In 2019 Tyler Paratore degree in business administration from Rutgers University-Camden. After earning a master’s degree in sports business from Drexel University, he began his career at Amazon, where he rose to become L6 operations manager. Despite his success, he longed for a new company where he could exercise his entrepreneurial spirit.

After some research, Paratore came across Floor area* and the brand immediately caught his eye. For Paratore, working in the home services and flooring industry provides an opportunity to make real connections and fulfill his desire to help others.

“Many of my family and friends are contractors, but not all of them are in the flooring industry,” said Paratore. “I understand how difficult it is for them to find steady employment and connect with clients. I want to be the link that secures work from clients and connects them with contractors who may not be as visible on Google or social media.”

1851 Franchise spoke to Paratore about his journey into franchising with Footprints Floors and his plans for the future.

1851 Franchise: Tell us your personal story. What did you do before franchising and how did you decide that franchising made sense for you?

Tyler Paratore: In 2019, I graduated from Rutgers University-Camden, which is now part of my home area. I have lived in this area my entire life, growing up ten minutes outside of Philadelphia and five minutes outside of Camden. I received my bachelor’s degree in general business administration from Rutgers-Camden.

I later earned a master’s degree in sports business from Drexel University. Although I am not currently using this degree, I am exploring it for future opportunities. After graduating, I started working at Amazon. I spent 4 1/2 years at Amazon, working primarily in a delivery station.

I missed out on a lot during college, and I always had the entrepreneurial experience and mindset. Working in a large company like Amazon often meant that I had to adhere to established processes and instructions from superiors, which limited my opportunities to express my own ideas.

I have always had a desire to start my own business or franchise. In October of last year, I began working with Integrity Franchise Solutions. At first, I focused on getting my finances in order while I got to grips with the franchise search process. By January or February, I was ready to secure financing and began looking at franchises. Footprints immediately caught my eye.

1851: What was your perception of franchising before you became a franchisee, and what would you like to tell people about franchising now that you are a franchisee yourself?

Opening credits: To be honest, my first introduction to franchising was fast food, and it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue. However, there are many other areas and industries that franchises cover. It’s important that people considering franchising keep an open mind.

I had never installed flooring or worked in this industry before, so I was hesitant at first because I lacked the knowledge and experience. However, the franchise offers comprehensive training, including 60 hours of online instruction and a few weeks of hands-on experience. This training will give you the knowledge and confidence to speak to customers about the services, even if you weren’t an expert two weeks ago.

My experience with franchising has opened my eyes to the many possibilities that I didn’t initially think were possible. Franchising offers a much wider range of opportunities than I originally thought.

1851: Why did you choose this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Opening credits: Footprints has an interesting business model that not only enables personal success, but also supports contractors and their families through a steady supply of work. In addition, it helps homeowners improve their living spaces, which is important because flooring has a huge impact on the appearance of a home.

As a homeowner, I know the importance of flooring and how it transforms a space. Footprints appealed to me because of the support it provides to both contractors and homeowners. My decision to join Footprints was further reinforced after meeting the team who provided me with complete support from the start. I felt at home from the start.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your company? What are your growth plans?

Opening credits: First of all, I am leaving a good job, so my main goal is to replace that salary. My fiancée and I are planning our wedding for October 2025, so I want to make sure we have enough money to cover our upcoming expenses.

I also want to help others. Many of my family and friends are contractors, but not all of them are in the flooring business. I understand how difficult it is for them to find steady employment and connect with clients. I want to be the link that secures work from clients and connects them with contractors who may not be as visible on Google or social media.

1851: What would you like to tell us about your story?

Opening credits: One thing about me is that I’m not always an emotional person, as my fiancée often points out. However, I do care deeply about the people around me. Leaving my job was really difficult because after three and a half years I had become close friends with many of my colleagues and we spent a lot of time together outside of work.

I approach starting this business with a lot of heart. While I understand how important the financial aspect is, my main motivation is to help others. I want to help contractors and homeowners. As a homeowner, I know what it’s like to deal with different companies. For example, when we had siding done, a company representative gave us a three-hour presentation without asking us about our needs. They just assumed we would choose them without knowing our preferences. This approach was completely ineffective.

My focus is on genuine connections and networks and making sure I understand and meet the needs of the people I work with.

1851: What advice do you have for other people who are thinking about becoming a franchisee?

Opening credits: It’s really important to keep an open mind. I initially had five options, but there was a book with around 800 different franchises from different industries. During the process, I considered several types of franchises, including a dog training franchise, Footprints, another home improvement franchise, and a home gym franchise that included a mobile gym with various classes.

Franchising is not a one size fits all concept. There are many different options that you can tailor to your own interests. For anyone who is hesitant about franchising, I would definitely recommend keeping an open mind throughout the process.

ABOUT FOOTPRINTS FLOORS:

After returning to Littleton, Colorado, after serving in the U.S. Air Force, Bryan Park noticed that Denver’s flooring industry lacked a higher level of customer service and sophistication, so in 2008 he founded Footprints Floors, which today specializes in the installation of hardwood floors, tile floors, kitchen backsplashes and laminate. With more than 150 territories, Footprints Floors offers franchisees a robust support system, including a call center, flexible hours for a work-life balance and low entry costs with excellent economics. For more information about the Franchise Times Top 500 brand, visit https://footprintsfranchise.com/.