From Bank Executive to Home Care Franchise Owner

Nearly 10 years ago, Jeffrey Tews was a senior vice president at a major bank, overseeing 400 employees in offices across the U.S. Today, Tews and his wife, Susan Rather, work from their own corporate office in Madison, Wisconsin, from which they oversee the more than 500 caregivers and 27 full-time staff that work in their four BrightStar Care home care franchise territories across seven counties in Wisconsin.

Tews says his corporate career ultimately helped drive his franchise growth.

“The original BrightStar model called for hands-on owners, but I had managed corporate offices remotely and realized I could adapt those skills to franchising,” Tews said. Tews gives his branch managers the ability to act like owners by setting their own rates for in-home care and other services, billing customers and hiring and employees—among other things.

Last year, Tews was named by the International Franchise Association as one of the 10 leading franchise professionals by being elected to the IFA’s Board of Directors. In that role, Tews brings extensive franchise ownership experience and a great deal of knowledge and passion. 

During the IFA’s 2017 Convention, No Limit Agency*’s CEO Nick Powills caught up with Tews to learn more about his experience with BrightStar Care, his lessons learned as a multi-unit franchisee and to hear his thoughts on the importance of the franchise industry.