Footprints Floors Franchisee Finds New Path After Retirement

In 2023, Rich Ricciardi retired from the Secret Service after working for the government for over 25 years. He wanted to do something on his own for his next chapter. In search of a faith-based franchise that aligned with his beliefs, Ricciardi came across Footprints Floors, the flooring franchise with over 160 territories nationwide.

After initially considering Footprints Floors and setting it aside, Ricciardi revisited the opportunity a few months later. He received a follow-up email, prompting him to take a closer look. As he explored further and engaged with the company, he was impressed by its family-oriented atmosphere and the support offered by the corporate team and CEO. The brand's values resonated with Ricciardi and his wife, ultimately leading them to decide to move forward with the franchise. Now, they are bringing Footprints Floors to the Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Charlottesville Virginia areas.

Ricciardi's journey into franchising with Footprints Floors began after he decided to retire and do something different. Prior to moving to Virginia, his last assignment was in Estonia, working at the embassy there. He had been working for the government for a while, first in the military and then in the Secret Service, and felt ready to do something on his own.

Franchise selection process

Ricciardi's perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee was that good franchises have good systems in place, which increases the chances of being successful with a business. He understood a little bit about what makes a good franchise versus something that may not be a real good opportunity.

Ricciardi was drawn to Footprints Floors because it is a faith-based franchise that aligns with his beliefs. He initially came across the company while searching online for faith-based franchises. He was impressed by the company's family-oriented atmosphere and the support offered by the corporate team and CEO. After traveling to Colorado and meeting with the corporate team and CEO, he saw that it's very family oriented and how much they really strive to give you the support you need to be successful as a franchisee.

Ricciardi's goals for his business include building the brand name in the area, building relationships with customers, and gaining their trust. He hopes to give back to the community in certain ways and ultimately use the business as a vehicle of being a blessing to others. It's not only about being financially secure on their side, but also about having it as a vehicle of being a blessing to others in some way.

Keys to success

Ricciardi believes that having a servant mindset is key to success in franchising. He wants to make it clear that he's just an average person and doesn't want to make the business about himself. He believes that everyone, from the CEO to the corporate team, should have a servant mindset and be focused on serving customers, charities, or the community in some way through their business and its success.