1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollie-gaggin-5b99b4b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-cola-to-care-seniors-helping-seniors-franchisees-celebrate-career-encore-2725700" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mollie</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/briangaggin/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-cola-to-care-seniors-helping-seniors-franchisees-celebrate-career-encore-2725700" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brian Gaggin</a> have both had successful careers — Mollie in life insurance, event planning and interior design, and Brian as an executive for soft drink giants — but now they feel it’s time to give back.Through their personal experiences with their own aging parents, the couple has developed a passion for senior care. Mollie's father had dementia, while Brian's mother had both dementia and Alzheimer’s. The two witnessed loved ones receiving a variety of care, both in facilities and at home, and it became clear to them that the combination of companionship and in-home care made a big positive impact.“We’ve had family members who were able to stay in their homes for as long as possible because they had care and people coming in to spend time with them,” said Brian. “It might have been neighbors or family, and they may have been providing meals, helping with cleaning or just providing companionship, but it allowed them to stay in their homes and made a big difference.”Now, the Gaggins hope to provide this opportunity to as many seniors as possible in their West Michigan community as franchisees with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/seniorshelpingseniors">Seniors Helping Seniors.</a>1851 Franchise spoke with the Gaggins about their journey into franchising and their plans for the future.FEATURE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Mollie:&nbsp;Prior to franchising, I was in life insurance for 18 years. Then I did home organization, home decorating, interior design and event planning.&nbsp;Brian:&nbsp;My career was in consumer products, soft drinks in particular. I worked for Coca-Cola for about 25 years and then I finished my career with the National Beverage Company, which owns Lacroix and some other soft drink brands such as Faygo and Shasta. I was a general manager — I ran bottling plants across different parts of the country. With Coca-Cola, we moved 12 times in 24 years, but we have spent the last 20 years in Michigan. I ended my career as an executive vice president and general manager of a business unit.We've had a home in West Michigan for more than 40 years. It's a summer home. We're very familiar with West Michigan and the territory we have with&nbsp;<a href="https://seniorshelpingseniorsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-cola-to-care-seniors-helping-seniors-franchisees-celebrate-career-encore-2725700" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Seniors Helping Seniors.</a>&nbsp;Mollie:&nbsp;Our plan to go into franchising was mission- and purpose-driven. We have had two very successful careers and decided it was time to give back. We both have experienced working with aging parents. My father had dementia and his mother had dementia and Alzheimer’s. We went looking for something that allowed us to work with seniors.Brian:&nbsp;We've seen the need and had a strong desire to work with seniors for quite a while. We have a lot of experience with that and just thought that the Seniors Helping Seniors provided the best model because they put caring first and that’s really in sync with our values.&nbsp;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?Mollie:&nbsp;It’s a wonderful opportunity to get into business. We’ve learned that this particular franchise is a lot different from other franchise brands as we have friends who are franchisees with other concepts. Seniors Helping Seniors’ franchise package is very complete. This is our first involvement with franchising and the brand has left me feeling incredibly impressed.&nbsp;Brian:&nbsp;They have a complete infrastructure. It manages both the caregiver side and the client side; it helps you get up to speed very quickly. It’s very comprehensive.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Mollie:&nbsp;We intend to provide the highest care possible for seniors looking to stay in their homes, and we are also excited to provide more active seniors the opportunity to become more involved and build meaningful relationships with their less active counterparts.Brian:&nbsp;We’re hoping to provide a resource for as many seniors as possible. We want to give them the opportunity to stay in their homes. We would like to expand the reach of our footprint as time goes on to improve the lives for as many seniors as we can.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Mollie:&nbsp;Brian’s mother was in a long-term care facility for 12 years. The ratio of long-term care residents to staff was roughly one to 15. It’s hard to see a parent sitting alone in a bedroom for so many hours of the day and only being brought into a community space a couple of times a day. Seniors need more stimulation and more one-on-one care.Brian:&nbsp;We’ve had family members who were able to stay in their homes for as long as possible.&nbsp;Those experiences moved us and had an impact on our thinking. If there were more people who could experience the ability to stay home and be comfortable, it would be a good thing.&nbsp;&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Brian:&nbsp;Have a definite mission or the purpose of the franchisor? How does that convey to the franchisee? Align yourself with the philosophical approach of the franchisor, and if you do that, it's hard not to be successful.&nbsp;ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS:Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise system 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 Kiran moved to the U.S. in 1995 and married 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® in-home 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® locations stand apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors® service aligns caregivers and care recipients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors® network has grown to 200-plus locations, 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit<a href="http://seniorshelpingseniors.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=from-cola-to-care-seniors-helping-seniors-franchisees-celebrate-career-encore-2725700" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;seniorshelpingseniors.co</a>m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Seniors Helping Seniors Franchisees Bring Care to West MI

1851 Franchise

The Gaggins have long had a passion for serving seniors. After caring for their own aging parents, they looked for — and found — a franchise with aligned values.

From Coca-Cola to Care: Seniors Helping Seniors Franchisees Celebrate Career Encore

from-cola-to-care-seniors-helping-seniors-franchisees-celebrate-career-encore

Paris Baguette Canada

Photo of exterior of a Paris Baguette location

How Much Can I Make as a Paris Baguette Franchisee?

paris-baguette-franchise-disclosure-document-analysis

Busy Bee Jumpers

Busy Bee Jumpers: Where Proven Success Meets People-First Franchising

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-culture-success

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-positioning-image

Bouncing Into Business: How Busy Bee Jumpers Is Building the First National Bounce House Franchise

franchise-opportunity-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of exterior of Layne's Chicken Fingers restaurant

Layne’s Franchisees Capitalize on First-To-Market Advantage in Chicken Finger Frenzy

laynes-franchise-first-mover-advantage

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Brianna and Matt Fitchett, Seniors Helping Seniors logo

Nonprofit Leaders to Bring Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise to East Bay, California

nonprofit-leaders-to-bring-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-to-east-bay-california

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Abid Khan and Paris Baguette logo

Longtime Tim Horton’s Franchisee Signs 4-Unit Agreement with Paris Baguette in Toronto

longtime-tim-hortons-franchisee-signs-4-unit-agreement-with-paris-baguette-in-toronto

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Melissa & Matt Johnson and Pigtails & Crewcuts logo

Building a Family-Friendly Business: How Melissa and Matt Johnson Grew Pigtails & Crewcuts in San Antonio

how-melissa-and-matt-johnson-grew-pigtails-crewcuts-in-san-antonio

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Steve & Mia Kim & Paris Baguette logo

After Falling in Love with Paris Baguette, This North Carolina Couple Decided To Open One of Their Own

paris-baguette-franchise-charlotte-nc

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

Affordable Franchise Opportunities: Exploring Low-Cost Home Service Franchises Under $50K

affordable-franchise-opportunities-exploring-low-cost-home-service-franchises-under-50k

From Coca-Cola to Care: Seniors Helping Seniors Franchisees Celebrate Career Encore

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS