Every challenge, every setback, we faced together – and that’ s why we’ ve achieved what we have.”
INTERIORS
Lift-off – Steph in the company’ s Yarm stockroom.
Every challenge, every setback, we faced together – and that’ s why we’ ve achieved what we have.”
Smiles – office coordinator Jayne Dawson, left, with Steph.
mission to connect materials, makers and markets worldwide. Soon, orders were flowing in from architects, designers and even celebrities.
“ It was surreal,” James admits.“ We’ d see our flooring in the homes of sports stars or musicians and think back to those first days when we weren’ t sure the factory would survive. It’ s been an unbelievable journey.”
Coming home, going big In 2019, James and Steph made another bold move – relocating the business to Teesside. With three daughters in tow, they wanted to combine family life with the next stage of growth.
Today, their Stockton showroom is more than just a shop, it’ s a statement. From luxury oak flooring to curated interiors through their Only Oak brand, the Zielkes have built a layered business that brings world-class design to high-end professionals and local families.
The heart of it all: James and Steph What makes this story extraordinary isn’ t just the global success, but the way it was built: together. Husband and wife, side by side, navigating new countries, language barriers, parenthood and risk – all while carving out something unique.
“ Living abroad taught us resilience,” Steph says.“ Running a business as a married couple has taught us trust. Every challenge, every setback, we faced together – and that’ s why we’ ve achieved what we have.”
Wood Connexions isn’ t just about oak flooring- it’ s about two people who refused to give up and who turned loss into opportunity and built something extraordinary from the ground up.
“ Sometimes we stop and look around,” James reflects.“ From Poland to Teesside, from a tiny factory to a global brand – it still amazes us. But at the heart of it, it’ s just the two of us, pushing each other, backing each other and believing in what we could build.“ We’ re fortunate to have a very small, highly skilled and dedicated team around us.
“ Their expertise, commitment and belief in our vision have played a vital role in getting us to where we are today. We truly wouldn’ t be here without them.”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 121