Franchisee Spotlight: Jim Sullivan of IKOR

Jim Sullivan spent 30 years working in the private equity industry but recently decided it was time to go into business into something he could call his own. His experience helping his mother and his aunts receive the care they need and the comfort they deserve as they grow older became of importance to him. When he discovered IKOR, he felt he’d found a business that Americans need. Something to help alleviate the stress senior care can bring about.

Sullivan opened his IKOR site in White Plains, New York, this past March and has only increased the reach of his territory since.

Can you tell me a little bit about your background?

I was born and raised in Bronxville and Yonkers where my father lived his whole life. I just recently moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, where my second territory covers.

I spent most the majority of my career in Vermont, where I went to college. I worked for nearly 25 years in the private equity industry where I specialized in building and adding value for companies in a variety of fields. I spent some time, about five years, doing some consulting work, too. I was the COO of Westchester County’s leading residential real estate company, Houlihan Lawrence, from 1990 to 1994 when the corporate offices were in Bronxville. The company is headquartered in Rye Brook today and has offices across the country today, however.

So after 30 years in the corporate sector, I decided it was time to start looking for localized business opportunities where I could travel less and settle down.

How did you find IKOR?

In my search of local opportunities, I worked with a franchise consultant and that’s when I was first introduced to IKOR. The concept really resonated with me.

My father passed away three decades ago and my mom, who’s currently 89-years old, is still living in the same home where I grew up. My mom is very independent, but she needed help managing here health care and really needed a support network. I also have two aging aunts who required the same kind of support. We’re lucky to have my sister who’s spent the past nine months devoting her time to learning the health care system to find the proper places to relocate my aunts to.

What is it about IKOR that made you want to join?

The concept is unique it’s precisely the kind of business that’s needed in the United States. It amazes me how many families have to repeat the complicated learning curve of the medical field in order to get the best possible care for their loved ones. IKOR is an option that cuts out that curve and allows families to have this go-to resource at their fingertips.

Where are you currently operating?

Since mid-March, my Westchester territory has been open, based out of White Plains, New York. I‘ve acquired most of Westchester County and southern Fairfield County. I’m focusing on my current territories now, but I’d like to expand farther down the line. I’ll also be operating out of a home office in Stamford, Connecticut, at the start of June.

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