When Walter Núñez left Lima, Peru at 17, he carried little more than determination and a student visa—but what he built from that courage would become a story of transformation and purpose. Today, he’s the founder and franchisor of A & P Painting & Flooring, a growing brand redefining the contracting industry by emphasizing professionalism, systems, and heart.
From Humble Beginnings to the Land of Opportunity
Walter grew up in a family of entrepreneurs who sold goods in local Peruvian markets to put food on the table. That early exposure to hard work shaped his instinct for business. When his uncle helped him secure a student visa, Walter seized the chance for a better life in the U.S.—even though he barely spoke English.
While attending college, he began buying and refurbishing old computers and phones to resell—a side hustle that soon grew into retail stores in Newark and Paterson, NJ. His professors joked that he had more real-world business experience than they did. Encouraged by success, Walter left college to pursue business full-time—earning him the title of “black sheep” in his family.
Learning, Risk-Taking, and Reinvention
Through grit and hustle, Walter built multiple Verizon Wireless retail stores—even through the 2008 recession. The experience honed his leadership, but it also exposed him to another world: construction and contracting. Managing store build-outs, he noticed a recurring problem—many skilled tradespeople lacked the business systems and professionalism needed to scale.
“They were great craftsmen but had zero sense of the opportunity in their hands,” Walter recalls.
That observation would later ignite his next venture.
The Birth of A & P Painting & Flooring
In 2018, Walter launched A & P Painting & Flooring in Atlanta, determined to “change the stigma of what it means to deal with contractors”. His mission was simple yet powerful: to elevate tradespeople into business owners through structure, systems, and community.
What started as a single operation quickly became a collaborative family enterprise. His wife, Carmen Núñez, joined the business and now leads community relations and sponsorship programs. Former employees have become franchise partners, turning A & P into an ever-expanding network built on trust and shared values.
“We would lose great employees to become partners,” Walter says. “It’s a good problem to have.”
By 2022, A & P had evolved into a full-fledged franchise system with locations across Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas.
A Culture Rooted in Family and Faith
Unlike many corporate franchise systems, A & P thrives on what Walter calls a “family culture.” Every partner, employee, and spouse is welcomed as part of the A & P family—a community that celebrates collaboration, not competition.
That authenticity extends to customers, too. “There’s a kind of magic that happens,” Walter says. “Profits rise when collaboration and happiness drive the work.”
Lessons in Leadership and Fear
Walter credits his success to both boldness and humility.
“There’s a fine line between being courageous and being reckless,” he reflects. “I’ve learned to be more cautious, to take a step back, breathe, and think things through.”
His greatest piece of advice? Overcome fear.
“Fear is our kryptonite. It’s what keeps us from reaching the next level,” he says. “Trust your instincts, learn the brand, talk to the franchisees—and then do it.”
From “Black Sheep” to Standard-Bearer
Once nearly disowned for leaving college, Walter is now the benchmark of success within his family and community. His journey—marked by risk, perseverance, and faith—is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes, it takes the courage to jump and build the plane on the way down.