From Corporate Finance to Community Care: Seniors Helping Seniors Franchisee Plans to Make A Difference

Bryan Shrouds worked in corporate finance for 25 years. Although he found a lot of success in his career in corporate America, he never truly found fulfillment in this sector. 

After being laid off last year, Shrouds realized he had the opportunity to take the leap of faith into business ownership he had been considering for years. Selecting an industry and brand was difficult at first, but Shrouds did some soul-searching and realized what was truly important to him in life: helping others and making a difference.

“One thing I knew I needed out of my new career was the chance to have an impact on people,” he said. “My wife is a physical therapist, and she has come home and talked about how she got a person walking again after a traumatic injury. I wanted to feel that sense of fulfillment.”

Shrouds found the opportunity to make a difference as a business owner with Seniors Helping Seniors in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. When he learned about Seniors Helping Seniors’ mission that allows seniors to remain in their homes as long as possible with care provided by their more active peers, Shrouds was hooked. Now, he looks forward to facilitating meaningful connections among seniors in his community and providing them with the care they need.

1851 Franchise spoke with Shrouds about his journey into franchising and his plans for the future.

FEATURE QUESTIONS

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

Shrouds: I was in corporate finance for 25 years, primarily in the credit card space. I moved up through the ranks fairly quickly and did well with various large organizations. As I progressed, I was always looking for something that's more exciting. I went to Sallie Mae when it was going to start a new product. After a while, it felt normal and standard. Then I went to a startup which turned into Mercury Financial. We went from starting with a tiny loan product, to being a top 20 card issuer in eight years. However, it got to the point where it felt corporate and mundane again for me. I always had been thinking about trying to start something on my own, but I never had the guts.

Last year, with some of the economic turmoil starting up, I got laid off. I decided to pursue new avenues. I had a franchise coach reach out to me and we explored a couple of franchises. I put together a matrix of what's important to me in my life right now. I was 46 at the time and decided I need to figure out what I'm going to be when I grow up, even if that decision was a little past due.

One thing I knew I needed out of my new career was the chance to have an impact on people. I've been coaching my kids in various sports and, most recently, I've been a head hockey coach for the Delaware Ducks. I really find a lot of enjoyment out of working with the kids and helping them make progress. That was an eye-opener for me. 

My wife is a physical therapist, and she had come home and talked about how she got a person walking again after a traumatic injury. I wanted to feel that sense of fulfillment. When I came across Seniors Helping Seniors, it seemed like a great opportunity to make an impact.

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?

Shrouds:  I thought franchising was probably a lot easier than having to start on your own because the infrastructure and everything else that is in place for you. A lot of people don’t like the idea of having to pay the franchise fee, but I think that the small percentage that they ask of you is worth it. I have a coach that's walking me through things, and if I have questions, I have somebody to lean on. The brand has a marketing team, preferred vendors and everything in place. All of that can expedite the process. 

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

Shrouds: This brand is mission driven; their mission is to keep seniors in their homes longer. I've experienced this with my own family. I have my grandmother who ended up in assisted living after she broke her hip. She just wasn't the same in the facility as she was at home. I know it's tough at the end of life, and I think being comfortable in your home is a great benefit to seniors. 

I'm helping on two fronts. I'm also bringing jobs to people that can have flexible schedules and they can connect with peers and build actual relationships. The business model totally makes sense. Why has nobody ever done this before? I think this mission and the actual impact it has on people is what really drew me to the brand.

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

Shrouds: I would like to be a household name in the Delaware County area. I want to grow to be able to touch the lives of hundreds of people. I hope to expand into Delaware later on, as well.

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

Shrouds: Corporate America is a safe environment for the most part. I've worked with people that really enjoy it, and I've worked with people that do it simply because it's a job. 

I was scared of taking a risk. If you’re going to take anything away from my story, it should be that it’s possible. There are ways to get it done. If you want something more fulfilling out of life, I think that this is the way to go.

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

Shrouds: People always say to do what you love, but at one point in time, I didn’t know what I loved. I like a lot of different things, so I wanted variety. I never thought I could pursue a business and when I sat there with the franchise coach, and we walked through what things are the most important to me, I was able to break down the ingredients of what I wanted.

Things have been crazy for the past few months as I’ve transitioned to business ownership, but it all feels rewarding. It feels good. 

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 seniorshelpingseniors.com.