Local Pastor Seeks To Serve Homeowners Via Footprints Floors Franchise Ownership

Alex Afrifa, registered nurse and local pastor, is now a Footprints Floors* franchisee. While the positions of a clergy member and a flooring franchise owner might not seem like they have a lot in common, Afrifa has found that both roles give him the chance to serve people. 

Why? He saw a need for more integrity in the home improvement industry after dealing with unreliable workers contracted to complete construction work on his church. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Afrifa to find out more about his franchising journey.

PROFILE QUESTIONS

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

Afrifa: I was a registered nurse, and I wanted to start a business. I am also a pastor of a local church in Bridgeport. I wanted to start something in the medical industry at first, but the process was just too slow. I started looking into construction because of my passion for home improvement. 

A couple of years back, I bought my own house and that is when I first got into home improvement. Then, we bought a building for the church and had to have some construction work completed. Contractors were coming in to complete the work, but they were unreliable, not cleaning up or showing up on time, and they were not keeping to a schedule. 

After that experience, I saw a need for integrity in this industry, and I started looking at home improvement franchises. 

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?

Afrifa: I did a lot of studying around the topic. People told me that, in franchising, you have to pay someone to be a part of their brand rather than being independent and making your own choices. But I liked the idea of franchising because of all the support it offers. You are given support by someone who is knowledgeable about the industry.

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

Afrifa: I realized that Footprints Floors has a good reputation. It's almost taking over the country with locations in roughly 41 states already. However, the most important reason why I chose Footprints is the simplicity of its business model. 

I have compared franchises within this industry. I was considering a roofing franchise, which could be quite lucrative, but I preferred the simplicity of Footprints Floors. I don't have to have a showroom. I don't have to employ anyone; I can use subcontractors. It checked all the boxes for me. 

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

Afrifa: I would love to grow my business. I would like to add at least one more territory. 

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

Afrifa: I have a passion for changing people's homes. It is so rewarding to see it finished. Your home is where you live. It is such an important space. You can take a beating out in the world. But then when you come home, you can relax and be with your family. 

I love my own home, and I wanted to provide this feeling to other people. I want to bring in some integrity to the home improvement industry, which has been so filled with inconsistency and frustration for clients. I want to change people's homes and their lives, and bring joy and happiness to them.

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

Afrifa: It is the best decision I've made. Having somebody to show you the way and holding your hand, helping you through what can be a daunting task is so beneficial. There is so much responsibility that comes with running a business, and franchising is absolutely the right way to approach it all. 

To learn more about franchising with Footprints Floors, visit https://footprintsfranchise.com/. 

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 160 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.