After six years as a software engineer, Dennis Hodapp began to feel the tech industry was lacking the human connection and deeper purpose he craved. He took a detour through seminary, studied theology and philosophy, then spent time as a theology teacher and campus minister before looking for a path that paired entrepreneurship with service.

Now, he has officially opened a Griswold location serving Pflugerville and Round Rock — suburbs of Austin, Texas — as of Feb. 9, joining an in-home care brand built around non-medical, in-home support for seniors and others who need help living safely and comfortably at home.

“I had always been interested in starting my own business and had thought about it for well over 10 years, but nothing ever really seemed to fit,” Hodapp said. “It’s daunting to build a business from the ground up when you don’t have a business background. When I discovered Griswold, I was amazed by how professional and supportive the environment was. I knew that’s what I needed to be able to get this off the ground.”

His decision was also shaped by years of volunteering with seniors, including hospice and nursing home visits — experiences that helped confirm he wanted to build a business centered on care, relationships and community impact.

1851 Franchise spoke with Hodapp about his journey into franchising with Griswold. Here’s what he had to say:

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

Hodapp: I've done a lot of different things throughout my career. I worked in software for a while, but I also took a detour to seminary to study theology and philosophy. I taught for two years as a theology teacher and campus minister. For me, I'm the kind of person who really wants what I do to be meaningful. I find a lot of fulfillment in being able to help people, so I wanted to do something to pursue that calling.

I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering with the elderly, primarily visiting people in hospice and nursing homes. I really enjoy getting to be around seniors and hearing their stories, which is what sparked my interest in senior care.

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

Hodapp: For the past six years, I’ve been in the software world as a software engineer. I had always been interested in starting my own business and thought about it for well over 10 years, but nothing ever really seemed to fit. It’s daunting to build a business from the ground up when you don’t have a business background.

When I discovered Griswold, I was amazed by how professional and supportive the environment was. I knew that’s what I needed to be able to get this off the ground. If I was doing this alone, I know I would hit a roadblock and not know what to do. I really value being able to call someone to get support and answer any questions.

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?

Hodapp: Previously, I didn’t have a great opinion of franchising. I used to think of franchising as just a big corporate organization, probably because of the homogeneity of it. 

After becoming involved in franchising, I can see that there's a reason it works. People value that consistency of care and professionalism. I actually have a much more positive view of it now that I've seen it from the inside, because it really enables people to start businesses and build something for themselves. 

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

Hodapp: Griswold cares so deeply about the mission of what they’re doing. I immediately noticed that the people doing it really care about the people they serve. I’ve heard over and over from other owners that while it's hard work, it is extraordinarily rewarding when a customer tells you how much you've changed their life. It's a strong brand with a high standard of professionalism that stays up to date with trends.

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

Hodapp: My short-term goal is simply to get everything up and running to serve people locally. Long-term, I really want to be involved and be a resource for people in my community needing care. One big thing for me is the emphasis on caring for the Caregivers themselves, not just the clients. I would love to set up my business in a way that empowers the Caregivers. It can be a really taxing job, so I want to be able to support them in their careers and in their personal lives.

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

Hodapp: ​​When working with seniors, I’ve really enjoyed the human connection and the depth of knowledge that elderly people have to share. Outside of the business, I love hanging out with my family and my two girls. 

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

Hodapp: I would say that it's okay to take risks. I think we're a very risk-averse society these days, but it's worth it to take the leap. You’ll never know what kind of impact you could have through your business if you aren’t willing to take the risk.

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.