By: LaToya Hannah | Talon Assistant Editor
While many college students are simply trying to get ahead in life, Tallahassee Community College alumnus Kyle Footman, 23, has already become a successful CEO with the opening of his own car dealership, Footman Motorsports, and is the no. 1 rated realtor on social media in Tallahassee according to Property Spark.
At the age of 19, Footman became the youngest realtor in the Tallahassee area, according to Susan Ray, Communications Officer with the Tallahassee Board of Realtors. Footman explained during an interview with Black News Channel in May how a summer job at his father’s business Footman Brothers Concrete encouraged his drive for real estate.
“I was watching the dynamics of what was going on and I would see builders come out,” Footman said. “I would see realtors come out to the job sites. I would see everything that was going on. And I would be like, they’re working smarter, not harder. That really shaped my experience and got me into real estate.”
On Dec. 12, Footman is set to walk across the stage at Florida A&M University’s Al Lawson, Jr., Multipurpose Center to receive his bachelor’s degree in public relations.
His drive for real estate came from the fact that Footman didn’t believe in going to college but wanted to be successful. His passion was old cars.
Footman said when he was younger while most children his age were outside, running around, he would visit the racetrack.
“I didn’t want to go to college, because no male in my family has ever gone to college so I just kind of figured that it just wasn’t for us,” Footman, who has branded himself as Kyle the Realtor. “But then, I was like, ‘Kyle, that’s the reason why you should go to college, because no male in my family had.’ ”
In 2019, Footman announced he wanted to further his education at FAMU, following his graduation from Tallahassee Community College.
Dr. Kenya Thompkins, co-advisor of TCC’s Black Male Achievers program said Footman rose to the occasion while he was the Vice President of BMA.
“Kyle was quite successful in balancing the demands of being the Vice President with being a student and his real estate career. He seldom missed BMA meetings or activities,” Dr. Thompkins said in a recent email. “I was equally impressed that he set priorities and was able to graduate with his associate degree.”
Footman’s next big announcement came May 2, 2019, when Footman Motorsport held its official ribbon cutting ceremony. Since its opening, Footman Motorsports has enjoyed success, even in the middle of a pandemic.
Wharton University Management Professor J. Daniel Kim conducted a study titled, “Age and High-Growth Entrepreneurship,” that found most successful entrepreneurs are in their 40s. But he found that younger entrepreneurs are often successful because it is easier for them to think in a non-traditional way.
“Younger people might be more capable of disruptive ideas because they’re less beholden to existing paradigms or ways of doing things,” Kim said in a Q&A published on the Wharton University website. “The second idea is that young people just have more time and energy. Because starting a venture is a really taxing journey, that might put them at an advantage.”
With graduation closing in, Footman said he’s only getting started. His five-year plan includes him continuing selling real estate and expanding his car business.
“I plan to be in the real estate industry. I can see that for the rest of my life. What in the real estate industry? I don’t know. It may be still selling houses, I may get on the developing side. I may get on the commercial side. I don’t know,” Footman said. “When it comes to Footman Motorsports, I definitely want to continue that. And I want to branch that out to major cities like Houston, Atlanta, and Miami. And get more into the exotic cars. And then personally, I plan to get my Masters.”
So far, Footman has several satisfied customers and makes sure to promote that fact. He’s received several reviews on Zillow and his Footman Motorsports Instagram account with every car sold. On Zillow, there are two pages of reviews for Kyle’s customer service, engagement with his clients, and quick responses.
“Kyle was incredibly organized and diligent in working with the builder’s agent in making sure the process was as smooth as possible,” Yessica Golemme said. “Kyle was detail oriented and was always prepared and one step ahead. Not once did we have a problem reaching Kyle. He was always available and would get back to us in a timely manner.”
