1851

For 29-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgediekelman/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=at-just-29-george-diekelman-transforms-personal-experience-into-a-mission-with-right-at-home-2729014" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">George Diekelman</a>, the decision to buy a&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=at-just-29-george-diekelman-transforms-personal-experience-into-a-mission-with-right-at-home-2729014" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Right at Home*</a> franchise in Germantown, Wisconsin, was personal. Having witnessed his own family navigate the challenges of caregiving for his grandmother with dementia, he saw firsthand how overwhelming it could be. Instead of continuing his career in software sales, he set out to build a business that would provide the kind of support his family had needed — helping seniors stay safely in their homes while offering relief to overwhelmed families.Diekelman knew he wanted to own a business, but he didn’t want just any business. He explored industries from landscaping to signage, but none felt as meaningful as home care. When he connected with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/info">Right at Home</a>, the difference was immediate. The company’s track record, the support system for franchisees and the community of like-minded owners gave him confidence that this was the right fit. Now, he's focused on expanding services, building partnerships and ensuring more seniors receive the care they need.For Diekelman, franchising isn’t just about business ownership — it’s about impact. Every day, his team steps in to fill critical gaps in care, especially for seniors whose families live far away or need extra support. Since acquiring the Germantown location in March 2025, he’s bringing fresh energy and a strong sense of purpose to an industry that’s only growing in demand.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke to Diekelman about his franchise journey and plans for the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?George Diekelman:&nbsp;I spent the last five years selling software while also building a residential rental property business. I wanted to acquire a business in 2025, something that allowed me to be more involved in and help the community rather than working a traditional W-2 job.I explored several businesses, from landscaping to sign companies, but ultimately, home care resonated with me on a personal level. My grandmother has dementia, and I saw firsthand how difficult it was for my aunts, uncles and mother as primary caregivers. That experience showed me the value of providing relief to families, whether it’s one day a week or every day. I saw a real need for these services in the counties we serve and knew it was something meaningful I wanted to be a part of.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Diekelman:&nbsp;I saw value in having a support system from the corporate office and a proven playbook from other successful franchisees. The established standards and procedures allow us to provide a high level of care in our communities. Having access to best practices and the ability to implement them in our own business has been a key advantage.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Diekelman:&nbsp;What excited me most was the people. From the initial phone calls with the Right at Home team to visiting them in Omaha, everyone was genuinely willing to help. Seeing their track record over the last 30 years and talking to other franchise owners about their experiences gave me confidence that this was the right choice.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Diekelman:&nbsp;Our main focus is serving more families and individuals who need help staying in their homes longer. For growth, we’re looking to build partnerships that allow us to reach more people — whether that’s individuals being discharged from rehab facilities or those receiving limited home health and nursing care. Our goal is to fill those gaps by working with other companies to support clients in the best way possible, ensuring they can live safely at home for as long as possible.1851:&nbsp;Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?Diekelman:&nbsp;My biggest "why" is what I mentioned earlier. Seeing firsthand how my grandmother and family handled being primary caregivers. That experience drives me to help other families in similar situations, especially those who may not have family nearby. Every day, I focus on serving those individuals while also creating a supportive environment for caregivers, ensuring our office is a great place to work.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Diekelman:&nbsp;Talk to as many people as possible, both from the corporate side and other franchise owners. It’s important to ensure your personality and goals align with the franchise and the experiences of those already in the system. Having these conversations will help you determine if the franchise is the right fit for how you want to run your business.ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 700 franchise locations in the U.S. and five other countries.If you're interested in taking the next step in making a difference in your community as a Right at Home franchisee, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://rightathomefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=at-just-29-george-diekelman-transforms-personal-experience-into-a-mission-with-right-at-home-2729014" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://rightathomefranchise.com</a> or to read more about franchise ownership, visit our blog at:&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=at-just-29-george-diekelman-transforms-personal-experience-into-a-mission-with-right-at-home-2729014" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/</a>.

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of George Diekelman and Right at Home logo

George Diekelman Brings Passion and Purpose to Right at Home in Germantown 

1851 Franchise

After watching his family struggle with caregiving for his grandmother, Diekelman traded software sales for senior care, stepping into business ownership with a purpose.

At Just 29, George Diekelman Transforms Personal Experience Into a Mission with Right at Home

at-just-29-george-diekelman-transforms-personal-experience-into-a-mission-with-right-at-home

Lawn Doctor

Happinest-Lawn-Doctor-Franchisee-Ralph-Valle-Profile-Jacksonville-FL-June-2025

From Near-Quit to 7 Figures: Success With Lawn Doctor in Jacksonville, Florida

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-jacksonville

Atomic Wings

Atomic Wings Debuts in Metro East With Fairview Heights Grand Opening

atomic-wings-debuts-in-metro-east-with-fairview-heights-grand-opening

Pet Wants

Pet Wants Shares Expert Tips on Cleaning Pet Gear Safely in the Dishwasher

pet-wants-shares-expert-tips-on-cleaning-pet-gear-safely-in-the-dishwasher

Griswold

Griswold in Andover, Minnesota, Connects Students and Seniors Through Pen Pal Program

griswold-in-andover-minnesota-connects-students-and-seniors-through-pen-pal-program

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisee Max Moarefdoust

Corporate Employee Turned Owner Illustrates the Power of the HomeTeam Model

max-moarefdoust-hometeam-success

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Raj Pingili and Paris Baguette logo

How a Family Vacation Inspired Raj Pingili to Bring Paris Baguette to Towson, Maryland

how-a-family-vacation-inspired-raj-pingili-to-bring-paris-baguette-to-towson-maryland

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Juan & Whitney Fernandez & family, BIGGBY COFFEE logo

From Chiropractic to Coffee: These BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchisees Are Brewing Something New in Troy, Ohio 

biggby-coffee-franchise-coming-to-troy-ohio

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

At Just 29, George Diekelman Transforms Personal Experience Into a Mission with Right at Home

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS