Award-Winning Allstate Agency Owners to Bring Compassionate Care to Cupertino, California, with New Griswold Franchise

After long and successful careers in insurance, Alice Chan and Wilfred Mabanta have brought their expertise and compassionate spirit to the home care industry. Inspired by personal experiences with family caregiving, they launched their Griswold franchise in November, with plans to become trusted providers in the Cupertino community. Together, they aim to bring comfort and peace of mind to clients and their families.

1851 spoke with the duo to learn more about their journey, their path to Griswold and their plans for the future. 

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

Alice Chan: I have been an Allstate agency owner since the 80s. I was there for almost 36 years and sold it in June 2023. I was very fortunate to have successful team members who helped make the agency award-winning, allowing us to serve the community well with insurance needs. After retiring, I realized I still had the energy and passion to serve the community. Because of our experience finding quality caregivers for our parents, we saw the importance of helping people who want to age in place or people with disabilities, allowing them to stay at home comfortably and with dignity.

Wilfred Mabanta: Alice retired from Allstate last year, but she has so much energy and compassion to serve the community. After 20+ years as a business owner in insurance, I have developed a passion to serve customers and community by providing protection and knowledge. With attention to detail and caring support for customers’ insurance needs and through hard work, my experience reflects my reliability with strong communication skills. I am highly organized, proactive and punctual with a team-oriented focus.

Over the past five years, I have gained valuable experience as a home health care provider for elderly patients, including my mother, who suffered from vascular dementia, arthritis, kidney failure, near blindness, malnutrition and chronic constipation. I provided compassionate care by monitoring daily routines, managing medications, ensuring proper exercise and nutrition, listening attentively and tracking vital signs daily. I also coordinated with hospice services and caregivers, remaining committed to improving my mother’s overall quality of life.

I plan to bring the same entrepreneurial skills and compassion I’ve demonstrated in insurance to owning a franchise that provides care for elderly and disabled individuals with dignity and integrity.

When my mother passed, it was with compassion and dignity.

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?

Chan: When I started with Allstate, I was a company employee who eventually became an owner. It wasn’t quite a franchise, but they gave us a formula for success and infrastructure to help me succeed as an exclusive agent. The home care industry is new to us. We know about sales and marketing, but this is all new, so we need guidance. We wanted a company with the history, experience and infrastructure to help us succeed.

Mabanta: I founded my own insurance brokerage, so I have experience formulating a business plan, establishing an infrastructure with latest technology, obtaining insurance carrier appointments, strategizing a marketing plan, designing a website/SEO in order for clients to navigate online, negotiating office space and hiring experienced license staff. I have a lot of entrepreneurial experience, and Griswold’s franchise business model and infrastructure felt very solid — the support system, the training, the FDD [Franchise Disclosure Document], everything. We felt very strong about our decision to go with Griswold.

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

Chan: We talked to a number of franchises, but Griswold’s history — they’ve been in business since 1982 — and their training program stood out. Plus, they had the territory that mattered most to us. When we talked with other Griswold owners, they were generous with their time and information. Their support amazed me; it felt like we were all part of a family. They’re part of our team, and that solidified our commitment to Griswold.

Mabanta: When selecting a franchisor, we considered several key variables. It was important for us to align our objectives with the franchisor and Griswold exceeded our expectations by handling our requests promptly and professionally at all levels. Additionally, Griswold offered a territory within our community, which was a significant factor for us. 

With experience dating back to 1982, a proven track record of success and a strong reputation, Griswold stood out as a reliable choice. The support they provided was phenomenal. To ensure a thorough evaluation, we hired legal counsel and a CPA to review the FDD and Franchise Agreement. We also spoke with existing franchisees to gain insight into their experiences, challenges and overall satisfaction with the franchisor. As a result, Griswold emerged as our top choice. Based on our research, the demand for at-home care is poised for a bright and rewarding future, making this opportunity even more compelling.

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

Chan: Our first goal is to learn the business and set up the proper infrastructure. After that, we want to grow successfully. This isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. So to do well, the foundation is very important.

Mabanta: We shadowed another successful Griswold franchisee and I learned so much. We want to make sure we set up the right structure in order for us to thrive. Once we find our methodology to be successful, we will hire directors, etc.

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

Chan: I want to recognize my previous team that helped make the Allstate agency successful. We were awarded Best in the Company in 2008, and I was the first Asian female agent to be inducted into the Allstate Hall of Fame. Hopefully, we’ll be just as successful with our new team at Griswold and serve the community well. That’s what matters most — to provide comfort and peace of mind to the people we serve. When we work with compassion, care and dedication, the rest will follow.

Mabanta: In California, we are very inclusive. When we say community, we mean all-encompassing. We include everyone and respect their cultural preferences. That’s essential here.

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

Chan: Take the time to do the research and don’t be afraid to talk to other franchise owners. Know the questions you want to ask. Asking the right questions is important. Take the time and research the company online, and don’t just jump into it — you need to understand why you’re getting into the industry. You need that passion and commitment to succeed.

Mabanta: In finding the right franchisor, it’s important to conduct self assessment in identifying strengths and goals, market research, franchise expenses, training and support, hire experts (CPA and legal counsel) to review Franchise Agreement, FDD, etc. It is similar to applying to college — you can’t just go with your gut feeling; you need a scientific, empirical view of things. Once you feel satisfied with your research, you’ll feel supported.

For more information about franchising with Griswold, please visit: https://1851franchise.com/griswold.

ABOUT GRISWOLD

With 170 locations in 31 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing professional, compassionate caregivers 24/7. 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. For more information, visit griswoldcare.com or call 215-402-0200.