Entrepreneur Partners with Hospice Caregiver to Open Griswold in South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana

When Mike Stutz’s in-laws faced health challenges and a series of unsuccessful transitions between assisted living facilities, he realized there had to be a better way to support seniors. This personal experience, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, led him to partner with Lisa Phelps — an experienced hospice volunteer — to bring Griswold, a non-medical home care franchise, to South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana. They aim to make a meaningful difference in the senior care landscape, providing families with compassionate and reliable in-home care options that allow loved ones to live with dignity.

1851 spoke with Stutz to learn more about his story, his journey to Griswold with Phelps, and their plans for the future. 

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

Mike Stutz: Three years ago, my in-laws called from Florida. My father-in-law had a stroke and my mother-in-law was showing signs of dementia. They couldn’t manage on their own and we didn’t know businesses like Griswold existed. They went through three different assisted living facilities and gave up on life. Three years later, they’re both gone and I knew there had to be a better way. I’ve always been an entrepreneur, and this experience pushed me to find something that could help others avoid what we went through.

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?

Stutz: I was interested in franchising because I wanted to scale the business quickly, but I didn’t have much of a perception of it going in. People say franchises are expensive, but there are affordable options with great support. The fees I pay are much less than what it would cost to hire an entire team on my own.

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

Stutz: I looked at several franchises in the senior care space, but Griswold stood out. The company was started by a woman 40 years ago who became a pioneer in this industry, and they’ve carried that tradition forward. The management team is second to none, and that makes a huge difference. Your success is only as good as the support you have behind you.

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

Stutz: Our goal is to grow and scale the office as quickly as possible. With the resources Griswold provides, we plan to spread the word and grow fast, reaching as many people as we can in our community.

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

Stutz: My partner, Lisa Phelps, was a volunteer in hospice care for my father-in-law. He absolutely loved her and we hadn’t seen her in 40 years since high school. It turned out she had over 40 years of experience in this field, and she was such a caring, wonderful person. It just made sense to bring her on board for this venture.

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

Stutz: Don’t rule out any brand, and do your research. I could have started this on my own, but it would have taken much longer and cost more. With the right franchise partner, you get a head start, and I’ve found that to be true with Griswold.

For more information on franchising with Griswold, please visit: https://1851franchise.com/griswold.

ABOUT GRISWOLD

With 170 locations in 31 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing professional, compassionate caregivers 24/7. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness or post-surgery recovery through services, including companion care, home services, personal care and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. For more information, visit griswoldcare.com or call 215-402-0200.