Retired Special Agent and U.S. Army Veteran Finds New Opportunity With Footprints Floors Franchise

After over three decades in law enforcement and 22 years with the U.S. Army National Guard, Gene Hawk built a satisfying, successful career. But when retirement time came, he found himself looking for a new adventure. Hawk had watched his father run a small business when he was young, and a franchise seemed like the perfect model to experience business ownership himself with the backing of a proven system.

When he attended Footprints Floors*’ approval day, Hawk felt right at home with the other veterans on the team, and his choice was finalized. He opened his Tampa and Central Florida flooring franchise in June of 2022 and has been learning and growing ever since.

1851 Franchise spoke with Hawk to learn more about his journey to franchising with Footprints Floors and his goals 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?

Gene Hawk: I was in law enforcement for 35 years, and that overlapped with 22 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. I worked in domestic and foreign spaces, and I learned Spanish through the DEA.

When I retired, I wanted to do something different, and I found this. I thought I might enjoy it, so I figured I’d give it a shot.

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?

Hawk: My father was a small business owner when I was growing up. I worked at his business and saw him interact with customers, and I always had an interest in that. I admired the way he dealt with things. That was my draw into business, but I knew the franchise route would be a lot easier.

I would want people to know that they should take a lot of time upfront to make sure they get to know the company they’re getting involved with. It’s also important to reach out to franchise owners on your own. Do your homework. Look in the mirror and ask yourself if the model you’re choosing is something you’re passionate about and can dedicate yourself to.

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

Hawk: I was working through a franchise owner who also worked in development, and it was a slow, low-pressure experience. Through listening to validation calls and talking to other franchise owners, I felt like it was a good fit, but when I went to approval day in Colorado, that’s when I was sold. The interaction with the corporate team doesn’t feel like a business meeting; it feels like more of a family meeting. That’s really exciting to me.

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

Hawk: Right now, I’m working on paying off my SBA loan. I didn’t touch any of my retirement money, and that’s one of the things I’m very glad I didn’t do. Once I get that loan behind me, I will be able to start paying myself a bit more, stage the business in both territories and start to grow as much as I can.

1851: How did your military experience impact your decision-making process? How did the Footprints Floors model appeal to you within that context?

Hawk: During the approval day, they pick you up at your hotel and take you to breakfast. We sat down, and both Bryan [Park] and Chris [Curtis] are veterans, and it just felt so comfortable. That was another big thing for me because you can feel comfortable with other veterans. You know what those people have been through, and you know that they’ve experienced something at least somewhat similar to what you have. Most of the time, you know what their values are, and you know you can trust these people. That was very comforting.

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

Hawk: Make sure that, if you’re looking at loans, you’re looking into all the veteran’s benefits. SBA has a separate program for veterans.

There are also many networking opportunities and business groups. Veterans will come together to pass business advice and experience back and forth; there’s a lot of support available.

Also, many veterans will hire other veterans. I always like to see that when it comes up, because it’s another opportunity to give back.

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/.