The Great Franchisee: Jeff Harris, Footprints Floors, Memphis

After decades in marketing, Jeff Harris has left behind the corporate world to open a franchise with Footprints Floors*, the 50-plus-territory residential flooring and tiling brand, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Harris built an enviable career in the marketing world, working with companies such as BMW, Hyundai, and most recently, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. But Harris’s Footprints Floors is not the first business he has owned; Harris is also the owner of Harris Thoroughbreds LLC, a racehorse company. Harris says Footprints Floors will offer him the flexibility to build his flooring business while also focusing on his racehorses.

We spoke to Harris to learn more about his path to ownership with Footprints Floors.

1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?

Jeff Harris: I graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s in communications and majored in advertising with a minor in marketing. I started at a local Memphis ad agency and then moved to Manhattan to work for a big New York ad agency called Ammirati and Puris. 

While there, I worked on the BMW account as a media planner. I was creating media plans for BMW dealerships all over the country. After about four years, I left Manhattan and moved to Atlanta to work for a different ad agency called Backer & Spielvogel where I took on a different car account, Hyundai. I became an account executive at Hyundai for the Southeast region, but I was traveling all around the country. Backer & Spielvogel soon decided I would need to relocate to Dallas for Hyundai. After moving to Dallas and then back to Atlanta, I took on a position for a healthcare marketing firm in Memphis to be closer to family. I had a friend from my former agency days at American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC) which is the fundraising arm for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and he connected me with my current position. At ALSAC, we have an in-house agency model where I started as a marketing manager. We have fundraising offices in 36 cities across the U.S. and fundraising efforts were growing in all the offices. My role is to help develop these efforts with the marketing teams at the local offices. We created fundraising strategies for these regional marketing arms to utilize. I’ve done that for about 12 years and am now on the director team.

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising? 

Harris: I had a really good co-worker that started a franchise, Budget Blinds, in North Mississippi and he connected me with a franchise consultant who set me up with Footprints Floors after getting an understanding for what I was looking for. 

I would say I learned about franchising from my co-worker. In terms of lifestyle and being your own boss, he communicated the luxury of controlling your own schedule and not being at the mercy of layoffs. He enjoys the independence of being a small business owner. I hopefully see us mutually benefiting each other with referrals for each other's businesses.

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

Harris: The business model was already there because someone has already done the groundwork for me. I was also attracted to the fact that Footprints was seeing growth and success during this time. Footprints also has a quicker launch than opening your own business because of the tools they provide. 

I really enjoyed Footprints Floors’ process, as they have been very methodical about the screening process and vetting of my credentials. They want to make sure my skill set matches the skills they are looking for. 

1851: What types of brands did you look at?

Harris: Based on my answers to my franchise consultant’s questions, there were a lot of home improvement options that I looked at. I specifically looked at a handyman service from Ace Hardware. I’ve always thought a handyman service would be good because everyone seems to be looking for a good one. That opportunity would have required a brick-and-mortar office and three to four employees off the bat. Footprints made more sense because I can work from my house and contract labor.  

I liked the home improvement industry because it is somewhat recession-proof and it’s booming right now because of the pandemic. 

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

Harris: The whole discovery process for Footprints Floors was an enjoyable experience. It also has a simple model that doesn’t require rent or a need for an office. Footprints Floors has a great corporate team, their model has proven successful so far and they’re growing. I spoke to other franchisees so I could pick their brains about their experiences. Each week Footprints has calls for potential owners so that we could speak with current franchisees and there was a lot of transparency on that call. Flooring is always a big necessity for homeowners whether it’s new home construction or the floors need to be redone. I’ve already had colleagues at my current position say they will be calling me in the next few years. I think it’s a business that will remain strong for many years to come.

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

Harris: This is all so new to me, but I’m expecting it to really take off. My wish is to get my territory up and running to where everything is just clicking. If the other territory isn’t purchased later on, I would take a hard look at purchasing it as well.

I’m hoping maybe after college my son can join me in this business. I have always admired family-owned companies and how they have been passed down generations. I am looking forward to him working for me part-time over the summers and after graduation, we will see where that leads. I am not content with moderate growth and I’m excited to maximize my marketing knowledge and the potential of growing the business. 

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

Harris: A professionally branded flooring company that stands behind its work and shows up on time. I think a lot of local flooring companies are a one-man shop, which may or may not show up on time, and may not provide the level of quality that Footprints demands. I personally demand excellence. If you provide excellent service then you will be referred and customers will call you back. 

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

Harris: Work with a consultant and follow the process. Don’t feel the need to rush into anything. I was fortunate where I was still employed when I decided to go into this. Some people may think you’re crazy for quitting your job during a pandemic, but I ultimately feel good about the decision. You hate to see anyone gain from the current situation, but there are some industries that are doing very well, like residential flooring.

1851: What do you do in your personal time?

Harris: I am a big fan of thoroughbred horse racing. I own Harris Thoroughbreds LLC which was started by my father and I. My father passed away and I kept ownership of the business and continued to purchase thoroughbred racehorses for it. I enjoy horse racing, and, being in Memphis, we are near some big horse tracks. I get the chance to see my horses run and I keep up with all the hot trainers. Recently, we flew to Louisville and went to Churchill Downs to strike a deal with a trainer for our business. We regularly go to auctions and purchase yearlings through claiming races or auctions.