Starting a floor coating business is an exciting step toward financial freedom, but getting your first clients can feel like the hardest part. Many new business owners struggle to build momentum without an established portfolio or word-of-mouth referrals.
Fortress Coatings supports franchise owners nationwide with everything they need to succeed, including marketing guidance, technical training, and business systems. If you’re ready to grow your new epoxy flooring franchise, the steps below will help you land your first clients and establish a strong local presence.
1. Start With the People You Know to Build Your Epoxy Flooring Franchise
Your network is the perfect place to begin. Reach out to family, friends, former coworkers, or neighbours who may need garage floor coatings or patio makeovers. Offer an introductory discount in exchange for a testimonial and permission to use photos.
This approach gives you the opportunity to:
- Gain real-world application experience
- Build trust with potential clients
- Gather content for your website and marketing materials
2. Set Up a Google Business Profile and Simple Website
Professional presence builds trust. At a minimum, create:
- A Google Business Profile with your address, service area, and business hours
- A clean, mobile-friendly website with photos, service descriptions, and customer reviews
These platforms make it easier for local homeowners and businesses to find you when searching terms like epoxy garage floor company or garage floor coatings near me.
3. Join Local Facebook Groups and Community Boards
Community-driven platforms are an easy and free way to get exposure. Join local Facebook groups, neighbourhood apps like Nextdoor, and community forums. Watch for conversations related to garages, basements, or home upgrades, and provide helpful insights.
You can also post:
- Before-and-after images
- Seasonal promotions
- Customer testimonials
Engagement in these groups builds awareness and generates leads, especially when your results speak for themselves.
4. Run a Time-Limited Offer for First Customers
Create urgency with a limited-time launch offer. For example:
“As part of our Epoxy Flooring Franchise launch, we’re now offering 15% off epoxy garage floor coatings for our first five clients in [Your City]!”
Post this on your website, social media, local directories, and flyers. A well-positioned launch special gives people a reason to act now and helps you quickly build your first case studies.
5. Build Referral Partnerships With Local Pros
Real estate agents, general contractors, and home inspectors often work with property owners who need aesthetic upgrades or durable flooring solutions. Introduce yourself and offer a sample service or a small, discounted demo in their space.
These professionals can become consistent sources of high-quality referrals, especially when they trust your work.
6. Highlight Your Training and Brand Support
Customers want confidence in your skill set. Sharing that you’ve completed professional epoxy flooring classes or epoxy floor training adds credibility, especially when you’re part of a trusted brand like Fortress Coatings.
As a Fortress Coatings franchisee, you’re not starting from scratch. You receive:
- Step-by-step launch guidance
- Hands-on application training
- Ongoing business coaching
- Access to a proven, high-performance coating system
This professional backing can set you apart from local competitors and one-man shops.
7. Document Every Project With Photos and Reviews
Every job is a marketing opportunity. Ask your customers for permission to photograph the space before and after the application. Request a short, honest review and post it across your:
- Website
- Google listing
- Social media pages
Photos and testimonials serve as visual proof of your work, reinforcing the quality and reliability of your service. Over time, they help build a powerful online presence.
8. Focus on Customer Service and Consistency
Reputation is everything in the coatings business. Simple things like:
- Showing up on time
- Communicating clearly
- Leaving the job site spotless
…can lead to future referrals and repeat business. Your first few clients are often your best marketing tool, so deliver an experience worth talking about.
At Fortress Coatings, a trusted name in the epoxy flooring franchise industry, we ensure franchisees deliver lasting quality with a premium coating system. Our basecoat features flexible polyurea designed to move with the concrete during seasonal expansion and contraction. Topped with a polyaspartic clear coat that resists UV damage, the system looks great and holds up over time.
We back our floors with a lifetime warranty on discoloration and a 15-year warranty on blistering, chipping, and delamination, giving customers peace of mind from the start.
Grow With Confidence From Day One
Securing your first few clients is a key milestone, but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right foundation, you can build credibility quickly, create steady cash flow, and begin scaling your epoxy flooring franchise.
Fortress Coatings provides everything new owners need to succeed, from expert training to marketing support and product innovation. You focus on delivering exceptional work, we’ll help you get found and grow.



