Caring Colorado Trio Celebrates 10 Years of Impact with Seniors Helping Seniors

Business partners Tina Saldanha, Monica Londono and Sandra Acevedo united for a common purpose: their unwavering commitment to giving back to the community, particularly to senior citizens.

Their journey with Seniors Helping Seniors began with a chance encounter that led Londono and Acevedo to see the potential for making an impact. In August 2013, they took the leap and partnered with the brand, officially signing up to serve the community of Weld County, Colorado. By April 2014, they were open for business, extending their compassionate services to the senior residents in the area. As their success and dedication grew, they welcomed Saldanha into their partnership, and together, they expanded their reach to Larimer County.

Now approaching the 10-year milestone since their initial signing, the trio remains grounded in their mission. However, according to Saldanha, the partners are not focused on holding a celebration. To them, every single day in business is a cause for celebration.

“Every day that we impact somebody’s life, every day we make a difference, that is a celebration,” said Saldanha. “We want to celebrate joyful moments every day.”

1851 Franchise recently spoke to the trio more about their journey, what keeps them inspired, and how their dedication continues to drive their passion and purpose after nearly a decade. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Acevedo: Before venturing into franchising, my background was in psychology. I drew inspiration from my father, who dedicated his life to working with seniors until he passed away. When I came across an advertisement for Seniors Helping Seniors, it instantly resonated with me. Taking it as a sign, I reached out and had a conversation with the company’s founder. The more I learned, the more I liked what I heard. Excited about the opportunity, I shared my thoughts with my personal friend Monica, and she expressed interest in joining me. It was our shared passion for helping seniors that brought us together and led us to open a franchise together.

Londono: I previously worked in the health care system in Colorado. I also come from an entrepreneurial family. My mother ran her own restaurant, and my grandmother managed her own store. Growing up, it always seemed like my family was fighting for individuals who lacked representation in our community. I always aspired to follow the footsteps of the women I grew up admiring.

Saldanha: My journey was heavily influenced by my father’s battle with dementia. Witnessing the lack of resources and support during my upbringing, I became determined to make a positive change in this area. With a background in business administration, I always sought to find an opportunity that could align with both my educational expertise and my heartfelt passion for making a difference in the lives of seniors. So when the opportunity arose to merge and co-own Larimer and Weld, I knew I had found the perfect intersection of my interests and skills.

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?

Saldanha: I had some understanding of franchising through my sister’s experience with a franchise. However, my perception wasn’t entirely positive, as I witnessed some negative aspects during her journey. Over the course of the past 10 years, my perspective has evolved, and being a part of Seniors Helping Seniors has shown me the true potential of franchising.

Londono: I had similar feelings to Tina. From my understanding early on, it seemed like the franchising space had a fair share of issues. But as we delved deeper into the Seniors Helping Seniors franchise model, its uniqueness really stood out. Despite my initial mixed feelings, the model’s appeal won me over and I found myself falling in love with our brand.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Londono: What drew us to Seniors Helping Seniors was its unique mission. The moment we discovered the brand’s approach to providing care and assistance by pairing seniors to help one another, we knew it was the perfect fit for us.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Saldanha: Our goals revolve around two key aspects: growth and making a positive difference in the lives of our clients. From a profitability standpoint, we aim to expand and continue to establish ourselves as a reputable and successful franchise in the region. But our ultimate focus goes beyond financial gains. We aspire to have a meaningful impact on the seniors we serve. We want to enhance their lives, provide them with exceptional care, and foster a sense of community and companionship that brightens their days.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Londono: The essence of our story lies in the win-win situation that Seniors Helping Seniors offers. It’s a unique opportunity that allows us to not only provide care and support to seniors but also to receive the joy and fulfillment that comes from making a positive impact.

Saldanha: Our mission to promote quality of life by supporting each person with dignity , respect, empathy and kindness, is really what guides us. We are driven by our passion for what we do, and our success has not been accidental. It’s the result of the love we have for our work and the genuine care we provide to our clients.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Saldanha: Prioritize finding a career that aligns with your passion. Success in franchising, or any endeavor, demands hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifices. It’s important to have a genuine love for what you do, as this will be the driving force behind your dedication and determination to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS®

Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked to advance humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa. After moving to the U.S. in 1995 and marrying her husband Philip, the Yocoms felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors® services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding homecare provider in the U.S. Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise system stands apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors® caregivers and clients are aligned based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors® network has grown to nearly 200 locations in 30-plus states and seven international locations, with 125 franchise partners. The cost to open a Seniors Helping Seniors franchise ranges from $82,240 to $144,390. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com.