Healthcare Industry Veteran Opens Seniors Helping Seniors in The Villages

1851 Franchise spoke with Kyla Abbott about her franchising journey with Seniors Helping Seniors.

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

Kyla Abbott: I worked in a hospital as the assistant to the vice president of nursing for quite a while. Then I moved into real estate. The reputation of Seniors Helping Seniors in The Villages is what drew me to purchase the franchise.

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?

Abbott: I worked for someone who bought a coffee franchise so I was able to learn about franchising through her. By the time I decided to open my own business, I felt like I knew franchising was a great option for me.

1851: What makes you stand out as business owners in your local community?

Abbott: We are a local business that really cares about the people that we are serving. We want to provide the best care because these are our neighbors. 

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

Abbott: I think we would like to be known in the community as the premier caregiver service. When people think of caregivers in the area, I want them to think about Seniors Helping Seniors.

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 moving to the U.S. in 1995 and marrying 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 stands 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.