When Butch Irwin thinks back to his childhood, one memory stands out.

“My grandpa came home from World War II with a Harley and one leg,” he said. “When I’d visit, he’d say, ‘Butch, go grab my leg.’ I’d run down the hall to get his wooden leg, and even as a kid, I remember thinking how hard it must be to rely on others for everything. That moment planted a seed.”

That seed would grow into a lifelong commitment to caring for others. After decades working as a respiratory therapist and raising six kids with his wife Dawn, a registered nurse, Butch saw firsthand what families really needed: someone to help with the little things that make a house feel like home — laundry, meals, companionship — and someone they could trust to treat their loved ones like family.

Over dinner, the Irwins often talked about their day — visiting homes, helping patients, navigating tough situations. Those conversations left a lasting impression on their daughter Niki. So when Butch decided to start a new chapter and open a Comfort Keepers® franchise, Niki didn’t hesitate.

“He asked if I’d be willing to leave northern Ohio and help him start the business in southern Michigan,” Niki said. “And I said, ‘Absolutely.’ It felt like a calling.”

Niki had already been working in a caregiving role, helping a quadriplegic business owner with both personal and professional support.

“I loved it,” she said. “Helping him live a full life made me realize how much I cared about people’s well-being — not just their medical needs, but their daily life, their dignity, their joy.”

Together, father and daughter launched Comfort Keepers in a place where they didn’t know a single soul. With hope in their hearts and no safety net, they poured themselves into the mission of bringing comfort, connection and care to seniors — starting with one client, one caregiver, one family at a time.

Over the years, their family business truly became a family business. Dawn joined the team as a nurse, and Niki’s sister Jamie is now stepping into a new marketing role. “We’re not just running a company — we’re living our values,” Niki said.

Their differences make them stronger.

“We definitely don’t always agree,” Niki said. “But that’s part of the magic. My dad brings decades of clinical wisdom, and I bring strategy and innovation. We push each other, we learn from each other and we trust each other.”

Before going all digital, Butch would often voice his hesitation with a mix of humor and concern, asking Niki, “But what if your cloud falls out of the sky?!” Without missing a beat, she’d reply, “What if your building burns down?” It became a running joke between them, but also a great example of how their dynamic works — balancing caution with innovation, and always finding a way to communicate, challenge each other and ultimately come to the best decision together.

Together, they’ve built a team that feels more like an extended family — people who lead with heart, serve with integrity and treat every client like their own loved one.

“We hire people who believe in what we’re doing,” Niki said. “We can teach skills. But you can’t teach heart.”

Their story is not without struggle. Like many family-run businesses, the lines between work and home were often blurred.

“In the early days, it felt like we were working 24/7,” Niki said. “Eventually, we sat down and said, ‘We have to create space for family time. We’re still learning, but we’re getting better.’”

And now, life has come full circle. After years of growing their Comfort Keepers offices in Southern Michigan, the Irwins have expanded into Northwest Ohio — back in the community where their family’s story first began.

“Being able to serve people in the place I call home — it means the world,” Niki said.

“People know us now,” Butch added. “They recognize us as the Comfort Keepers family. We’re not just in the business of care — we’re in the business of people.”

So what does it mean, to build something like this together?

“It means everything,” Butch said. “Working side-by-side with my daughter, seeing her take this dream and run with it—there’s no greater pride.”

“I feel incredibly lucky,” Niki said. “We’ve built something rooted in love, in purpose, and in family. That’s a legacy I’m proud to be part of.”

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/comfort-keepers.