Meet Jerry Francois | Business owner of GFTC, Creative Director of PYNRS, entrepreneur and father, Community activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jerry Francois and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jerry, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My name is Jerry  Ernesto Francois, the owner of Goldfinger Track Club. My thought process behind starting my business was following my heart and trusting in God.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a creator of all things. Wellness, running, styling, and designing; the list goes on. I wear many hats but my true identity is Coaching. I run my own business called Goldfinger Track Club.

It is a yearly running membership where I provide private coaching for clients who want a more tailored personal program. Starting with The birth of my son Jaxx in 2020, it propelled me to redirect my focus on my dreams and aspirations to make this become a reality. After working for Nike for 6 years, I decided to leave the company and start my own business. I left to focus on my brand and business so that I could have the autonomy to be a Father, Coach, and runner. Jaxx being born was the catalyst to me starting Goldfinger Track Club. The support of my community gave me the last step in the confidence I needed to venture out on my own.

I am currently the director for PYRNS of NYC which is a Black-owned running apparel brand based in Boston and the only Black-owned running brand. I lead strategy, creativity, styling, storytelling, and designing for the NYC scene. My private coaching (#hirecoachj) has 26 clients right now. I work this hard for my son Jaxx, my community, family, and friends. GFTC is my baby. I believe my brand could go global in the next 5 years and I’ll die trying! May my mother Anna Francois rest in heaven; I love and hope to make her proud. The goal is to make the Francois name a franchise and pass it down to my legacy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are a lot of great places and things to do in my city, especially in Brooklyn. My favorite food spots are Brown Butter for breakfast, brunch, and vibes at Lips Cafe, coffee and Haitian Patties at DripBK, and Grand Champs. HashtagBK for a community run and some fire dress pieces.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank GOD first, and foremost because without him I wouldn’t be here living and serving my purpose. My angels above will continue to watch over Anna Francois, Grandma, Kim Pierre ( my niece ), and Carl Austin.

Secondly, I would like to thank everyone in my running community who believed in me first. Without them, I wouldn’t be here! GFTC, Joe Shayne, Jenn Shayne, Thomas, Gemma, Ping, Chloe, VBR, Dre, Chris Douge, Melinda, Dave Hall, Yesenia, my best friend Ash, Irv, Phil, Angelo, Sashah, Amanda Jane, Ashley, and everyone around me. Especially all those people who have given me the opportunities and beyond like Kelly, Chef James, Caedrynn, Bru, Drew Reynolds, and the list goes on! Newer faces in my life and people who help and lift me up as well. Day 1s like Lance, Shane, Kaydon, Troy, Calab, Briszeida, Adam, Hec, Wru crew, Malika, the running community, my Crown Shy/High family, and all my clients.

Website: Www.gftcnyc.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kingparkergold2001?igshid=OGIzYTJhMTRmYQ==

Image Credits
Image by Rich Bah( candid.runner Images by https://instagram.com/candid.runner?igshid=OGIzYTJhMTRmYQ== https://instagram.com/weligsander?igshid=OGIzYTJhMTRmYQ== https://instagram.com/drewreynolds_photo?igshid=OGIzYTJhMTRmYQ==
https://instagram.com/_bo0se?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==