CreativeLaunch Research

Rugtomize
Market Expansion Report

Your customers are already buying from four markets you do not position for. The reviews tell you exactly which ones.

Prepared by
Phil Vilk
Data Sources
275 reviews (Okendo)
Markets Identified
5 (4 untapped or underserved)
Sources Analyzed

What We Looked At

275
Product Reviews (Okendo)
258
5-Star Reviews
17
3-4 Star Reviews
93.8%
5-Star Rate

275 product reviews from Okendo across multiple product types (Custom Logo Rug, Custom Area Rugs, Custom Circle Rugs, Custom Square Rug, Custom Rug Carpets). 258 five-star reviews, 16 four-star reviews, and 1 three-star review. Many include photos showing exactly where and how the rug is being used, which reveals the use cases that text alone does not.

Executive Summary

What We Found

Rugtomize positions as a B2B custom logo rug company: "Trusted by 10,000+ Businesses." But when customers describe the product in their own words, more than half are talking about something other than a business entrance mat. 38 reviews describe home studios, gaming rooms, and personal spaces. 27 describe events, trade shows, and car shows. 24 describe gifts and memorials. 27 are from service companies using rugs on customer job sites. The product is the same. The reasons people buy it are not.

The most striking pattern: 3x more reviewers describe using the rug outside a traditional business entrance than inside one, yet the entire website, every ad, and all positioning targets business lobbies. Customers are telling Rugtomize where to go next. The website is not listening.

Across all four non-core markets, 116 reviews contain clear signals that the customer bought for a reason the brand does not acknowledge. These are not hypothetical markets. They are markets where customers are already purchasing, already leaving reviews with photos, and already describing the product in that market's language. The opportunity is not to attract new types of customers. It is to speak directly to the ones who are already here.

275
Reviews
Analyzed
5
Markets
Identified
More Non-Business
Use Cases
116
Reviews Signaling
Non-Core Markets
The Product, Stripped

What the Brand Says vs. What the Product Actually Is

Current Positioning
Custom logo rugs trusted by 10,000+ businesses. Made in USA with fast 3-5 business day turnaround and 1-2 week delivery. Non-slip pads included, easy clean, indoor/outdoor. Positioned as a professional branding tool for business entrances. B2B focused with volume discounts.
What It Actually Delivers
Digitally printed polyester rug with any custom image. Upload any image, receive a proof for approval, get a printed rug shipped to your door. Lightweight, flat pile, comes with anti-slip corner pads. Multiple shapes (rectangle, circle, runner, square) and sizes (2x3 to 8x10). No minimum order. Design team tweaks artwork for free.

The key insight: the brand says "logo rug" but the product accepts any image. Customers are uploading DJ logos, pet photos, baby pictures, sports team emblems, car club crests, church logos, military unit patches, and gaming designs. The product does not care if the image is a business logo or a photo of a 14-month-old baby. But the marketing only speaks to one of those use cases. Every other buyer has to imagine themselves into a product that was not built for them, and they are doing it anyway.

Market Overview

Five Markets. One Product.

01
Small Business Branding
Current Market
89 reviews • Large market • Current brand identity

This is the market Rugtomize already owns. Customers who mention business entrances, office lobbies, waiting areas, or professional branding account for 89 reviews. They describe the rug as a first-impression tool, a conversation starter, and a way to make a new space look established. The brand's current messaging aligns well with this audience. The insight here is not about repositioning but about recognizing that this market, while strong, represents a smaller slice of the total opportunity than the website suggests.

Works Alongside (Not Against)

Ultimate Mats Logo Mat Central Coco Mats N More Vistaprint (custom mats) City Clean Floor Mats

Buyer Types in This Market

First-Location Owners
People who just signed a lease on their first brick-and-mortar business and are buying everything to make the space look professional. The opening date is set, the to-do list is long, and a branded entrance rug is on it because they have seen one in every professional office they have ever walked into.
Target: Shopify, Square POS, small business insurance, commercial lease, business formation. 28-55
Multi-Location Operators
Franchise owners or multi-site operators who need consistent branded decor across locations. They already bought one rug and are coming back for more. One reviewer ordered 15 rugs at once. The buy-2-get-15%-off offer speaks directly to this group.
Target: Franchise opportunities, multi-unit management, repeat purchasers. 35-60, HHI $100K+

Angles That Work Here

"First Impression at the Front Door"
The first thing clients see when they walk in sets the tone for everything after. A custom logo rug says "we care about the details."
47 mentions
"Looks Like You Spent 10x More"
A custom logo rug that makes a new space look like it has been open for years. Professional from day one.
19 mentions
"Conversation Starter on the Floor"
Every client who walks in comments on it. That is branding you did not plan for, working 24/7 without a monthly fee.
11 mentions

What They Say

"Folks walk into the office and immediately look down to comment on the awesome rug. Vibrant colors, long lasting material. This is my most proud purchase for the whole year. If you're debating purchasing one of these, just do it!"

Douglas M., Verified Buyer

"I absolutely love our new rug! It is strategical placed where all my clients that come in see it first thing and they just love it too!"

Erasmo Yarrito J., Verified Buyer

"I received a call from customer service the day I received the new rug to get my opinion on the product. To me that's enough to buy more rugs from them. The rug I ordered looks great and feels great. My company logo is exactly how I hoped it to be. Overall, five stars for actual customer support and high quality product."

Walter D., Verified Buyer
02
Home Studios & Personal Spaces
Untapped, Large
38 reviews • Zero brand positioning • Music studios, gaming rooms, man caves, apartments

This is the largest untapped market in the data and possibly the highest-growth opportunity. These customers are not buying a business branding tool. They are buying a statement piece for a personal space. Music producers putting their studio logo on the floor. Gamers putting their gamertag in their setup. DJs making their apartment floor pop. Sneaker collectors tying a room together. The product is identical. The buyer and the motivation are completely different from anything on the Rugtomize website.

Works Alongside (Not Against)

Redbubble (custom rugs) Society6 Etsy custom rug sellers Ruggable Shutterfly (home decor)
Positioning Shift
"A custom-printed rug that turns the room that represents who you are into a space that looks like it."
Not a business logo mat. A statement piece for recording studios, gaming setups, car collections, and the rooms where your identity lives. 38 reviews already describe this product. The brand just does not show it yet.

Buyer Types in This Market

Home Studio Creators
Musicians, podcasters, DJs, and content creators building a dedicated space for their craft. The equipment is in place. Now they need the room to look like a real studio, not a spare bedroom with a microphone. A rug with their artist name or producer tag is the anchor piece that shows up in every photo and video.
Target: Home recording studio, music production, podcasting, DJ gear, content creation. 22-45, male skew
Gaming Room Builders
Gamers and collectors building a room around a theme. The PC rig, LED strips, and shelves are done. The floor is the missing piece. A rug with a custom design, gamertag, or franchise logo turns a room into a shrine. Several reviewers say it is too good to walk on, which tells you this is decor first, floor covering second.
Target: Gaming setup, PC gaming, sneaker collecting, man cave ideas. 18-35, male skew

Angles That Work Here

"The Room Is Not Done Until the Floor Is"
You built the setup. Now finish the room with a rug that is actually yours. Your name, your logo, your design.
16 mentions
"Too Good to Walk On"
Every other review says the same thing: it is so good they want to hang it on the wall. That is how you know it belongs in the room.
8 mentions
"Your Logo on Your Floor"
Your gamertag, your producer name, your brand. On a rug. In your room. Made from the image on your phone.
14 mentions

What They Say

"I needed an area rug for my new apartment so I decided to do the unusual and use my DJ logo as a design and WOW does this pop on my floor. I get major compliments from guests and they're so amazed they don't want to walk on it! It's definitely a conversation piece and I look forward to years of enjoyment from my new rug. "

Thomas L., Verified Buyer

"Im not sure where to start. I sent in a idea that was very busy and Arya was immediately available to help. She was very responsive, helpful and communicative on the steps to complete the design. Pricing is beyond fair for the quality and shipping was very fast. This rug is used in my office space on tile floor and no cushion under it so my chair rolls great and it's still soft enough on the feet to feel comfortable. I will be purchasing another soon for my son's bedroom and im hopeful to have Arya assist with that as well."

Donald D., Verified Buyer

"They were the pictures i sent, on a sizeable rug i ordered, they even came with hardfloor stick to stick holder corners to prevent slipping. Im ordering another rug, just ask yourself if you need a personalized gaming space or mancave upheaval to encourage your lifestyle, pick a better picture and make it worth your while, every yesterday is self emprovement."

Adam K., Verified Buyer
03
Events, Trade Shows & Sponsorships
Partially Served, Medium
27 reviews • Events, trade shows, car shows, fundraisers • Some overlap with business market

These customers are not buying a permanent floor covering. They are buying portable branded signage that lives on the ground. They bring it to trade shows, car shows, fundraisers, and pop-up events. They roll it up, throw it in the trunk, and set it up at the next event. The lightweight format that some permanent-use customers see as a drawback is the exact feature that makes this work. One reviewer described it as the thing that helped them "stand out as small business in a very large trade show."

Works Alongside (Not Against)

DisplayStar Vispronet Trade Show Plus Displays2Go Custom Ink (event merch)
Positioning Shift
"A portable branded display piece that goes anywhere: trade show booths, car shows, pop-up events, and fundraiser entrances."
Not a permanent floor rug. A reusable event asset that rolls up, travels in a trunk, and sets up in seconds. Lighter than a banner stand. More visible than a table sign. 27 reviews already describe this exact use.

Buyer Types in This Market

Trade Show First-Timers
Small business owners attending their first expo who need a booth that looks polished on a tight budget. The banner is ordered, the business cards are printed, but the floor is bare concrete. A custom rug is cheaper than a full booth build-out and gets reused at every event after.
Target: Trade show tips, expo booth design, pop-up shop supplies. Business owners, 30-55
Car and Hobby Show Exhibitors
Car enthusiasts, hot rod builders, and hobbyists who display at weekend shows April through October. Their car is pristine but their display area is not. A rug with their garage name or car club logo gives them a display anchor that makes photos look professional and triggers club-wide orders.
Target: Car shows, hot rods, classic cars, Corvette club, motorcycle shows. 40-65, male, disposable income

Angles That Work Here

"Portable Branding for $100"
A custom branded display piece you can roll up, throw in the trunk, and reuse at every event this season.
12 mentions
"The Club Is Ordering Next"
One person brings it to the show. The rest of the club orders by Monday. That is how word spreads in this market.
6 mentions
"Stand Out on the Floor"
In a room full of banners and table signs, your brand is the one people are literally standing on.
9 mentions

What They Say

"Walking into a room full of sponsor logos, having the IOA logo at the entrance cannot be denied!! Quick and easy ordering to meat our deadline and we added additional custom rugs for future events."

Kevin W., Verified Buyer

"Rug arrived quickly and in perfect condition! I use it to compliment my hot rod at car shows. Rug also seems to big hit by the spectators."

Terry S., Verified Buyer

"I love it...the rest of my Corvette Club will be ordering the same rug...we are going to use it as our club display at car shows...I definitely recommend this company...5 Star product & rating from 5 Star Company"

James J., Verified Buyer
04
Gifts & Memorials
Untapped, Large
24 reviews • Gifts, tributes, churches, veterans orgs, milestones • Zero brand positioning

These customers did not buy a rug. They bought an emotional object. A high school mascot rug for an old friend. A baby photo turned into a nursery rug. A church logo for the foyer. A military unit patch for a veterans meeting room. The consistent thread in these reviews is the reaction: people describe not wanting to walk on it, hanging it on a wall, or calling it the "star of the show" at a party. The emotional weight is high. The personalized gift market is massive and Rugtomize is not positioned in it at all.

Works Alongside (Not Against)

Shutterfly Snapfish Personalization Mall Things Remembered Etsy personalized gifts
Positioning Shift
"Turn a meaningful image into something physical and permanent. The kind of gift that makes people say they do not want to walk on it."
Not a business product. A personalized gift that takes any photo, logo, or memory and turns it into a rug. For the person who has everything. For the church that needs something in the foyer. For the friend who graduated from the same high school. 24 reviews describe this exact purchase.

Buyer Types in This Market

Organization Gift-Givers
Board members, committee chairs, and congregation leaders looking for a meaningful branded item for their church, school, veterans group, or nonprofit. They are not shopping for a rug. They are shopping for a way to honor the organization and make the space feel owned. The emotional weight is high because the logo represents something larger than a brand.
Target: Church leadership, nonprofit board, veterans organizations, school PTA, fraternal organizations. 40-70
Personal Milestone Gifters
People shopping for a birthday, retirement, housewarming, or holiday gift for someone who already has everything. A custom rug with a meaningful image is something the recipient would never buy for themselves. Reviewers describe people being "overjoyed" and wanting to hang it on the wall.
Target: Personalized gifts, custom gifts for him, unique gift ideas. 25-60, female skew for gift-buying

Angles That Work Here

"The Gift They Will Never Walk On"
When someone says "it is too beautiful to step on," you bought the right gift. That is the reaction these rugs get.
8 mentions
"For the Person Who Has Everything"
A rug made from their logo, their team, their photo, or their memory. They will not see this one coming.
16 mentions
"Star of the Show"
One reviewer ordered it for a birthday party. It became the thing everyone talked about. That is the power of a gift nobody has seen before.
6 mentions

What They Say

"A rug is exactly what I hoped it would be. I am going to give it as a gift to a good friend of mine who graduated from the same high school as I did… Our mascot is the bulldog. It will be perfect for nights when he goes downstairs because he is too nervous to watch the Jayhawk basketball team playing! Thank you so much for an outstanding product."

Gregg T., Verified Buyer

"It turned out perfect. Ordered it for a birthday party and it was the star of the show!"

Dino R., Verified Buyer

"This is insanely cool. Our son Hudson is 14 months and we decided to make a rug from him for him!"

Brett H., Verified Buyer
05
Service Companies On-Site
Untapped, Medium
27 reviews • Plumbers, HVAC, drain cleaners, detailers • Zero brand positioning

This market has the highest potential lifetime value per customer. Service companies do not buy one rug. They buy one per truck, one per crew, one per job site. One reviewer ordered 15 at once. The use case is different from every other market: the rug protects the customer's floor while advertising the service company's brand. It does double duty as floor protection and on-site marketing. The lightweight, washable format is not a drawback here. It is the reason this works.

Works Alongside (Not Against)

Ultimate Mats (work mats) Cintas floor mats UniFirst branded mats Custom Work Mats Harbor Freight (generic mats)
Positioning Shift
"A portable job-site branding tool that protects customer floors while advertising your company in their home."
Not office decor. A functional mat that goes into customer homes with every service call. Floor protection plus branding in one piece. Service companies buy multiples because every truck needs one. 27 reviews already describe this use case.

Buyer Types in This Market

Home Service Operators
Plumbers, HVAC techs, electricians, drain cleaners, and detailers who enter customer homes daily. Right now they put down a generic drop cloth. A branded rug does the same job but makes them look established and trustworthy. They buy multiples because each truck needs one. The lifetime value is high because they reorder as the fleet grows or rugs wear out.
Target: Plumbing business, HVAC marketing, service company branding. Commercial equipment purchasers, 30-55, male, business owner

Angles That Work Here

"Your Logo on Their Floor"
Protect the customer's floor and brand your company at the same time. One mat, two jobs. Every service call is a branding opportunity.
14 mentions
"Every Truck Needs One"
One for every van in the fleet. Your crew looks professional before they say a word. One reviewer ordered 15.
8 mentions
"The Professional Touch"
The difference between a service call that looks like a franchise operation and one that looks like a side hustle is details like this.
5 mentions

What They Say

"Attached are some pics of our job sites with the incredible rugs that we purchase from you and have given our company that extra impressive appearance that we all care. Thank you again and look forward to more business"

Dr R., Verified Buyer

"Our company rugs look amazing! Our drain cleaning machines fit perfectly and keep them from doing any damage to floors! Thank you for the great customer service and product! Would highly recommend!"

Danielle H., Verified Buyer

"Our order was process fast. I received my 15 rugs within 2 weeks of placing the order. The rugs wasn't what I expected. They actually exceeded my level of expectation. Colors, and sizes match exactly what was sent on the proof."

William C., Verified Buyer
Market Comparison

Side by Side

Market Current Presence Review Evidence Market Size Top Angle
Small Business Branding Full brand identity 89 reviews
Large "First Impression at the Front Door"
Home Studios & Personal Spaces Zero positioning 38 reviews
Large "The Room Is Not Done Until the Floor Is"
Events & Trade Shows Some overlap 27 reviews
Medium "Portable Branding for $100"
Gifts & Memorials Zero positioning 24 reviews
Large "The Gift They Will Never Walk On"
Service Companies On-Site Zero positioning 27 reviews
Medium "Your Logo on Their Floor"

The takeaway: The current market (Small Business Branding) has the most review evidence, but it accounts for only about a third of all reviews. The other two-thirds are split across four markets where Rugtomize has zero dedicated positioning. The product is already selling in these markets. The website, ads, and messaging just do not reflect it yet.

Strategic Recommendations

Three Ways to Enter New Markets Without Leaving the Old One

01

Build a "Personal Spaces" Landing Page for Studios and Gaming Rooms

38 reviews describe non-business use cases, but the entire website says "Trusted by 10,000+ Businesses." Create a separate landing page showing rugs in music studios, gaming rooms, and apartments. Use review photos as social proof. Run Meta ads targeting home studio builders, gamers, and content creators. This audience does not see themselves in the current branding and is being lost to Etsy and Redbubble.

02

Launch Gift-Occasion Campaigns Timed to Father's Day, Christmas, and Graduation

24 reviews describe the rug as a gift with emotional reactions: "star of the show," "overjoyed," "too beautiful to step on." Create a gift-focused ad set with a simple message: turn any photo, logo, or memory into a custom rug. Time the campaigns to peak gift-buying windows. The personalized gift market is massive and Rugtomize is invisible in it.

03

Create a Service Company Package with Multi-Unit Pricing

Service companies are the highest-LTV customers in the data. One ordered 15 rugs. Others describe needing one for every truck. Create a dedicated landing page for plumbers, HVAC companies, and cleaners that leads with floor protection plus branding. Offer tiered pricing (5-pack, 10-pack, 20-pack) to capture the fleet buyer. Each new truck is a new sale.

What's Next

How to Validate These Discoveries

The Home Studios and Personal Spaces market is the clearest first test. The audience is targetable today on Meta (interest targeting: home recording studio, gaming setup, music production, DJ equipment). The review photos provide ready-made ad creative showing the product in context. And the competitive set (Etsy, Redbubble, Society6) offers generic custom rugs without the design support, fast turnaround, or quality that Rugtomize provides. A dedicated landing page with 3-5 ads using review photos could validate this market within 2-4 weeks of spend.

The Gift market is the second test, timed to the next gift-buying peak. Father's Day is the natural first window. The messaging is simple: "Turn any photo into a custom rug." The emotional hook writes itself from the reviews.

The Service Company market is lower volume but higher LTV. A targeted LinkedIn or Meta campaign aimed at plumbing, HVAC, and cleaning business owners with a "fleet pricing" angle could convert at high value per customer. One 15-rug order is worth more than a dozen single-unit sales.

What we did not include: This analysis is based on publicly available review data. With first-party data (order frequency by customer segment, average order value by use case, acquisition channel breakdowns, and repeat purchase rates) we could confirm which markets produce the most valuable customers and at what cost per acquisition.

Want to Test Which Market Converts?

This report shows you where the opportunity is. The next step is proving which one actually makes money.

Review Insights with Phil Get a Report for Your Brand