Entrepreneurship Runs in the Family for Nashville’s First Footprints Floors Franchisees

Josh and Natalia Byrd have always wanted to open a business. Josh, a graduate of Northwest Louisville Tech, has worked at General Electric for the past nine years. Natalia, originally from Brazil, came to the United States on a tennis scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville where she obtained her BBA and MBA.

After realizing the need for a middle man between consumers and contractors in the Nashville area, Josh and Natalia are ready to provide flooring installation and refinishing services to customers with the opening of their own Footprint Floors. The franchise brand exceeded their expectations by offering them extensive training on what to anticipate, given that the couple had no prior experience in flooring or home renovation.

Josh and Natalia are opening Nashville’s first Footprints Floors* on July 23, 2020 with plans to purchase a third territory for ownership of the brand’s entire Middle Tennessee region.

They enter the world of franchising under the guidance of Natalia’s father, an entrepreneur of 30 years, who attributes his success to his first foray into business ownership with Brazilian children’s clothing brand, Joana João. Natalia and her husband look forward to following in her father’s footsteps in their introduction to the world of franchising in the Nashville Market.

1851 Franchise: What did you do before franchising?

Josh Byrd: I graduated from Northwest Louisiana Tech with an Associate’s Degree in applied science with a focus in instrumentation. After school I became a field service engineer for General Electric for nine years. My first five years out of school, I traveled the world working for General Electric and even had the pleasure of working in the London 2012 Olympic games. My wife, Natalia, is from Brazil. She came here on a full ride tennis scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville. After completing her MBA, she worked in different business and finance roles for Nissan North America and Schneider Electric. Natalia is currently the finance manager and associate head tennis coach at Montgomery Bell Academy.

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising?

Byrd: We began researching franchises with low initial investments. Neither of us had flooring experience and we only had a little construction experience, but with Footprints Floors’ model, we were confident we could learn.

1851: Why did you pick franchising over starting your own business?

Byrd: We loved the fact that would be working with a proven model and experienced professionals who could guide us in the beginning. We just believe this is the perfect way for us to gain more business experience, as well as the confidence to seek more ventures in the future. Natalia’s father has worked as an entrepreneur for almost 30 years. The first business he ever owned was a franchise. In fact, he was so successful that he ended up buying the whole company and running it himself as the franchisor. With her father there as a mentor and advisor throughout this process, we were ready to take this step.

1851: Why did you pick Footprints Floors? What excited you most about the potential?

Byrd: From our research, it looked like the revenue was strong with steady work. We liked the business model and extensive training Footprint Floors had to offer and we were sold. On top of that, we loved having the support system provided from corporate. It’s an open line of communication all the way to the CEO. We also loved that there’s an open communication channel with all the other franchisees where everyone can collaborate.

1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?

Byrd: We currently have two territories in Nashville with plans to expand to three. This will allow us to support the flooring needs of all Middle Tennessee residents.

1851: What value do you see your business providing to Nashville?

Byrd: We aim to provide strong communication between the customer and contractor. We will handle any changes and issues on behalf of the customer. Great service is needed in this area and we’re ready to provide it.

1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?

Byrd: My advice to others would be to do extensive research and ask every question you have. I recommend asking current franchisees with the company you’re interested in, as well as other companies. Learn about their business and lifestyle, and make sure the business you choose is right for your skillset and long-term goals.