senior care franchise | Senior Home Care Franchise

Three Reasons to Start a Senior Assistance Services Franchise

According to the Administration on Aging, as of 2009 there were 39.6 million people in the US aged 65 or older, which represented 12.9 percent of the population at that time. These numbers are expected to increase dramatically by 2030, to around 72.1 million. The growing demographic of seniors in this country translates to a growing need for senior assistance services.

There are many reasons to consider starting a senior care services franchise. Here we discuss a few:

Fulfilling a Growing Need — With the aging Baby Boomer population, the number of elderly folks in the US is expected to double over the next 15 years, which will dramatically increase demand for in-home assistance. Many seniors would prefer to stay in their homes and maintain as much independence as possible, rather than live in an assisted living facility. By starting an in-home assistance franchise, you will be fulfilling a growing need in this country.

Doing Meaningful Work — A growing number of seniors will need both non-medical and in the coming years and decades. By starting a senior care franchise you’ll make a real difference in the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of seniors who will need help with daily activities.

Working in a Recession-Resistant Market — Unlike many consumer products that people often go without during times of recession, medical and living assistance are essential services. Considering the fact that seniors are the fastest growing segment of the population, and considering the numbers of seniors who will require assistance in the coming years, elder care services is considered to be a recession-proof industry.

As with starting any business, there are many considerations, and careful planning is required in order to be successful. If starting an assisted living franchise appeals to you, considering franchising with Always Best Care, consistently ranked among the top 100 franchises in the United States. Learn more on our website.

To learn more about franchising in the senior care industry, download our FREE eBook today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Top Five Home-Care Myths and How to Dispel Them

Most seniors, when asked, respond that they would prefer to remain in their homes as they age, rather than move to an assisted living facility. Often, however, the homes in which they have lived for many years have become too big to maintain, or they begin to have health issues, and their family members can’t always be there to help. Still, many seniors and their family members remain wary of hiring help from a home care business, largely due to a few misconceptions surrounding in-home care. Here are five of the most common myths regarding non-medical home care:

Only very sick people need home care.

While it’s true that very ill people may seek in-home care, non-medical home care businesses also provide simple services, like homemaking, personal care, or companionship.

Home care is too expensive.

Compared to other senior care services, home care is one of the most affordable options. A large percentage of family caregivers over-estimate the costs of non-medical care by as much as $6.00 per hour. Additionally, some clients of in-home care franchises only require services for a few hours per week.

Home care clients have no say about who comes into their homes.

Caregivers are often carefully matched to clients’ needs and interests, and professional home-care workers are carefully screened.

In-home care will reduce the client’s independence.

This is often the top concern of seniors who are considering home care, and it’s tough to convince them that, in fact, the opposite is true. A professional caregiver can help the client remain in the home, while helping to keep them socially engaged, providing transportation to favorite activities, and helping prevent falls and other accidents which can reduce a senior’s mobility.

If a family caregiver is present, there is no need to hire a home care worker.

If a family caregiver is on-call 24 hours a day, this can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion. Burned-out caregivers cannot provide quality care, no matter how much they may wish to. By hiring a home-care worker, families can give the primary caregiver crucial respite and relief, without having to remove the senior relative from his or her home.

For franchising opportunities and information on the senior care industry, download our FREE eBook today!

Please refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Exploring and Maximizing Leadership Styles

In our previous blog post, we took a look at the six major leadership styles, as described by Harvard researcher and leadership expert Daniel Goleman. As a senior care franchise owner, you lead a diverse team of individuals, and you’ve got to know how to get the most out of them.

The first step in your journey of leadership self awareness is determining which leadership style comes most naturally to you. Then you can shift your style, as needed. But it’s also necessary to learn how to employ the other five styles — even if they don’t seem natural, using them during the proper times can help you steer your franchise in the right direction.

Let’s take a deeper look at the six styles!

#1 — Coercive Leadership

Is this you?
If you are a coercive leader, it’s natural for you to demand that people do what you tell them, without question. You expect high achievement and big results without a lot of debate.

When it works
This style is the most effective when your franchise is in crisis mode or you need a quick turnaround. It is useful when you need to “shock” people into a new way of doing things.

When it doesn’t work
The coercive style should only be used when absolutely necessary; otherwise it can have a severe negative impact on collaboration, flexibility and morale.

#2 — Authoritative Leadership

Is this you?
Authoritative leaders display tremendous enthusiasm and possess a clear vision. Leaders of this type are powerful motivators.

When it works
Of the six leadership styles, this one is the most versatile and effective, overall. It allows leaders to get the most out of their people by inspiring them to greatness.

When it doesn’t work
This style can fail when teams of experts don’t respect the leader’s knowledge, or when big changes are required.

#3 — Affiliative Leadership

Is this you?
Affiliative leaders put people first. If you are such a leader, your focus tends to be on creating harmony, fostering communication and building empathy.

When it works
The Affiliative style works well when it’s necessary to boost morale and/or get people to work together more collaboratively, with greater harmony and a sense of unity.

When it doesn’t work
Because this style focuses so much on giving praise, it can be ineffective when it’s time to address poor performance among team members.

#4 — Democratic Leadership

Is this you?
If you are a democratic leader, you believe in the power of consensus and the importance of getting your team members to “buy in” to the mission of your franchise.

When it works
This style is particularly effective when you are unsure of a direction to take, or you need to untangle a thorny situation. It builds morale because it values the opinions and thoughts of employees so highly.

When it doesn’t work
Democratic leaders can get caught up in meetings and the search for consensus, so much so that they fail to take action when decisiveness is the best course.

#5 — Pacesetting Leadership

Is this you?
If the phrase, “lead by example,” resonates with you, then you are probably a pacesetting leader. You know how to do things “the right way” and you’re always ready to show your team how things ought to be done.

When it works
When used sparingly, this style can motivate a team and show your people that you’re willing to get in “the trenches” and perform hard work for your franchise.

When it doesn’t work
Pacesetting leadership can have a negative organizational impact when it’s overused, especially when it’s employed during times when team members need to build confidence in themselves.

#6 — Coaching Leadership

Is this you?
You believe in your people and you want them to achieve their goals. You often put franchise goals on the back burner so you can counsel your people and help them do their best.

When it works
This is the best style to employ when employees are eager to learn and hungry to find out new, better ways of doing things.

When it doesn’t work
This style is ineffective when leaders lack the expertise to coach their people with authority. It can also backfire when employees are apathetic and unwilling to learn.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Life Experience: How Your Story Can Inform Your Senior Care Franchise

If you’re considering senior care franchise ownership, you’ve probably thought a lot about how your experience qualifies you to operate your own business in this growing industry. For instance, if you come from the corporate world, you probably have a clear understanding of how your franchise should be run, operationally. If you are a skilled networker, for instance, you might be considering the ways in which you can promote your franchise through reaching out to individuals and other businesses locally. Your professional experience will certainly go a long way in helping you to run your franchise effectively, but what about the other types of experience and expertise you possess?

What about your life experience?

As it turns out, your personal life experiences can come in handy as you navigate your way through the senior care world as a franchise owner.

Lessons Learned from the Seniors in Your Life

Everyone has parents and grandparents, and even though each individual’s family experience is different, there’s no doubt that you have learned a thing or two from interacting with older individuals in your life.

Think about your relationships with your parents, grandparents or other older loved ones: is there anything that stands out? Like many family members of older individuals, you’ve probably experienced some of the hardships associated with finding quality senior care.

Now that you’re considering senior care as a franchise opportunity, you have a chance to provide solutions to the issues you’ve witnessed in your own life with seniors. You can take what you know about how your loved ones have been cared for and use those lessons to help make your business a real, helpful resource for the elderly (and their families) in your community.

Empathy for Families of Seniors

Children and other family members of seniors who require non-medical in-home care face special challenges. And for many of them, it feels like they’re doing it all alone.

As a senior care franchise owner, you can show families in your community that you understand what they’re going through. Finding high-quality senior care is not always easy — families need to know that they can trust providers fully. If you’re able to get on the same page with your potential clients by relating stories from your personal experience, you can help them understand what makes your business so special.

Your Life Experience Can Set You Apart

Owning a franchise in the senior care industry is a great way to be in business these days, but it also presents countless opportunities for you to take what you’ve learned in your personal life and apply it in a way that immeasurably helps other families in your area. And when you can combine your professional and personal experience effectively as a senior care franchise owner, you can truly set yourself apart from the competition — there is no one like you, and there is no business that can offer the specific attributes you bring to the table!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom?

Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners!

Download our FREE franchising eBook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Area Representatives — 3 Ways They Help You Run Your Franchise

The advantages of going into business as a senior care franchise owner are numerous, but perhaps the most attractive aspect of operating a franchise vs. going the startup route is the system of support that’s in place for you. As an in-home senior care franchise owner, you aren’t starting from scratch; you’re beginning your new business with a road map and a proven system all in place.

The proven system includes strategies and tools for marketing and hiring, but it also includes the wisdom and support of people who understand what it’s like to run a business like yours. And for many franchise owners in our industry, the most crucial person in the system of support is the Area Representative.

What is an Area Representative, and how can they help you operate your franchise as effectively and efficiently as possible?

Let’s take a look!

#1 — Your Area Representative Has a Vested Interest In Your Business

If your ability to run your business well didn’t make a difference to your Area Representative, they probably wouldn’t be quite so invested in your potential success. But Area Representatives depend on franchise owners like you to follow the system and employ their own helpful strategies. Their ability to succeed is tied directly to yours, so they are going to be there for you whenever you need to know how to move forward.

They’ve been in your shoes, and they can give you advice that comes from a place of genuine care and faith in your business!

#2 — Your Area Representative Is Your Local “First Responder”

People who run startups and other non-franchise types of businesses don’t have experts to call at a moment’s notice when a crucial decision must be made. They are on their own, and that’s a scary place to be.

With an Area Representative in your franchise’s corner, you always have someone available to respond quickly and give you the guidance you need to move forward confidently and with the best interests of your business in mind. Having an expert who is just a phone call, email or text away is a significant boon to your ability to operate your business well.

#3 — Your Area Representative Provides Magnificent Motivation!

Sometimes as a business owner, you just need someone to give you a pep talk or a positive perspective. When you own a franchise with Always Best Care, you can rest assured knowing that such a motivating presence is always there for you.

It’s an exciting business, but it’s also full of challenges that can leave franchise owners feeling frustrated. When an Area Representative is available, it can make all the difference in the world during times of struggle.

True Teamwork to Help You Run Your Franchise

Owning and operating a franchise is a terrific way to go into business for yourself, giving you an opportunity to call the shots and make important decisions. But you also get to take advantage of a team of experts who are there to help you, and the cornerstone of that team is your Area Representative. They’ve been where you are now, and they know how to navigate the world you’re entering as a franchise owner.

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Hire the Best for Your Senior Care Franchise

As a senior care franchise owner, you’re going to have to hire caregivers to provide the services that your clients require, and we’ve covered tips on hiring excellent people in previous blog posts. But what about help when it comes to administering your business and making sure your efforts are spent where they are most needed? You can’t do it all by yourself, so it’s important to take the right steps when it comes to bring others on board. Thankfully, we’ve got some great tips!

What Do You Do Best?

As you consider the structure of your business and the roles you want to fill through hiring, it’s important to consider your priorities, talents and needs. Take some time to sit down with a notebook and ask yourself some tough questions. The answers will help you determine the type of personnel that you need to make sure your business runs as efficiently as possible.

What do you insist on doing yourself? Why?
What do you dislike doing on your own? Why?
In what areas would you consider yourself an expert?
In what areas do you feel like you’re far from an expert?
Do you need assistance with leadership?
Do you need help with senior care side of the business?
Do you need help with the administrative side of the business?
Where are your “blind spots”?

These might be some tough questions to answer, especially if you’re accustomed to taking on every challenge by yourself. But by examining your strengths, weaknesses and needs, you can begin to paint a picture of the types of people you can bring in to offer real, valuable help to your business.

Evaluating Potential Employees

Once you’ve considered what your role should be as the leader of your franchise, you should also have a clear picture of what you’re not going to tackle. These are the areas you’re hiring for!

It’s important to cast a wide net in your community to find the right people, and it’s crucial to explain exactly what you’re looking for as you draft your hiring notices. The clearer you are in the description of what you require, the better your chances of finding the ideal employees.

As you look through resumes and applications, think about what you value in an employee, whether it’s experience, positivity or any other important qualities. The Interview

Once you’ve whittled down potential candidates, it’s time to sit down with them face-to-face. Here is where you can determine how well the potential employee will work with you. Be prepared with good questions designed to tease out the person’s ability (or inability) to complement what you are doing as owner. Really pay attention to the individual’s passion for senior care and helping others when discussing positions that are visible to the community. Your business is a special part of your community, and you need to make sure that the people who represent you are there for something bigger than themselves.

Once you’ve gone through this process, you can feel confident that when your new hire signs the dotted line, you’ll be embark on a long, collaborative and fruitful relationship!

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Boost Your Social Media Power

Social media is increasingly becoming an essential marketing tool for franchise owners in the senior care industry, and it’s the people who take the initiative to spearhead their own campaigns that stand to see the best results.

If you are a senior care franchise owner, or are considering becoming one, it’s important that you take advantage of all the social media marketing tools provided to you by the corporate office. But it might be even more important for you to dive into social media marketing yourself.

Why Social Media?

If using social media as a marketing tool doesn’t seem like a good use of your time and energy, consider this:

– Social media platforms allow you to connect with real people in real time
– The use of social media gives you the chance to be topical and relate aspects of your business to things that are going on in the world right now
– Twitter, Facebook and other popular social media platforms make it possible for you to generate interest and “buzz” much faster than other types of media
– Social media can connect you with the right people to help your business grow on the local level, which is where the rubber hits the road for your business

There are numerous reasons for you to use social media to help you grow your in home senior care business, so how can you make sure that you’re using it efficiently and effectively?

Let’s take a look!

5 Social Media Tactics Senior Care Franchise Owners Can Use Right Now!

#1 — Run a Twitter Poll

Twitter is loaded with features that not everyone knows about. One of these features is the ability to run polls. It’s a great way to engage your audience and get a sense of what’s on their minds.

#2 — Start Using Great Imagery

Posts on social media platforms perform much, much better when they’re accompanied by an image of some kind. You don’t have to be a great artist or photographer to make an impact; but if you can show, for example, some smiling senior faces, you’re likely to increase engagement and positive feelings about your business!

#3 — Integrate Video

Video content rules the web these days, so make sure you take advantage of the public’s hunger for moving pictures! You don’t have to overdo it, and you don’t need to be super creative — simply linking to a relevant video is often enough to get people to take notice.

#4 — Show Your Authority and Expertise

Have you read some interesting statistics or facts about senior care recently? Are there things about your business that people would be surprised to know? Use your social media platforms to express your authority and expertise as a senior care expert, and you’ll build trust in the community.

#5 — Connect With Other Local Businesses

One of the best ways to make an impact through social media on the local level is to reach out to other businesses that you may be able to partner with. Be friendly and reach out to businesses that are adjacent to the industry. And don’t be afraid to share posts relevant to your specific location. This practice can be extraordinarily powerful!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Need a Better Way to Be Your Own Boss? Consider Franchise Ownership!

When people think about the “American dream,” they tend to envision a nice home, a loving family and a rewarding professional life. The concept of independence also comes to mind, with many Americans dreaming of lives in which they are their own bosses.

Being your own boss is challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding aspects of living the “American dream.” Entrepreneurs embody this spirit, taking risks and confronting challenges in the name of freedom and independence. They also love the notion of providing for their families with an income derived from pursuing their own professional goals — not the goals of a boss or a corporation.

But traditional entrepreneurship is not right for everyone. It looks good on paper to many people, but in reality, it’s just too much to take on, especially when they have families to support. And for many would-be entrepreneurs, there are too many potential pitfalls: What if they don’t have the right business plan? What about filling out and filing the proper legal documents? How will they know how much capital is needed to get a brand-new venture off the ground.

Thankfully, there is a wonderful alternative to the traditional model of entrepreneurship; one in which there is a tremendous amount of support and assistance available: franchise ownership!

A Different Way to Be Your Own Boss

Franchise ownership has emerged as an ideal option for those entrepreneurs who would rather follow an established model than start from scratch. It involves following a system and the guidance of experts, but it’s one of the best ways for modern entrepreneurs to become their own bosses. The benefits of owning and operating one’s own business remain, but with the additional benefits of having access to a system of support and expertise that would not be available under the traditional entrepreneurship model.

Franchise Ownership in the Senior Care Sector

Franchise ownership is a great way to be your own boss, but selecting the right franchise can be a challenge. Everyone knows about fast-food franchises, but there are numerous alternatives available to suit the entrepreneurial needs of people from all walks of life and business. One of the most intriguing industries for franchise ownership is senior care.

The in home senior care industry is rising, and many of the opportunities that are available in this growing sector of the economy are in franchise ownership. Senior care franchising allows entrepreneurs to be their own bosses, but it includes the added benefit of the opportunity to serve and help others.

Consider Always Best Care

Always Best Care is a leader in the senior care industry, and we’re always looking for compassionate, driven people to join our company as franchise owners. Our proven system provides a clear roadmap, and our people are always there to help. For those looking to be their own bosses, Always Best Care is a terrific choice for the next chapter of professional life!

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

Award-Winner Kelly Britton Talks About Expansion of Her Senior Care Franchise

Kelly Britton is the owner of the Always Best Care franchise providing senior care in North Houston and she’s one of our company’s rising stars! In so many ways, Kelly exemplifies the ideal ABC franchise owner thanks to her background, experience and knowledge. But it’s her passion for providing excellent, compassionate care that truly sets her apart.

Recently, we sat down with Kelly – recipient of the prestigious ABC “Rookie of the Year” award for 2016 – to ask her about franchise ownership in the senior care industry. Her enthusiasm for senior care was infectious and her passion for her business was on full display.

If you’re wondering what it’s like to be a a franchise owner for Always Best Care, you’re in for a treat!

(This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity)

Can you give me a little background about yourself, your story and how you came onboard with ABC?

Sure! I am a registered and licensed dietician, so I have been working with seniors in some way, shape or form for the past 20 years. I primarily worked as a consultant for long-term care facilities, which consisted mainly of skilled nursing homes.

I became really frustrated with the care that seniors were getting in those places, and I just thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be nice if I had a service where I could put a private-duty caregiver with someone so they could get one-on-one care and be able to stay at home and age in place?”

My father also died at an early age and wanted to stay at home — “Don’t ever put me in a nursing home!” he said.

So we all took shifts and took turns taking care of him at home, which was where he wanted to be.

I know what families are going through. I’m really able to sympathize and walk them through that process.

I’ve noticed that among franchise owners — there’s that personal connection that often drives them and makes senior care attractive as a business.

Absolutely! You really have to have a love for working with seniors and helping people through that process.

So this has been a focus in your life, and especially in your professional life, hasn’t it?

Yes! As a dietician, I was helping seniors manage the symptoms of aging through nutrition. Mainly, they were moving towards the end of life, so I was actually trying to put weight on them instead of helping them lose weight.

You know, it was a nice transition, and I really use my nutrition knowledge a lot in my franchise. I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve done so well.

I can definitely see how that would have a positive impact! Is there anything in particular that led you to franchise ownership as opposed to a more traditional, corporate career? Why Always Best Care?

I live in Houston, which is probably one of the worst traffic areas, so as a dietician consultant, I was actually driving to a different facility every day. When you’re putting in an eight- or ten-hour day at a facility and then you’ve got another three-hour, round-trip commute, it gets a little crazy, so I wasn’t able to be home as much as I wanted to be.

I have kids, so any time they had appointments, it was just too hard to try to get home. So that got me thinking; I wanted to own my own business and I thought, “What could I go into that I know something about?”

So I started researching things, and, of course, I have a degree in dietetics and a minor in food science, so I thought, “Okay, maybe a restaurant or something,” you know? Then I really got to thinking, “I know something about seniors,” and just came across the idea of senior franchise ownership.

I looked at, probably, three different ones. And I really liked Always Best Care because it had a couple of different streams of revenue: you could do the in-home care, but also the assisted-living placement, which I really enjoy doing. It’s almost kind of like being a Realtor; I’ve always wanted to be a Realtor, too, so I get to go around and show people places that I’ve already toured and looked at.

We really just started looking — my husband and I — narrowing our options down. We decided that Baby Boomers are aging, and in the area we’re in – the North Houston area – it’s more of an affluent area, so we were thinking, “It would be great if we could have a home business that’s local and we could give back to the community.”

I really find that I love networking. I love getting out and visiting with the community and seeing what people have to offer. And I can keep that in mind for my clients, too, whenever the need arises.

Are there any special programs or initiatives that you’ve taken on to serve the specific needs of seniors in your communities?

What I realized is that I needed to start doing more education for people — even younger people. So wherever they would let me go and speak, I would speak to all kinds of groups, including the National Charity League. I’ve talked to pastors at churches and various senior groups.

I did a lot of marketing that way. Possibly one of my biggest referral sources has been my business networking groups. Again, it’s just getting involved in the community so that you’re “top of mind” to people in the area.

I really try to position myself as a senior-care expert, so when I go and talk to all of my networking groups, I’m letting them know, “Hey! If you’ve got a neighbor, a friend, someone at church, a colleague that’s struggling with senior issues, call me! I’m your local senior-care expert!”

I can help them. Or if I can’t, I will find someone who can because I’m plugged in to the senior community. I’ve really tried to position myself in that way. You know, I’ll do radio shows, anything anybody wants — I don’t say, “no,” to anything! (Laughs)

I help people wrap their heads around concepts like, “what does an aging parent look like? What are some signs and symptoms? What can you expect around here, cost-wise? What does Medicare cover? What does it not cover?” So many people think that Medicare is going to cover everything.

I really started noticing that I just need to educate more people, and hopefully that will trickle down through the generations. That really has been my platform.

As far as thinking outside of the box and doing things that aren’t really set for us by Always Best Care, I went with the franchise because I enjoy the idea that things are “pre done” and I don’t have to reinvent the wheel, you know?

I wanted some systems in place, some forms in place — things like that — so I could have a quick start up. Of course, I always tweak stuff because that’s just me! (Laughs) I like to change things up a little bit. So I work to develop and tweak the forms to fit my clientele.

We also do a lot of transportation, and I’ve been marketing that, as well.

Social media is really big for me, too, and, again, I want to be that local expert for people who are following us and getting information out to them.

How important has training and support been? How would you describe it to those who are considering a franchise with ABC?

Again, that’s one of the reasons why I really liked the idea of a franchise brand because I wanted the support, and I really have found that the support has been great.

The initial training was great. I liked getting to know the key people in the corporate area of Always Best Care, and knowing that I can pick up the phone, call them and they’re going to help me with whatever I need. That makes me feel valued, and it’s just nice to know that.

I like knowing that they’ve already done a lot of the hard work and the legwork because you get really busy — you just don’t have the time to do all the little stuff. So I think having the franchise that kind of helps you along the way is invaluable. And just the presence of them online and all of the stuff that they’re doing with the national advertising fund — I just couldn’t imagine being a small Mom-and-Pop operation trying to compete with some of these big corporations.

We are all individuals who have purchased franchises. We’ve purchased the same franchise rules, but we’re all individuals, so we’re going to apply our own personal beliefs and our own personal values to those rules. I think that’s what makes some franchises better than others to work for.

All of my caregivers have told me that we’re one of the best care companies they’ve ever worked for. They appreciate that we value them and that we communicate with them. That’s really important to me. I would say that customer service is the most important thing, and that’s with the caregivers, as well.

I think the franchise definitely helped me launch quickly and ramp up quickly.

It seems like the franchise gives you the freedom — freedom you wouldn’t necessarily have as a solo business owner — to go out and take on initiatives, talk to community people and position yourself as an authority. Is that fair to say?

Absolutely!

When you’re starting out and you’re wearing all the hats, it’s really difficult to devote the time to all the social media and other initiatives when you really need to be out there marketing and building your name, so that’s absolutely true. Yes.

Is that something that you plan on continuing to do, or will you hand that particular duty off to someone else soon?

I’ve done some interviews with some people; it’s just really hard to find people that have the passion — the same passion that you would have on some things, so that’s why I’ve decided to continue to do it for now. When the right person comes along, I’ll know.

Also, I like to promote from within, and I’ve got some caregivers that really show, you know, promise for some other skills. I just want to get them working and understanding how the business works from the bottom up, and then I might offer something like that to one of them. I just haven’t found the right person. I actually think that finding the right people is something that everyone struggles with to some degree.

What are some of the ways in which you’ve grown – and your business has grown – as a franchise owner?

Well, for my first full calendar year, which was 2015, I won the Rookie of the Year award. That’s based on the fastest startup and continued growth each month.

Things leveled off temporarily when I lost a 24-hour case. She had passed away, sadly. When you lose clients like that, it can really hurt. But we’re ramping back up!

I think we’re over 2,400 hours of care so far this month. We have about 25 caregivers. We are constantly hiring and recruiting. We have a good little system down, which seems to work. We’re paying caregiver referral bonuses and things like that if current staff members bring other caregivers to us. There are a lot of incentives.

You’re doing well enough to where this is an ongoing process, where you’re always on the lookout for new people to help you grow your business?

Absolutely! We’re interviewing every week. We hold an orientation either every week, or every other week.

Can you describe the hiring system that you mentioned?

We use the Hireology System, which is paid for through the Always Best Care national advertising fund, and it’s a great tool. We actually get a pretty steady stream through there. Otherwise, we do occasionally have to post an ad here and there. We also offer incentives for referral bonuses and things like that if current caregivers bring other caregivers to us.

I also have my staffing coordinator and the training coordinator sit in on the interviews. One of them has clinical skills, so she’s really able to assess if what candidates are talking about is really true.

We have a pre-test, and we have interview questions asking about their experience and skills, prompting them to talk about what they are able to do as caregivers. We really listen to those stories and how they tell them. We really look for that passion.

And, obviously, we do all of the background checks and we call all of the references. Then we schedule new hires for an orientation. We have nice little caregiver packets that we give them with goodies just to make it fun. We watch videos, too, of course.

Then we do a monthly training via email. Also, every quarter, we get all of the caregivers together and we do more on-site training. It’s more of a caregiver-appreciation lunch, but we throw in some education in there, too.

Communication is really big for us, too, so we’re always texting and sending out information and reminders.

Based on your experience and wisdom, what would you tell readers who might be at a professional crossroads and who may be considering senior care franchise ownership?

I would say I really wish I had done it sooner!

I was one of those people who was on the fence, myself, because I was really into security and knowing that I had a paycheck every two weeks from my boss. I really thought that I was meant for so much more than what I was doing. I just had to really trust myself.

It was really hard to take the leap — I was really scared, but once I got in, I was like, “Gosh! Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

I could never go back to a nine-to-five job. Once you have that flexibility, being able to be home more with your family and all of those little perks that you can get from working at home, going to good meetings, networking and things like that — it’s just not like the work that you used to do. It’s different work – it’s more rewarding.

Having enough capital — I think that’s really important, especially if you’re like me and you’re just really worried about if it’s going to do well. So making sure that you have the capital so you can sleep at night and that peace of mind that you need to take that leap is really important. So is trust: trust in your skills and what you’re capable of.

I definitely say do it. Do it because you’re looking at long-term growth and what you can give to your family later on. The first few years might be a little hard as far as starting up, and there’s going to be some longer days, work and worries. But I think that once you reach that 18-month mark, you finally see that light at the end of the tunnel. It all comes together.

It’s definitely worth taking a risk on yourself.

I just love what I do! It’s tough work, but it’s so rewarding!

Many thanks to Kelly Britton for her time! To learn more about Kelly’s franchise, visit the Always Best Care North Houston website.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our free franchising E-Book today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.

How to Set Up Your Franchise Facebook Page

As a senior care franchise owner, it’s crucial for you to be able to market your business well. Of course, franchising gives you access to tools and expertise from your area representatives, as well as powerful name recognition for your brand. However, there are a number of marketing initiatives that you can take on to ensure that people know you’re offering outstanding in home senior care in your community. These days, marketing means being able to make an impact online, and one of the best places to make an impact is on Facebook.

Your Facebook Business Page is an essential plank in your overall franchise marketing platform, but you need to set it up properly to ensure that you get the results you want.

A Page, Not a Profile

First of all, you need to make sure that your business has an official Facebook Page, which is different from a Facebook profile. A profile is what you have for your personal use, allowing you to interact with family and friends. A page is a separate creation that identifies itself through its direct association with a business or other entity. Using a Page is much more professional, plus it ensures that you remain within the boundaries of Facebook’s Terms of Use.

Getting started with your page is easy! Just go to your personal account and select the option for “Create New Facebook Page.” You’ll be guided through all of the steps for the initial creation of your page.

Spruce it Up!

Facebook will take you through the basic steps for setting up your page, which allows you to do the bare minimum to get it up and running. However, it’s important that you take some time to add a detailed description and a good selection of images. Choose your profile picture carefully — the thumbnail of this image will appear in all of your Page interactions. Also, be sure to select a cover photo that is 851 x 315 pixels, or at least 399 x 150 pixels (Facebook will resize it). Otherwise, your page will look less than professional.

Admin Privileges

As the creator of your Facebook Page, you have exclusive administrative access. You may want to give others access, though, so you can have your team post updates and interact with others.

To add users as “admins,” simply click on the option to “Edit Page,” then you can select (or deselect) users for admin access. Please note that admins need to have user profiles in order to be given access to your Page.

Promoting Your Page

When you set up your Facebook Business Page, it won’t have any “Likes.” In order to get people to pay attention to your Page, invite friends from your personal profile and begin promoting your Page in blog posts and through postings on other social media platforms. You can also create a Facebook “badge” to place on your website, which will send users directly to your Page when they click on it. Of course, you can always use Facebook Ads to generate interest in your Page; just make sure that you use your advertising budget wisely and that you take time to focus on a targeted audience to make the greatest impact.

Are you interested in learning more about what it takes to be successful as a senior care franchise owner during the aging-in-place boom? Always Best Care is here to help you navigate the industry as one of our franchise owners! Download our FREE franchising ebook today to learn more and refer to our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for important details.