-driven charitable initiatives. As a genuine gesture of recognition, Loloi Rugs offers a complimentary artisan coffee cart that frequents the headquarters daily, along with the added perk of mini manicures and massages for its employees.
“Our employees’ passion and commitment are directly tied to the care we invest in them,” Loloi states confidently.
The future of Loloi Rugs is bright. Loloi’s sons, Cyrus and Steven, are poised to take the helm, ensuring that the family legacy continues. “The home furnishing industry, to be honest, isn’t the most glamorous,” [Loloi’s Name] admits, “It doesn’t always excite the younger generation.” Though, the Loloi brothers are embracing the challenge, eager to expand the brand’s reach and captivate a wider audience.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Loloi. the Heritage Collection.
Joon Loloi: Bringing Design to the Every-day Home
The Loloi brand is already a major player in the B2B space, but recently the Loloi brothers expanded their reach by launching a direct-to-consumer brand in December 2024. joon Loloi offers a curated collection of furniture, rugs, and décor, promising to elevate the everyday home.
“We couldn’t be more excited,” says Cyrus Loloi, principal and CMO at Loloi Rugs. “We aspire to reach a consumer that values their life at home and sees home as a vehicle for shaping a life they want to live. Joon Loloi is for the people, but we approach every product as design experts — so we know that our collections will also delight the designer trade audience, and we have a trade program for that reason.”
This new venture marks a significant step forward for the family-run Loloi company, which has grown far beyond the original vision of its founder. Their success serves as a powerful testament to the possibilities for aspiring entrepreneurs. As Cyrus Loloi emphasizes, “If you dream big and work hard, no one is there to stop you. It’s not about the color of your skin. It’s not about your background. It’s not about your religion. It’s not about anything except about you personally: What are you willing to do? When you are given a task, how much more are you willing to add to it to deliver so much more? If you want to be someone in life, step out of the boundaries.”
Joon Loloi’s launch promises to bring stylish, high-quality furnishings to a wider audience, empowering individuals to create homes that reflect their personalities and aspirations.
