Driven by a Heart for Service, One South Carolina Entrepreneur Turns to Griswold After 30 Years in HR

Based in Sumter, South Carolina, Jason DuBose has built his career on a simple philosophy: people’s stories matter. Having navigated the complexities of caring for his own parents and now supporting his mother-in-law, DuBose is turning his dedication to service into a business with Griswold to provide reliable in-home care to families in South Carolina.

Today, after officially opening his doors in March 2026, DuBose serves six counties, including Sumter and Kershaw. His mission is fueled by the faces he saw while responding to welfare checks as a volunteer firefighter — people who just needed a helping hand to stay safe at home. By combining his HR expertise with a genuine love for people, DuBose is proving that the best business owners aren’t just managers; they are our neighbors who care.

DuBose sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss his whirlwind transition from the beauty industry to home care and why he’s ready to “pound the pavement” for the people of South Carolina. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Jason DuBose: I’m a proud Texan by birth, but South Carolina has been home since my youth. My father was in the Air Force, which is how we came to Sumter. This is where I met my wife, Tracy. I was actually her first kiss in middle school! We’ve been together for nearly 30 years and married for over 20, and our 18-year-old son, Mason, graduates from high school this year.

Family is the center of my universe. Between Tracy and me, we have one surviving parent, her mother, Pailyn. She goes by Lyn and is just about the sweetest, toughest little old lady I’ve ever met. She’s survived multiple bouts of cancer and still manages a koi pond and four big rescue dogs. Being her support team is an example of exactly what Griswold is about.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

DuBose: I spent almost 30 years in human resources across a wild range of industries, everything from timber processing and meatpacking to my last role in the "clean and conscious" beauty space.

I'd always thought about maybe starting a business of my own, but the moment actually kind of came through volunteering. I went through rookie school to become a volunteer firefighter at age 50. While out on calls, I kept seeing seniors struggling with falls, welfare checks and other situations where they simply needed help. I looked at various service brands, but home care was the only thing that touched me personally.

1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

DuBose: I don’t think a lot of people realize that two out of three businesses they pass on the road are actually franchises. I knew I wanted to build something, but I didn’t necessarily have a unique idea in mind. Franchising offered a proven system I could get behind.

Now that I’m in it, I realize how much the new owner perspective matters. During my research, I specifically asked to talk to people who had been in business for less than six months. Hearing about their current pain points, the startup challenges, was much more relevant to me than talking to someone ten years in. It prepared me for the reality of the daily grind.

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

DuBose:  It started with a social media outreach from Griswold. The team was infectious. They didn't just talk about numbers. They related everything back to me as a person and my family.

What excites me is my cohort of fellow new owners. We have an open chat running constantly, where we celebrate a win or share advice on everything from hiring to growing the business. Having this tether to a group of people going through the exact same whirlwind is a godsend.

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

DuBose: I hope that we can do a lot of good first and foremost. If we're doing it right, and this is one of the big takeaways I took from the training with Griswold, we're not recreating the wheel. People have been providing care to their loved ones and others for thousands of years. I just want to do the small things incrementally better than everyone else. 

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

DuBose: Starting this business has been a whirlwind. I’m a high-energy person, and I’ve realized that while I’m blessed to be on this journey, I have to stay grateful and grounded. I want people to know that I’m not just running a business, I’m one of their neighbors. 

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

DuBose: You have to believe in something to be able to promote it, otherwise it shows all over your face. Also, do your research on the logistics. I wish I’d had a deeper understanding of the ROBS funding process before I started. Most importantly, find a brand that fits you. When things get tough, that personal connection to the work is what keeps you moving forward.

ABOUT GRISWOLD:

With over 200 locations across 30 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing and referring professional, compassionate Caregivers around the clock. 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. Griswold has been recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit www.GriswoldCare.com or call 215.402.0200.