We recently connected with Izaiah Barrow and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Izaiah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I didn’t come up with my business. I was born into it. My name is Izaiah Barrow and I am a 3rd generation Hardwood Floor Specialist. My Grand uncle started the company back in the late 60’s. My uncle took over the company in the mid 80’s & I begun hard wood flooring at the tender age of 11 years old and have been doing it since. I was raised around the craft, I love it and I am teaching my son the same trade I was taught. From magazines, commercials, awards and honors my family and I have achieved it all. Craftsmanship and Black excellence is what we bring to the table for our clientele. Though this has been the only job I’ve held my entire life it has taken me places and met people most folks wouldn’t imagine. So when you ask me how did I come up with the idea, I didn’t I’m actually adding to some one else’s and making it mine.
Izaiah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Izaiah Barrow—a father, community activist, tradesman, and nonprofit founder rooted in service, legacy, and impact. I am the owner of iSandNewYork, a third-generation hardwood flooring company, and the founder of WeAreTheory9 and A Floorman’s Dream, initiatives dedicated to uplifting youth and families in the Bronx through mentorship, workforce development, food access, and community resources. My work bridges skilled trades, education, and civic engagement—creating real pathways for young people to gain certifications, employment, financial literacy, and pride in their craft. For years, I’ve led monthly food pantries serving hundreds of families, organized holiday and back-to-school drives, and partnered with schools, elected officials, and grassroots leaders to strengthen neighborhoods from the inside out. Everything I do is grounded in Black excellence, generational wealth-building, and ensuring our communities are not just supported—but empowered to lead their own future.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I have proven myself resilient because you never separated survival from service. As a third-generation floorman, father, and community leader in the Bronx, I have carried the weight of providing while still showing up for others—month after month—feeding families, mentoring youth, and building programs even when resources were limited and recognition was scarce. Instead of letting pressure harden me, I turned it into purpose, transforming my trade into a pathway and my struggle into structure. I didn’t wait for permission or perfect conditions—I stayed consistent, protected my vision, and kept building, proving that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship, but about rising and lifting others at the same time.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I’ve learned that my life has never moved in a straight line—it’s been a constant pivot. I’ve had to be a man of many hats: entrepreneur, father, mentor, community builder, and philanthropist. No matter the role, everything always traces back to my hardwood flooring business—it’s the foundation that funds my philanthropy, teaches my children the value of work, and grounds my purpose. Over time, I’ve learned how to make all of these worlds work together instead of competing with one another. By aligning my craft, my service, and my family, I’ve turned every pivot into progress, building not just a business, but a legacy rooted in skill, sacrifice, and impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://isandnewyork.carrd.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isandnewyork/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izaiah-barrow-192411249?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@isandnewyork1?si=MN7q0EExLylA7AJ9
