In celebration of Women’s History Month, Griswold is proud to shine a light on several extraordinary women franchisees who have not only built successful businesses but are also leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those they serve. These women’s journeys to Griswold and franchise ownership are as diverse as their backgrounds, but they all share a common purpose, inspired by that of founder Dr. Jean Griswold — to provide compassionate, non-medical home care that helps seniors and disabled adults live independently at home.
When Maryanne Murray first joined the Griswold family over 20 years ago under the leadership of Dr. Jean Griswold herself, she brought along a desire to have a greater impact on people’s lives. With a master’s degree in public health, she had spent years working as a middle manager in hospitals, feeling like she wasn’t making the difference she desired. Inspired by Jean’s commitment to leading with love, Murray found her new calling in helping seniors age safely and comfortably in their own homes.
“I got tired of being in that middle layer,” Murray said. “I wanted to do something that had more impact on people’s lives.” When she saw Griswold listed in the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the fastest-growing companies, she saw an opportunity to step into a business that not only had a deep impact but also allowed her to be her own boss.
In 1999, Murray purchased the Wilmington Griswold office in Delaware. “Once I started, I realized it was going to be very important in my life,” she said. “I loved listening to people’s stories and helping them stay in their homes for as long as possible.”
Over the years, Murray became a staple of the Griswold family, expanding her enterprise to include the ownership of two offices in Delaware and receiving recognition as "Franchise of the Year" from the IFA (International Franchise Association) and the SBA (Small Business Association).
Although Murray retired from franchise ownership a few years ago, Griswold has remained a central part of her life. Not only is Murray currently the chair of the Jean Griswold Foundation — the brand’s non-profit organization dedicated to lifting up those who help others — but she also helped pass down Griswold ownership to the next generation by partnering with her daughter, Erin Pickrell, in the purchase of the Bethesda/Chevy Chase territory.
“I am so proud of her,” Murray said. “She loves how grateful and supportive people are. I’ve been doing this for more than 25 years, and now to see my daughter doing the same — it’s just amazing.”
Pickrell says she really grew up in the Griswold business and was inspired every day by watching her mother thrive as an independent and empowered business owner.
“I have learned a lot throughout my career about the type of work environment I want to create and spend my time in,” said Pickrell. “Seeing my mom own her own business growing up really motivated me to do the same. I am so proud of her and the person that she is, and as I became an adult, I realized I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I also had met Jean Griswold when I was young, and I knew that the brand put care first in everything that it does, so I was happy to work with Griswold as a franchisee.”
When it comes to her own mentors, Murray says she learned from the best.
"I considered our founder, Jean Griswold, a mentor,” she said. “When she started in 1982, no one else was offering this kind of service. She had the vision to create a structure that truly met people’s needs, and it turned out to be an incredible service. Jean treated caregivers with respect and paid them well, all while operating on a tight margin to ensure that clients could afford the service. While there are now many imitations, when I started, Griswold was the only game in town. It was so impactful because it addressed such a critical need. Jean's mission was always to match the right caregiver with the client’s needs, and that was key to Griswold’s success.”
Murray has also made it a point to support women within the business. She sold two of her offices to other women to help them achieve financial independence. “Griswold had given that to me, and I wanted to continue that legacy,” she said.
Beth Copeland’s path to Griswold was guided by both personal experience and a deep sense of duty. With a nursing background, she had always been drawn to health care, but it was the experience of caring for her grandfather that solidified her passion for in-home care.
“My grandfather had cancer and always wanted to be at home but couldn’t be. They didn’t have services like this back then,” Copeland said. “When I heard about Jean Griswold’s mission, I thought it matched exactly what I was feeling. This was a service people needed.”
Initially working in technology and communications, Copeland never imagined that she would eventually own a Griswold franchise. But after working with Murray and learning about the operations of the business, Copeland was ready to step in when the opportunity to buy the Griswold Home Care’s Kent/Sussex County office in Delaware arose in 2019.
“Two years into working here, Maryanne wanted to sell, and I knew what I was doing, so I bought the office,” Copeland said. “Then, when COVID-19 hit, it became even more clear how important it was for people to stay in their homes. People wanted to stay home, and our services became even more essential.”
Since then, Copeland has continued to expand with Griswold, purchasing an additional office in Salisbury, MD.
Copeland’s approach to business is rooted in her belief that leadership is about supporting and empowering those around you. “I learned what not to do from a woman I worked with before,” she said. “But with Maryanne, she trusted me from the very start. She let me figure things out on my own, which was really empowering.”
Copeland strongly believes that women should have a voice in business, especially when it comes to empowering caregivers. “A lot of our caregivers have not had people believe in them before, so we try to be that supportive network for them,” she said.
Her advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs is rooted in confidence and purpose: “Believe in yourself. That can be hard, but if you have confidence, it will pay off. Having a ‘why’ is essential — it keeps you going. If you just make it about money, you don’t have anything that connects you emotionally.”
Griswold has been part of Kelly and Jessica Howard’s lives for as long as they can remember. Their mother, Cathy, and grandmother, Francis, started their Griswold office in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in 1991, starting from their basement. Growing up, Kelly and Jessica watched the business evolve and saw firsthand the difference Griswold made in their community.
“Our mom was our biggest influence,” Jessica said. “Seeing her entrepreneurship and the ability to be her own boss was hugely inspiring. From a young age, we saw the good that Griswold did for both clients and caregivers. We saw how many caregivers found stability and growth in their careers, going on to pursue their dreams and further their education.”
After completing college, Kelly worked as a caregiver, which deepened her love for the work. “I did some caregiving after college, and it really drew me in,” she said. “The relationships we build with families are what keeps us going. We’ve had families call us in tears, telling us how happy they are with the care their loved ones are receiving. That’s what makes this more than just a job.”
Kelly and Jessica also manage an office with an all-women staff. “There are 12 of us in the office with 180 years of combined Griswold experience,” Kelly said. “It’s such a fulfilling experience to work with an all-women team. We’ve seen the growth of our caregivers, many of whom have moved into office roles or pursued further education.”
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see women grow and succeed within the company,” Jessica said. “We’ve had caregivers go from the field into the office, and they’ve really thrived. The Jean Griswold Foundation has also been instrumental in offering scholarships to female caregivers. Seeing them succeed is inspiring.”
Kelly’s advice for other women looking to start their own business is to connect with others: “Join groups and network. There are so many women out there who want to start their own business, and having a network of like-minded people to turn to has been incredibly helpful for me.”
Griswold is proud to honor these inspiring women this Women’s History Month, celebrating their legacies and the ongoing impact they have on their communities, their employees and the future of the home care industry. Through their unwavering dedication and passion, they are shaping the future of Griswold and inspiring other women to take the leap into entrepreneurship, just as they did.
“The risk is really worth it when it comes to starting this franchise,” said Murray. “You are doing what you love, so it’s not just a job — it’s your baby.”
These women are living proof of the power of taking risks, believing in yourself and creating a business that serves others while empowering women to follow their own entrepreneurial dreams.
To learn more about Griswold, visit: GriswoldCare.com
For more information on franchising with Griswold, visit: https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info.
Griswold
SPONSORED
Women franchisees at Griswold have found purpose in providing compassionate in-home care for seniors and disabled adults, following in the footsteps of founder Jean Griswold.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Griswold is proud to shine a light on several extraordinary women franchisees who have not only built successful businesses but are also leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those they serve. These women’s journeys to Griswold and franchise ownership are as diverse as their backgrounds, but they all share a common purpose, inspired by that of founder Dr. Jean Griswold — to provide compassionate, non-medical home care that helps seniors and disabled adults live independently at home.
When Maryanne Murray first joined the Griswold family over 20 years ago under the leadership of Dr. Jean Griswold herself, she brought along a desire to have a greater impact on people’s lives. With a master’s degree in public health, she had spent years working as a middle manager in hospitals, feeling like she wasn’t making the difference she desired. Inspired by Jean’s commitment to leading with love, Murray found her new calling in helping seniors age safely and comfortably in their own homes.
“I got tired of being in that middle layer,” Murray said. “I wanted to do something that had more impact on people’s lives.” When she saw Griswold listed in the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of the fastest-growing companies, she saw an opportunity to step into a business that not only had a deep impact but also allowed her to be her own boss.
In 1999, Murray purchased the Wilmington Griswold office in Delaware. “Once I started, I realized it was going to be very important in my life,” she said. “I loved listening to people’s stories and helping them stay in their homes for as long as possible.”
Over the years, Murray became a staple of the Griswold family, expanding her enterprise to include the ownership of two offices in Delaware and receiving recognition as "Franchise of the Year" from the IFA (International Franchise Association) and the SBA (Small Business Association).
Although Murray retired from franchise ownership a few years ago, Griswold has remained a central part of her life. Not only is Murray currently the chair of the Jean Griswold Foundation — the brand’s non-profit organization dedicated to lifting up those who help others — but she also helped pass down Griswold ownership to the next generation by partnering with her daughter, Erin Pickrell, in the purchase of the Bethesda/Chevy Chase territory.
“I am so proud of her,” Murray said. “She loves how grateful and supportive people are. I’ve been doing this for more than 25 years, and now to see my daughter doing the same — it’s just amazing.”
Pickrell says she really grew up in the Griswold business and was inspired every day by watching her mother thrive as an independent and empowered business owner.
“I have learned a lot throughout my career about the type of work environment I want to create and spend my time in,” said Pickrell. “Seeing my mom own her own business growing up really motivated me to do the same. I am so proud of her and the person that she is, and as I became an adult, I realized I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I also had met Jean Griswold when I was young, and I knew that the brand put care first in everything that it does, so I was happy to work with Griswold as a franchisee.”
When it comes to her own mentors, Murray says she learned from the best.
"I considered our founder, Jean Griswold, a mentor,” she said. “When she started in 1982, no one else was offering this kind of service. She had the vision to create a structure that truly met people’s needs, and it turned out to be an incredible service. Jean treated caregivers with respect and paid them well, all while operating on a tight margin to ensure that clients could afford the service. While there are now many imitations, when I started, Griswold was the only game in town. It was so impactful because it addressed such a critical need. Jean's mission was always to match the right caregiver with the client’s needs, and that was key to Griswold’s success.”
Murray has also made it a point to support women within the business. She sold two of her offices to other women to help them achieve financial independence. “Griswold had given that to me, and I wanted to continue that legacy,” she said.
Beth Copeland’s path to Griswold was guided by both personal experience and a deep sense of duty. With a nursing background, she had always been drawn to health care, but it was the experience of caring for her grandfather that solidified her passion for in-home care.
“My grandfather had cancer and always wanted to be at home but couldn’t be. They didn’t have services like this back then,” Copeland said. “When I heard about Jean Griswold’s mission, I thought it matched exactly what I was feeling. This was a service people needed.”
Initially working in technology and communications, Copeland never imagined that she would eventually own a Griswold franchise. But after working with Murray and learning about the operations of the business, Copeland was ready to step in when the opportunity to buy the Griswold Home Care’s Kent/Sussex County office in Delaware arose in 2019.
“Two years into working here, Maryanne wanted to sell, and I knew what I was doing, so I bought the office,” Copeland said. “Then, when COVID-19 hit, it became even more clear how important it was for people to stay in their homes. People wanted to stay home, and our services became even more essential.”
Since then, Copeland has continued to expand with Griswold, purchasing an additional office in Salisbury, MD.
Copeland’s approach to business is rooted in her belief that leadership is about supporting and empowering those around you. “I learned what not to do from a woman I worked with before,” she said. “But with Maryanne, she trusted me from the very start. She let me figure things out on my own, which was really empowering.”
Copeland strongly believes that women should have a voice in business, especially when it comes to empowering caregivers. “A lot of our caregivers have not had people believe in them before, so we try to be that supportive network for them,” she said.
Her advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs is rooted in confidence and purpose: “Believe in yourself. That can be hard, but if you have confidence, it will pay off. Having a ‘why’ is essential — it keeps you going. If you just make it about money, you don’t have anything that connects you emotionally.”
Griswold has been part of Kelly and Jessica Howard’s lives for as long as they can remember. Their mother, Cathy, and grandmother, Francis, started their Griswold office in Fairfield County, Connecticut, in 1991, starting from their basement. Growing up, Kelly and Jessica watched the business evolve and saw firsthand the difference Griswold made in their community.
“Our mom was our biggest influence,” Jessica said. “Seeing her entrepreneurship and the ability to be her own boss was hugely inspiring. From a young age, we saw the good that Griswold did for both clients and caregivers. We saw how many caregivers found stability and growth in their careers, going on to pursue their dreams and further their education.”
After completing college, Kelly worked as a caregiver, which deepened her love for the work. “I did some caregiving after college, and it really drew me in,” she said. “The relationships we build with families are what keeps us going. We’ve had families call us in tears, telling us how happy they are with the care their loved ones are receiving. That’s what makes this more than just a job.”
Kelly and Jessica also manage an office with an all-women staff. “There are 12 of us in the office with 180 years of combined Griswold experience,” Kelly said. “It’s such a fulfilling experience to work with an all-women team. We’ve seen the growth of our caregivers, many of whom have moved into office roles or pursued further education.”
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see women grow and succeed within the company,” Jessica said. “We’ve had caregivers go from the field into the office, and they’ve really thrived. The Jean Griswold Foundation has also been instrumental in offering scholarships to female caregivers. Seeing them succeed is inspiring.”
Kelly’s advice for other women looking to start their own business is to connect with others: “Join groups and network. There are so many women out there who want to start their own business, and having a network of like-minded people to turn to has been incredibly helpful for me.”
Griswold is proud to honor these inspiring women this Women’s History Month, celebrating their legacies and the ongoing impact they have on their communities, their employees and the future of the home care industry. Through their unwavering dedication and passion, they are shaping the future of Griswold and inspiring other women to take the leap into entrepreneurship, just as they did.
“The risk is really worth it when it comes to starting this franchise,” said Murray. “You are doing what you love, so it’s not just a job — it’s your baby.”
These women are living proof of the power of taking risks, believing in yourself and creating a business that serves others while empowering women to follow their own entrepreneurial dreams.
To learn more about Griswold, visit: GriswoldCare.com
For more information on franchising with Griswold, visit: https://1851franchise.com/griswold/info.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
No related articles found
