For 20 years, Courtney Harper built a career around numbers. As a CPA in Texas, her professional world was defined by balance sheets and the rigid structure of the corporate financial sector. But life rewrote her plan when a sudden battle with ulcerative colitis changed Harper’s perspective on what matters most.
During her recovery, Harper found herself on the other side of the care equation and in need of a caregiver herself. It was an experience that opened her eyes to the profound impact of the home care industry. But when she eventually returned to corporate life, the spark was gone. The long hours felt unsustainable. And the work no longer felt significant.
"I made the decision to find a new career path that had purpose," Harper said. "When I connected with Homewatch CareGivers, I could personally relate to the caregiving aspect. It just felt like such a perfect match to bring my experience and what it meant to me to others."
Harper didn’t rush into the new venture. She spent two years researching various franchise models while remaining hard at work at her corporate job. In search of a properly aligned fit, she explored franchise options in the beauty and real estate industries. While some models offered the allure of passive income, the home care mission continued to stand out.
Now entering her third year as the owner of Homewatch CareGivers of Chandler Sun Lakes in Arizona, Harper considers her financial background a distinct advantage. Beyond managing the books, her history as a CPA allows her to build trust with a specific group of referral partners.
Making the pivot from cubicle to entrepreneurship brought a new set of opportunities. For Harper, being in business means managing the delicate overlap of professional growth, family life and her own ongoing journey with chronic illness.
When reflecting on her path, Harper views her achievements through a lens that goes beyond merely the bottom line.
"I’m hard on myself, but really, I look at it as freedom," she said. "I’m a mom and I have chronic illnesses. So, it’s that freedom over my time that lets me be there for myself and my family. And that’s what I consider success."
One of the most rewarding aspects of her new career has been the ability to connect with other female leaders. Harper has found that the local business landscape in her Arizona community is becoming more and more supportive of women making the ownership leap.
"There are a growing number of women business owner organizations, and there’s a lot of opportunity now for women to connect,” Harper said. “I was invited to be on a board. Those opportunities just weren’t there a while back. A lot of women are rallying together to support each other. And that’s helped us all elevate each other’s businesses in the community.”
That sense of community extends to her own home and office. Harper sees her role as a Homewatch CareGivers franchise owner as a way to model independence for the women in her life.
"One thing that’s interesting is that one of my daughter and my sister are both entrepreneurs now,” she said. “Our other daughter is watching my journey and thinking about how she might be empowered to work for herself one day.”
The home care industry is generally known for high turnover rates. But Harper has found success by leading with empathy. She avoids micromanaging and instead focuses on treating her staff as humans first. Because she knows what it’s like to want to work while your body is failing, she offers her caregivers a level of understanding that’s rare in the corporate world. For Harper, this leadership style is part of a larger commitment to mentorship.
"As I meet our caregivers and people in the office, I look for opportunities to give them as much growth and new opportunities as I can,” she said. “It is a responsibility to help other women rise.”
Harper is also vocal about the internal barriers that can stop talented women from starting a business, specifically the feeling that one might not belong in the room.
"One thing, especially for women starting a business, is the imposter syndrome piece of it. It can really hold you back," she said. "I’ve worked hard to overcome that. I know I’m not the only one. A lot of women feel that challenge. And it can hold you back from starting your business if you don’t get past it."
Harper is now focused on expanding her Homewatch CareGivers footprint in the Chandler and Sun Lakes area. She wants to own a significant portion of her local market while helping fill gaps in care access and availability. She’s learned many lessons as a franchise owner and has no regrets about leaving corporate life behind. Her advice to those still sitting in a cubicle and dreaming of something more is rooted in the perspective she’s gained along the way.
"I was more afraid of 'what if' than of doing it," Harper said. "It’s about not having those 'what if' questions and just being brave. I always trust things will work out. So, just go for it if you really want to do something."
For more information on franchising with Homewatch CareGivers, visit: https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers/.
Homewatch CareGivers
SPONSORED
After a career as a CPA and a personal health battle, Harper launched a home care franchise to provide meaningful support to families and empower women in her Chandler community.
For 20 years, Courtney Harper built a career around numbers. As a CPA in Texas, her professional world was defined by balance sheets and the rigid structure of the corporate financial sector. But life rewrote her plan when a sudden battle with ulcerative colitis changed Harper’s perspective on what matters most.
During her recovery, Harper found herself on the other side of the care equation and in need of a caregiver herself. It was an experience that opened her eyes to the profound impact of the home care industry. But when she eventually returned to corporate life, the spark was gone. The long hours felt unsustainable. And the work no longer felt significant.
"I made the decision to find a new career path that had purpose," Harper said. "When I connected with Homewatch CareGivers, I could personally relate to the caregiving aspect. It just felt like such a perfect match to bring my experience and what it meant to me to others."
Harper didn’t rush into the new venture. She spent two years researching various franchise models while remaining hard at work at her corporate job. In search of a properly aligned fit, she explored franchise options in the beauty and real estate industries. While some models offered the allure of passive income, the home care mission continued to stand out.
Now entering her third year as the owner of Homewatch CareGivers of Chandler Sun Lakes in Arizona, Harper considers her financial background a distinct advantage. Beyond managing the books, her history as a CPA allows her to build trust with a specific group of referral partners.
Making the pivot from cubicle to entrepreneurship brought a new set of opportunities. For Harper, being in business means managing the delicate overlap of professional growth, family life and her own ongoing journey with chronic illness.
When reflecting on her path, Harper views her achievements through a lens that goes beyond merely the bottom line.
"I’m hard on myself, but really, I look at it as freedom," she said. "I’m a mom and I have chronic illnesses. So, it’s that freedom over my time that lets me be there for myself and my family. And that’s what I consider success."
One of the most rewarding aspects of her new career has been the ability to connect with other female leaders. Harper has found that the local business landscape in her Arizona community is becoming more and more supportive of women making the ownership leap.
"There are a growing number of women business owner organizations, and there’s a lot of opportunity now for women to connect,” Harper said. “I was invited to be on a board. Those opportunities just weren’t there a while back. A lot of women are rallying together to support each other. And that’s helped us all elevate each other’s businesses in the community.”
That sense of community extends to her own home and office. Harper sees her role as a Homewatch CareGivers franchise owner as a way to model independence for the women in her life.
"One thing that’s interesting is that one of my daughter and my sister are both entrepreneurs now,” she said. “Our other daughter is watching my journey and thinking about how she might be empowered to work for herself one day.”
The home care industry is generally known for high turnover rates. But Harper has found success by leading with empathy. She avoids micromanaging and instead focuses on treating her staff as humans first. Because she knows what it’s like to want to work while your body is failing, she offers her caregivers a level of understanding that’s rare in the corporate world. For Harper, this leadership style is part of a larger commitment to mentorship.
"As I meet our caregivers and people in the office, I look for opportunities to give them as much growth and new opportunities as I can,” she said. “It is a responsibility to help other women rise.”
Harper is also vocal about the internal barriers that can stop talented women from starting a business, specifically the feeling that one might not belong in the room.
"One thing, especially for women starting a business, is the imposter syndrome piece of it. It can really hold you back," she said. "I’ve worked hard to overcome that. I know I’m not the only one. A lot of women feel that challenge. And it can hold you back from starting your business if you don’t get past it."
Harper is now focused on expanding her Homewatch CareGivers footprint in the Chandler and Sun Lakes area. She wants to own a significant portion of her local market while helping fill gaps in care access and availability. She’s learned many lessons as a franchise owner and has no regrets about leaving corporate life behind. Her advice to those still sitting in a cubicle and dreaming of something more is rooted in the perspective she’s gained along the way.
"I was more afraid of 'what if' than of doing it," Harper said. "It’s about not having those 'what if' questions and just being brave. I always trust things will work out. So, just go for it if you really want to do something."
For more information on franchising with Homewatch CareGivers, visit: https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers/.
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