For many entrepreneurs, business ownership comes with a difficult tradeoff between professional success and personal flexibility. For Homewatch CareGivers franchisee Tristin Rayburn, franchising has allowed her to prioritize both.

After relocating her family from Arizona to Tennessee and leaving behind the uncertainty of independent business ownership in the retail world, Rayburn found a franchise system that offered the structure, support and mission she had been searching for.

Today, as the owner of a recently opened Homewatch CareGivers in The Smokies, TN, she spends her days networking, conducting client consultations, recruiting caregivers, and engaging in strategic planning, all while still making time for school drop-offs and pickups.

Finding the Right Fit Through Franchising

Before joining Homewatch CareGivers, Rayburn and her family owned a retail business in Arizona. While the business initially performed well, opening during the COVID-19 pandemic created challenges that became increasingly difficult to overcome. 

"What led us to franchising was mainly the guidance of the franchise support," she said. "Everything with the previous business was trial and error. Leveraging systems that were already in place drew us to franchising. I was also a CNA [Certified Nursing Assistant] and in nursing school while we were running our last business.”

That combination of business ownership experience and health care knowledge made Homewatch CareGivers a natural fit. "When we saw Homewatch CareGivers, it immediately felt right," Rayburn said. “After having our first call, the process could not have gone any smoother. There is so much support.”

Another factor that most differentiated Homewatch CareGivers during Rayburn's evaluation process was the brand's technology platform, Homewatch Connect. Homewatch Connect helps clients remain independent at home while staying connected to caregivers and loved ones. Built around a familiar TV interface, the system enables video calls, medication and appointment reminders, wellness activities, and remote monitoring through sensors and connected health devices. By combining communication, wellness support and care insights in one secure platform, Homewatch Connect helps reduce isolation, promote safety and provide greater peace of mind for families.

The system resonated with Rayburn both professionally and personally.

"I really liked the Homewatch Connect system," Rayburn said. “When we moved across the country, we didn't have family on every corner anymore, so we understood how important it is to have that ability to stay connected virtually. I loved the idea of Homewatch Connect. That was really what sold me on the concept.”

After purchasing the franchise, Rayburn opened her business in April and quickly began building momentum. "So far, so good," she said. "We've taken on quite a few clients."

Starting the Day With Community Connections

No two days are exactly the same, but Rayburn says relationship-building is often one of the first priorities on her schedule. One of the benefits of franchise ownership, she says, is the flexibility it provides.

"I can still take my kids to and from school," Rayburn said.

After that, much of her day is focused on connecting with referral partners and building awareness throughout the community.

"I do a lot of networking events," she said. "This morning, for example, we met with a great senior networking community here in our town. We had breakfast there this morning and got to introduce ourselves and explain who our clientele is. We’ve connected with many groups like that in the area and they’ve already started to send people our way.”

Running the Business and Growing the Team

Once the networking events are complete, Rayburn shifts her attention to the business's daily operations. "We come into the office, check emails and just kind of figure out what our next step is," she said. “We're always talking about how to get caregivers, how to get clients and implementing strategies on the next level of success.”

Recruitment remains one of the biggest priorities for the business. "Our biggest hurdle has been finding caregivers," she said. “Right now the ones we do have are great, and we're just trying to add to that and find more great ones. We want to continue to provide quality care. I don't want to hire anybody I wouldn't want to hire to take care of my own family.”

As an owner, Rayburn remains heavily involved in both operations and care delivery. "I also do the consultations and cover shifts when we have call-outs," she said.

That hands-on approach allows her to stay closely connected to both clients and caregivers while building the foundation for future growth.

Already, one of the biggest differences between her independent business experience and franchise ownership has been the accessibility of support. "We definitely find time to focus on growth," Rayburn said. "The support from the Homewatch team has been amazing. I utilize them as much as possible so we can focus on the big picture. When you buy into a franchise, that is a key advantage.”

The team's responsiveness has been particularly valuable as a new owner, Rayburn says. "I am constantly emailing them and within 10 minutes I can usually hop on a meeting and answer questions," she said. "A lot of our success has been thanks to them."

Ending the Day with a Focus on Quality Care

While many business owners finish their day when they leave the office, Rayburn's work often continues into the evening. "We are usually done around late afternoon," she said. “I am usually still working when I get home in the evenings. Getting leads, getting emails, sending them out and things like that.”

But regardless of how busy the day becomes, her focus remains centered on delivering exceptional care. "I recently completed a dementia care certification course and right now we're beginning to get caregivers certified in that as well to provide that quality of care," she said. “I want our name to be well known in the community and beyond. When they think of home care, I want them to think of us."

For Rayburn, that mission makes every networking event, caregiver interview and late-night email worth the effort. 

For more information on franchising with Homewatch CareGivers, please visit https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers.