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When Maria Dernocoeur arrived in Michigan from Cuba more than 30 years ago, her primary assets were a factory job and a relentless drive for a better life. Eventually, she put herself through nursing school at the University of Detroit Mercy. It’s a path born from a desire to give back to the country that provided her a fresh start.&nbsp;"I arrived with just $20 in my pocket. No English, nothing. I was just looking for a better future," Dernocoeur said. "Starting from nothing shapes how you view sacrifice. It builds empathy. You want to excel in a different culture and give your best."That early resilience became the foundation for a two-decade career spanning oncology, acute care and home health. Today, as the vice president of New Mexico operations and director of operations for&nbsp;<a href="https://homehalofranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-mexico-senior-care-operations-2731711" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Home Halo</a>, Dernocoeur is using that clinical perspective to bridge a massive gap in the senior care industry: the lack of professional medical oversight in non-medical home care.<h2>Identifying the Gap in Care</h2>After moving to Albuquerque 11 years ago, Dernocoeur balanced clinical work with her own business ventures. However, the COVID pandemic highlighted a troubling trend in the local home health landscape. She noticed agencies sending caregivers into homes without proper training (often because New Mexico law does not strictly require nursing staff for non-skilled agencies).Dernocoeur saw an opportunity to change that standard when she met&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/home-halo/info">Home Halo</a> founder and CEO,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-deak-homehalo/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=new-mexico-senior-care-operations-2731711" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dan Deak</a>. Joining Deak, she’d go on to lead the New Mexico operations, building a better model where clinical excellence and business growth are inseparable."Many caregiver companies don’t have nursing staff because New Mexico law doesn’t require it," Dernocoeur said. "But we make it our mission to have registered nurses on staff to perform assessments and provide training so we can deliver the best care possible."<h2>Operationalizing Empathy</h2>Transitioning from the bedside to leadership required a significant shift in mindset. But Dernocoeur views her nursing background as her greatest operational asset. At Home Halo New Mexico, she’s built a culture where empathy is a measurable standard, starting with a rigorous hiring process that includes video interviews and questionnaires designed to ensure a genuine connection.Once a caregiver is hired, the clinical team remains involved. A nurse accompanies caregivers on their first visits to ensure the work meets a high standard. This hands-on approach has allowed the agency to grow through grassroots community trust, with Dernocoeur estimating that 95% of her clients know her personally."I believe in leading by example," she said. "Organizations tend to take on the personality of their leaders. If you’re hands-on and caring, your team will be too. They see me going the extra mile. And they do the same."<h2>A Scalable Mission for New Mexico</h2>In just over two years, the New Mexico operation has seen significant growth, serving both seniors and veterans across the region. For health care professionals who are hesitant to move into the business side of the industry, Dernocoeur serves as a proof of concept that a nurse-first mentality can drive business results.While the transition requires learning to make difficult operational decisions, she maintains that the core of the work remains largely unchanged."It’s very different. You have to change how you think and become more operational. But once a nurse, always a nurse," Dernocoeur said. "That caring, hands-on mentality adds a positive layer to being a business leader. I see it as a strength."As Home Halo continues to expand its footprint, Dernocoeur is focused on maintaining the warmth informed by her Cuban roots. Because for her, the growth of the brand is an extension of a philosophy that’s quite personal."I’m from Cuba. We’re ‘people persons,’" she said. "We love communication, connection and love. And that’s what we bring to our work."To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/home-halo">https://1851franchise.com/home-halo</a>

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Home Halo: Scaling Clinician-Led Senior Care Franchise Operations

1851 Franchise

Former RN turned VP of Operations Maria Dernocoeur shares how Home Halo’s people-first model empowers franchisees to build purpose-driven, locally-focused, scalable senior care businesses.

This brand page has been paid for by HOME HALO. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

How Home Halo Is Using Clinical Expertise to Set a New Standard in Senior Care

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<a href="https://homehalofranchising.com/">Home Halo</a>, the purpose-driven senior care franchise, is meeting a new wave of entrepreneurs who enter the field with business goals in mind, not just caregiving ambitions. These owners want to build scalable, service-oriented companies that make a meaningful difference in their communities while creating financial freedom and long-term growth.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/home-halo">Home Halo</a> was designed for exactly that. Rather than training franchisees to be caregivers, the brand equips them to be local leaders. Every aspect of the model, from its training programs to its operational systems, is built to position franchisees as CEOs of their own care companies.The difference is clear: Home Halo doesn’t just teach franchisees how to run a home care agency. It teaches them how to lead one.<h2>The 160-Step Launch Process</h2>Home Halo’s 160-step launch process is designed to guide franchisees through each phase of the launch process with clarity and structure.The process provides a clear, sequential roadmap covering compliance, staffing, technology setup, marketing execution and referral development. Each milestone is defined, with clear actions so owners always understand what to tackle next.Built to support both first-time business owners and experienced operators, the system removes guesswork from the startup phase. With detailed operational guidance and hands-on support, franchisees are equipped to open their doors confidently and stay focused on delivering quality care from day one.<h2>Dan Deak’s Personal Touch</h2>CEO Dan Deak has spent more than a decade working in senior care, and he stays closely involved with new franchise owners. He is not removed from the day-to-day process. Franchisees work directly with Deak during discovery, training, and their first year in business, with ongoing guidance as they build and operate their locations.His hands-on approach combines business expertise with genuine care for people — the same values that inspired Home Halo’s founding — so when someone joins Home Halo, they’re not just buying a franchise. They’re gaining a partner who’s committed to their long-term success.<h2>The Frank Method: Training That Builds Leaders, Not Just Operators</h2>The brand’s proprietary training program, known as the Frank Method, is a cornerstone of the Home Halo system. Inspired by the values and fundamentals instilled by Deak’s father, a respected teacher and baseball coach, the Frank Method is designed to develop leaders who embody discipline, consistency and compassion.This leadership-first training covers every dimension of the business:<ul><li>Leadership development to foster decision-making and vision-setting.</li><li>Staff management to help franchisees recruit, motivate and retain caregivers.</li><li>Care standards and client experience to ensure quality service and strong client relationships.</li><li>Sales and community engagement to grow local visibility and trust.</li><li>Operational excellence through proven systems and performance metrics.</li></ul>The result is franchisees who not only know how to run a business but also know how to inspire a team and serve a community.<h2>Ongoing Support That Keeps Franchisees in Their CEO Role</h2>Once a Home Halo location is up and running, franchisees continue to benefit from active corporate support designed to help them stay focused on leadership rather than daily operations.Franchisees have direct access to support teams that help them work through challenges and make day-to-day business decisions. The brand provides marketing programs designed to drive client inquiries, along with recruiting tools that help owners hire and retain caregivers, reducing the need to personally manage shift coverage.Technology and reporting systems give franchisees full visibility into operations, allowing them to monitor performance and growth. Monthly CEO coaching calls reinforce leadership habits, helping each owner stay aligned with the brand’s values and long-term mission.<h2>The Path to Becoming a Local Care CEO</h2>Home Halo is ideal for individuals who want to lead, build and grow within their communities, not burn out in the day-to-day grind of operations. With a proven launch system, continuous coaching and a leadership-driven culture, Home Halo transforms its franchisees into confident, community-focused care CEOs.For those ready to build a meaningful business that serves others while achieving personal and professional growth, Home Halo offers the tools, mentorship and mission to make it happen.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/home-halo">https://1851franchise.com/home-halo</a>.

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With hands-on coaching from CEO Dan Deak, a 160-step launch process and the signature Frank Method of training, Home Halo turns every franchisee into a confident, community-facing care leader.

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How Home Halo Is Using Clinical Expertise to Set a New Standard in Senior Care

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