Amazon Operations Manager Transitions to Franchising With Footprints Floors to Fulfill Business Ownership Dreams

In 2019, Tyler Paratore graduated from Rutgers University-Camden with a degree in general business management. After pursuing a master’s degree in sports business from Drexel University, he began his career at Amazon, advancing to an L6 operations manager role. Despite his success, he felt himself longing for a new venture that allowed him to tap into his entrepreneurial spirit.

After some research, Paratore came across Footprints Floors and the brand immediately stood out to him. For Paratore, working in the home services and flooring industry will give him a chance to create genuine connections and fulfill his desire to help others.

“Many of my family members and family friends are contractors, though not all in flooring,” Paratore said. “I understand the struggles they face in finding steady work and connecting with customers. I aim to be the connecting piece that secures jobs from customers and links them with contractors who might not be highly visible on Google or social media.”

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

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

Tyler Paratore: In 2019, I graduated from Rutgers University-Camden, which is now part of my local territory. I've lived in this area my entire life, having grown up ten minutes outside of Philadelphia and five minutes outside of Camden. I earned my bachelor’s degree in general business management from Rutgers-Camden.

Later, I pursued a master’s degree in sports business from Drexel University. Although I am not currently using this degree, it is something I am exploring for future opportunities. After graduating, I began working with Amazon. I spent 4 1/2 years with Amazon, working primarily in a delivery station

During college, I missed out on a lot, and I always had the entrepreneurial experiences and mindset. Working in a large company like Amazon often meant adhering to established processes and directives from higher-ups, which limited my ability to express my own ideas.

I had always been inclined towards starting my own business or franchise. In October of last year, I began working with Integrity Franchise Solutions. Initially, I focused on getting my finances in order while learning about the franchise discovery process. By January or February, I was ready to secure funding and started looking at franchises. Footprints stood out to me immediately.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Paratore: Honestly, my first thought about franchising was related to fast food, which wasn’t something I wanted to pursue. However, there are many other avenues and industries that franchises cover. It’s important for people considering franchising to keep an open mind.

I had never done flooring or been involved in that industry, so I was initially hesitant because I lacked knowledge and expertise. However, the franchise provides extensive training, including 60 hours of online instruction and a couple of weeks of hands-on experience. This training equips you with the knowledge and confidence to speak to customers about the services, even if you were not an expert just two weeks prior.

My experience with franchising opened my eyes to the numerous opportunities available beyond my initial perceptions. Franchising offers a much wider range of possibilities than I originally thought.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Paratore: Footprints has an interesting business model that not only allows for personal success but also supports contractors and their families by providing a steady supply of work. Additionally, it helps homeowners improve their living spaces, which is significant as flooring makes a major impact on a home’s appearance.

As a homeowner myself, I understand the importance of flooring and how it transforms a space. Footprints appealed to me because it supports both contractors and homeowners. My decision to get involved with Footprints was further reinforced after meeting the team, who provided comprehensive support from the very beginning. It felt like home from the start.

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

Paratore: Initially, I am leaving a good job, so my primary goal is to replace that salary. My fiancée and I are planning our wedding for October 2025, so I want to ensure we have enough money to cover our upcoming expenses.

Beyond that, I want to help others. Many of my family members and family friends are contractors, though not all in flooring. I understand the struggles they face in finding steady work and connecting with customers. I aim to be the connecting piece that secures jobs from customers and links them with contractors who might not be highly visible on Google or social media.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Paratore: One thing about me is that I am not always an outwardly emotional person, which my fiancée often points out. However, I deeply care about the people around me. Leaving my job was really difficult because, after three and a half years, I had formed close friendships with many of my colleagues, and we spent a lot of time together outside of work.

I am approaching the launch of this business from a caring perspective. While I understand the importance of the monetary side, my primary motivation is to help others. I want to assist contractors and homeowners. As a homeowner myself, I know what it’s like to deal with various companies. For example, when we were getting some siding done, one company representative gave us a three-hour presentation without asking any questions about our needs. He simply assumed we would choose them without understanding our preferences. This approach was entirely ineffective.

My focus is on genuine connections and networking, ensuring that I understand and meet the needs of those I work with.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Paratore: It’s really important to keep an open mind. Initially, I had five options, but there was a book of around 800 different franchises across various 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 involved a mobile gym with a variety of classes.

Franchising isn’t a cookie-cutter concept; there are many different opportunities you can tailor to your own interests. For anyone hesitant about franchising, I would definitely recommend keeping an open mind throughout the process.

ABOUT FOOTPRINTS FLOORS:

Upon his return 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 installing hardwood floors, tile floors, backsplashes and laminates. With more than 150 territories, Footprints Floors offers franchisees a robust support system, including a call center, flexible hours for work-life balance and a low cost of entry with outstanding economics.. For more information about the Franchise Times Top 500 brand, visit https://footprintsfranchise.com/.