“This was a perfect storm for me.”
Arnett Hudson’s Inspiration for Starting a Flooring Business

The home improvement business is booming. In 2019 the industry was worth over $400 billion, with home improvement sales projected to be $510 billion by 2024. Our flooring franchise is selling out fast in territories nationwide so we caught up with our newest Owner, Arnett Hudson to hear his story and to talk about how he decided that starting a flooring business in his Coatesville, PA hometown with faith-based Footprints Floors was the ideal move for his future.

Arnett’s Path to Starting a Flooring Business

Arnett Hudson grew up in South Jersey and believes that watching his dad work as a carpenter taught him the importance of customer service and ownership from a young age. He had several paper routes as a child and understood that to try and grow the customer base he needed to be friendly, organized, and on time.

Arnett went on to attend university in Pennsylvania, and throughout his time at college, he worked as a shift supervisor/team leader. He realized that he not only enjoyed dealing with the public, but he was also good at it, thanks to his early lessons in customer service. Arnett also discovered that he excelled in managerial roles and enjoyed being in charge of a team. Within 6 months of graduating from college, he was promoted first to Assistant Manager and then to Store Manager, paving the way for a 25-year career working for Fortune 500 companies.

Arnett enjoyed his career and is very grateful for the opportunities that he was given, however, he could never shake off his desire to own his own business. It wasn’t until 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic shook the world, that Arnett was given the push he needed to finally pursue his dream.

Like many others during this time, Arnett was furloughed in April 2020 and subsequently laid off, which upon reflection he sees as having been “a perfect storm.” In his words, “I chose to make this ominous time into a silver lining in my life”. For many, this period was a dark time in their lives, full of uncertainty and worry, but Arnett instead chose to turn this misfortune into a positive, starting a flooring business with a Footprints Floors franchise.

What Made Arnett Choose to Franchise With Footprints Floors?

Arnett’s advice to anyone interested in investing in a franchise is to do their research and perform due diligence to ensure that the company is the right fit for them. He did just that, and after thorough research and a meticulous vetting process, he didn’t have to look much further once he came across Footprints Floors.

So why did a flooring franchise appeal to someone who had never been interested in starting a flooring business? Arnett admits that the reason Footprints Floors stood out to him was, as he notes, “because of its tremendous emphasis on customer service. In my years of managerial experience, I believe there is no better way to maintain a strong customer base than to provide excellent customer service.” Arnett contacted Footprints Floors and was indeed immensely impressed by their service.

In addition to this, further factors which made an impression on Arnett were that no physical building is required, he would have the autonomy to make his own decisions, and Footprints Floors have marketing strategies that are not reliant on cold calling. Also, it wasn’t a business where he would have to be on call 24 hours a day. “The ability to have sovereignty over my schedule was crucial.” Arnett’s first impressions of Footprints Floors were excellent. Our Founder and CEO, Bryan Park came across as knowledgeable and personable, and the corporate team was incredibly welcoming. He says he knew right away that this was the franchise for him. 

Finding Balance Through Starting a Flooring Business

As well as extremely attractive financial incentives, becoming a Footprints Floors Franchise Owner also brings with it great emotional rewards. One of the main reasons people love being a Footprints Floors Franchise Owner is the flexibility; having more time to spend with friends and family as well as time to go on vacation. Rather than being tied down to the monotony of a job with set hours and no flexibility, there is great freedom in being a Franchise Owner, allowing more time to enjoy both yourself and your work.

A strong support team providing initial training and ongoing support such as marketing, social media, and search engine optimization (SEO) means there are far fewer headaches compared to running a traditional business. All the work is completed by subcontractors, so you don’t need to be an expert in flooring to join our team! We have been an established company for more than 10 years now, and have built up an excellent reputation with a strong customer base. For people wishing to run their own business, there are far fewer risks when investing in a franchise with a trusted and established brand, compared to starting a business from scratch. With a low initial investment and a quick return on that investment, the revenues from Footprints Flooring are extremely attractive. No employees, no rent, no showroom, no HR costs, and no inventory make our overheads extremely low! With much of the hard work taken care of, Franchise Owners can concentrate on growing their business and enjoying a flexible, healthy work-life balance.

Why Flooring? And Why Now?

Flooring is an excellent franchise business model because people will always be buying and building houses, and these new houses need floors. The current demand for new homes exceeds new construction, and as a result, many people are choosing to invest in an older home in need of renovation. The main competitors in the flooring business are one-man shows, who often have no backing, marketing presence, or credibility, so customers understandably prefer to pay the same price to an established and trustworthy brand with professional backing such as Footprints Floors. In addition, the larger stores that offer flooring services are considerably more expensive due to their higher overheads.

Arnett Hudson felt that during his professional career he developed a number of transferrable skill sets, many of which would easily translate to being a franchise owner. Not unlike many employees of large establishments, he was unsatisfied at not being able to witness the “fruits of his labor”, working year after year for a company where he received no equity or ability to leave a legacy. In his words “I wanted the opportunity to redirect all of my hard work into my own business.“ Footprints Floors Franchise Owners are fulfilled in a way they never were in previous roles, due to the fact that they are in complete control of all aspects of the business.

When asked why he chose a home service industry over one such as the popular restaurant industry, Arnett observed that although enjoyable, restaurants are a luxury, and based on the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more prudent to invest in a business more able to sustain a pandemic or recession. He believes that homeowners take pride in their homes and are happy to invest in a service that will benefit their families and home, including upgrades and improvements to continue to grow their investment. Arnett reflects that he is most looking forward to being one of the first Footprints Floors owners in the Northeast part of the country. “I want to continue to build the Footprints Floors brand and help make it a national household name.”

We are very excited to welcome our newest flooring Franchise Owner and look forward to following his progress in Southeast Pennsylvania!

Interested in starting a flooring business of your own? Please visit our franchise website for more information.

When This Tile Industry Expert Saw a Flooring Company for Sale, He Knew it Was a Perfect Fit!

More industry insiders are discovering our flooring company for sale. Our latest Franchise Owner is a flooring materials master.

Meet David DeBear, CTC, from South Jersey. David is one of the newest Franchise Owners of an exclusive Footprints Floors territory, and he shares how he came across this uniquely ideal opportunity for his background.

Life Before Footprints Floors: David’s Story

David comes to us from a successful career in the flooring materials manufacturing industry. We asked him to share a little about his professional background with us.

“I’m a Certified Ceramic Tile Consultant (CTC). I’ve spent over 25 years in the Ceramic Tile industry with one of the nation’s largest installation materials manufacturers as its National Architectural and Commercial Business Development Manager,” he says.

“I’ve been providing professional development to the industry through the American Institute of Architects, National Tile Contractors Association, and other industry channels.”

David enjoys his profession. But after years spent advancing the company he worked for, he was more than ready to get into business for himself. 

“In today’s world, I was tired of the big corporate environment and was looking for something different that would allow me to use my skills and energy,” he says. “Footprints Floors has provided this opportunity for me. I feel at home here.”

David began his journey to our flooring company with a clear understanding of the business lifestyle he wanted. He knew he wanted to remain in the home services industry. He’s seen the underpinnings of our industry, knows what makes it tick, and where it’s going next.

So, he reached out to a professional to get things started.

“I found Footprints Floors through a franchise coach. I think it is the right fit for me because of my background and love of the industry,” he says. “I have spent most of my career in the construction industry as a supplier and consultant to other entities within the industry.”

Familiarity isn’t the only reason David wanted a flooring franchise. He finds the home services industry to be far more appealing than other, more popular franchising options.

“The service industry works well for what I am looking for,” David says. “Industries where inventory is managed, and the burden of a brick-and-mortar business were not of interest to me. And I am not at all interested in the restaurant industry personally – only as a patron.” 

David’s consultant presented him with a range of franchise options which included our flooring company for sale. He says, “as I looked into other opportunities, I kept coming back to Footprints. With my background, it is a perfect fit”.

Getting to Know Footprints Floors:
David’s Franchise Journey

We had to know why he kept coming back to us. “Comparing Footprints to other service-oriented companies, the business model just works better,” David says. “I like the low overhead, customer and crew interaction along with the processes that are tried and true. The entire business model.”

David learned how our business model performs in action throughout his Franchise Education process. But Footprints Floors is about more than great financial metrics and proprietary systems.

It’s also about the people involved and the way we all work together for success. It’s important that all our potential Franchise Owners get to meet us and personally experience what it’s like to be a Franchise Owner. That’s what Discovery Day is for.

In David’s Discovery Day at our Colorado headquarters, he met the Footprints team and other Franchise Owners. And he was able to spend time with the Founder himself.

“[Founder] Bryan Park’s goals are simply to succeed and provide opportunities for success for those around him. The business model and the family of people within the organization make all of the difference,” says David. “I like the open approach and acceptance into the Footprints family.  Everyone is willing to take the time to help out and promote success.”

Our Founder, support team, and Franchise Owners all work together to make Footprints thrive. That’s what turns our carefully designed system into a flourishing operation.

David only had to experience a little of our company culture to recognize the value. “I am early in the process,” he says. “However, all indications show me that it only gets better. It’s the willingness to listen, act on ideas, and the support from the team. We all win with this approach.”

Finding the Right Flooring Company for Sale With Footprints Floors

This supportive structure lets us take people from all walks of life and fit them into Footprints with success. Our Franchise Owners come from all different backgrounds. They each find something unique to help them thrive within Footprints.

We asked David what he thought would make him successful. He was very direct. “That’s my history in the industry, love of the industry, the business model provided, and the people within the organization,” he says.

David fits right into the faith-based, Christian Franchise Footprints Floors family now. That was clear when we asked him what he enjoys most about being a member of the organization. He said it was, “being part of the community and the Footprints family. Having the freedom to manage my business as I see fit and controlling my own destiny. Also, I’ve been an education advocate for 25 years and feel that I can help others in the family be more successful.”

David is ready to do this by sharing his flooring expertise with his fellow Franchise Owners through their exclusive support network. For now, he has this advice with anyone considering our flooring company for sale.

“I would advise potential Franchise Owners to step back and not look at the singular idea of installing floors. Take a good look at the lifestyle that is associated with Footprints Floors,” David says. “Interaction with people in your community, the family-first attitude of the team, and the opportunity to help others make their lives better – both customers and teammates as well as yourself.”

Thanks to our flexible business structure, David now has more time for himself as well. Time for him to be outdoors, go sailing, and simply spend more time with his friends and family.

We’re proud that this tiling installation expert decided to join faith-based Footprints Floors when he saw our flooring company for sale. 

If you’d like to know more about Footprints Floors, please visit our franchise website for more info. You can see if any territories are still available in your area. And check out more stories from other Footprints Floors Franchise Owners.

What Happened When This Multi-Unit Franchise Owner and Franchise Consultant Couple Found a Flooring Company For Sale?

Andy and Michelle Snyder are no strangers to the franchise world. 

Andy has over 15 years of experience as a multi-brand Franchise Owner. The couple now works as Certified Franchise Consultants, coaching other entrepreneurs who are looking to find the right business opportunity for them. 

Lucky for us at Footprints Floors, this business power couple is one of our newest Franchise Owner teams. Not only that, but they are our first Mississippi-based Franchise Owners. With so much experience in the franchising world, we are so grateful to have them aboard. 

Let’s take a look into Andy and Michelle’s decision to join us here at Footprints Floors. 

Their Backgrounds 

Andy and Michelle’s career backgrounds are in fact quite different from one another. 

Andy’s 15 years of franchising experience has resulted in him owning around 12 franchise businesses, one of which has multi-unit territory in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. 

His franchise portfolio in commercial cleaning and locksmithery correlates with his previous experience in janitorial and home improvement services.

In fact, that’s one of the reasons why he was so attracted to Footprints Floors. He tells us, “One reason I liked the idea of Footprints Floors is that I have a background in janitorial, resurfacing floors, stripping, and waxing, I’m used to this type of work, and it just fits everything that I’ve done for the last 15 years.” 

Michelle, on the other hand, is a trained registered nurse with over 15 years of experience but she’s focusing on consultancy work right now. 

Andy says, “Being a consultant has taught us a lot. There’s a whole different world out there, and you get to see good things like faith-based, Christian Franchise Footprints Floors which has taken off and is just such an amazing brand. We get to see it from the inside out, and we get to sell it which is an even better thing!” 

Making The Move Into Franchising 

Andy says that his decision to make the move into franchising was spurred by an advertisement he saw 15 years ago for a commercial cleaning franchise. 

He recalls, “I called them up to buy a franchise and I’ve gone from there.” 

Before that, he worked for a company called Quicklubes as their Operations Manager. 

His job was to open up new locations and this is one of the reasons why he knew franchising was a good move for him. At any one time, he was running four Quicklubes locations by himself so he knew that he could handle running his own franchise. 

At the time he was working 100 hours a week making plenty of other people very rich. He thought to himself, “If I can do it for them, I can do it for myself.”

As for Michelle, her move into franchising came after marrying Andy! 

Now they both work as incredibly successful Franchise Owners and Consultants, helping others to do the same. 

Before they jumped into buying a Footprints Floors Franchise, Michelle explains that they did their own research. 

“We are affiliated with FranServe and first learned about Footprints Floors on the support side,” she explains. “We represent it and we heard the success of the brand as we were consulting.”

So, Why Footprints Floors? 

As Franchise Consultants, Andy and Michelle see hundreds of different brands all the time and are introduced to many different concepts and ideas. 

We were interested to know, what made them decide to buy a flooring company for sale over another franchise concept? And why did they decided to buy a franchise themselves instead of simply promoting it to their clients? 

Andy and Michelle said that they learned about Footprints Floors themselves and then went on to show our business to their consultancy clients who were looking for a new business opportunity. 

Andy recalls how he and his wife came to a decision to do something that aligned so well with their previous background and industry experience. “Michelle said to me, you already do this, so why don’t we do it together? She liked the model. She doesn’t like the stripping and waxing of floors part, but I do that with my employees. That’s why the concept was good for us. It’s a management concept, too and it gets us to work together.”

Michelle remembers the couple’s Discovery Day with fondness, saying that “going to actually meet the team and their CEO Bryan Park was great. Everyone was so personable and down to earth.” As well as liking the team, Michelle says that they were attracted by “the low investment. You get so much corporate support, lead generation assistants, and the call center. It’s a great model.” 

We wanted to know what was the point at which Andy and Michelle knew that Footprints Floors was for them. With Andy’s extensive experience as a Franchise Owner, what made us special? For him, it came down to one major thing: the people.

 “When I try and sell a Franchise, the Discovery Day is important,” he explains. “That’s what pushed us over the edge. We talked to everybody on Discovery Day, and we loved the way they do things. Family, religion, and the concept brought us together. Other concepts we had looked at left Michelle out, but with Footprints, this was something that we could do together.”

Michelle said she was sold from the beginning. “On the Discovery Day, learning about the origins of the brand, the founding story of the Founder, Bryan Park, and the Christian background – it all just made sense.”

Future Of The Business

When it comes to their individual roles in the business, they’re both going to be involved. 

Andy says that he’s going to be more “hands-on” with the general operations work alongside his crew. Don’t rule him out as a one-trick-pony though, he’s also going to be involved in customer service and selling. “I can talk pretty good, too!” is what he told us. 

Michelle, on the other hand, is going to be focusing on the day-to-day running of the business while also being involved in the selling. 

As for the future of the business, Andy’s dream is to scale it eventually. He’s starting off with three territories but has plans to grow it to 7. He wants franchises along the coast of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida.

What’s Most Exciting About Footprints Floors? 

In Andy’s words, “The most exciting thought is blowing it up together!” 

He said that he was looking forward to “looking at the model, making a profit and working hard. It’s different for me and I’m excited to get started.” 

Joining in with this sentiment, Michelle said that she was excited about “working together as a family and growing the business while being part of the Footprints family.”

Advice To Prospective Franchise Owners 

When we asked Andy this question, he had the best answer. 

“You’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself. I consulted people when I was working as a mentor before I ever became a consultant. They bought franchises before I even received a commission for it. Pick something that you like and something you’re comfortable with doing. If you pick something you enjoy, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Andy and Michelle’s story is one of incredibly hard work and determination and demonstrates the power of going after what you want. 

Their story could be yours, too. 

If you’re interested in one securing a flooring company for sale through faith-based, Christian Franchise Footprints Floors, please visit our franchise website for more information.