For more than 20 years, Kathryn Parks has approached franchise ownership with the same philosophy: take exceptional care of caregivers, deliver outstanding service to clients and trust that business growth will follow.
That mindset has helped Parks build one of the longest-running and most successful Homewatch CareGivers businesses in the system. This year, it also earned her the brand's highest recognition: Franchisee of the Year.
The honor is based on more than revenue alone. Eligible franchisees must have been in the system for at least 36 months, meet brand and compliance standards, post year-over-year revenue growth of at least 10% and maintain a Google rating above 4.5 stars. They must also invest in staff development and community outreach, support brand initiatives and reflect Homewatch CareGivers’ people-first approach to care.
Parks checked every box.
More impressive still, her office delivered the strongest year in its history after more than two decades in business, proving that sustained excellence often comes from continuous improvement rather than short-term success.
Parks didn't begin her career in health care. After graduating from college, she spent years in commercial banking, commercial real estate and special assets before joining GE Healthcare, where she evaluated health care facilities across the country. That experience unexpectedly changed the direction of her career.
"I remember it was my first time really exposed to memory care," Parks said. "I was going around these units and meeting folks with dementia and felt my heartstrings really drawn to these people."
At nearly the same time, her own father, a physician, was diagnosed with dementia. "I had moved him into my house and was taking care of him," she said. "I had worked for builders, developers and bankers forever, and I liked it, but there was no feel-good aspect of it. My company is named after my father today. I used to go out on house calls with him when I was a little girl. It was nice to come back full circle to this industry."
Before purchasing a franchise, Parks carefully evaluated multiple home care companies. She says she interviewed 10 different concepts, but one stood out above the rest.
"Of all of them, when I met the Homewatch team, I could tell that making money wasn't the only reason they were doing this,” she said. “It was about helping people. If you run the business right, the money will come. But you really have to have a passion for this business. I know I can be a good manager, I know I can take care of the caregivers and I know I can take care of the clients."
Like many franchisees, Parks launched her business from home. She says growth came quickly and followed almost exactly what was outlined in the FDD. But the most satisfying part, she says, was the relationships she started to create with both caregivers and clients.
"I remember a caregiver coming to me about six months after I started the business and she was so emotional and thankful for me giving her a job,” Parks said. “The experience was so personal and it made me realize how important it is to take care of not just the clients, but also the staff. We would be nowhere without their hard work. I never forget that."
That people-first mindset continues to define her business today. "I still have my very first client after 21 years," she said.
Parks' business has steadily expanded through economic downturns, industry changes and the challenges of the pandemic.
Like many home care operators, COVID required a reset. “Now we are really turning around and growing again,” Parks said. “All of our growth happened without really hiring new people. Now we are implementing new systems."
Even after two decades, she remains energized by the opportunity ahead.
"I'm shocked to keep growing after 21 years," Parks said. "I'm enjoying it. It's so fun to help people and to see that growth and what it can do for the people I work with."
One reason Parks has maintained consistent performance is her willingness to invest back into her team.
"We have a profit-sharing plan and we invite all of our caregivers to take part in it," she said. "It's a game-changer. It feels really good to be successful and share that with our caregivers. I would not be successful without my office team and my caregivers."
Over the years, Parks has also mentored several franchise owners throughout the Homewatch CareGivers network.
"One of the most valuable aspects is working with other franchise owners," Parks said. "It's nice to be able to talk business to people who are in the same business and share best practices. I've mentored many offices over the years and some of them have done amazingly. Working with other owners has been so helpful, especially working through some tough times. During COVID, for example, we all stayed connected and motivated."
Still, despite being so involved in the system, Parks says receiving the Franchisee of the Year award came as a surprise.
"I was so shocked when I won the Franchisee of the Year award," Parks said. "The accolades often go to the new people, and I got a lot of awards in those first years, but to still be recognized all of these years later is so great."
The recognition represented more than personal achievement. "I brag about it to everybody," she said with a laugh. "I really deeply appreciate it, as does my whole staff. It's a reflection of all of us, and we had an amazing celebration."
Looking back, Parks says patience and consistency were the biggest contributors to her success.
"This was advice that I got when I first started," she said. "One is to constantly be hiring, especially in those first couple of years. You have to keep that going. Eventually you are going to get to a point where you have a core group, but it took me three years to really build credibility. So be patient with the process. The other is to always follow the franchisor's advice."
After 21 years, Parks' journey demonstrates exactly what Homewatch CareGivers looks for in its Franchisee of the Year: sustained growth, operational excellence, exceptional care, strong leadership and a willingness to strengthen the entire franchise system, not just one business.
For more information on franchising with Homewatch CareGivers, please visit https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers.
Homewatch CareGivers
SPONSORED
After more than two decades with the brand, Kathryn Parks' record-breaking year, commitment to caregivers and mentorship across the system earned her Homewatch CareGivers' highest franchisee honor.
For more than 20 years, Kathryn Parks has approached franchise ownership with the same philosophy: take exceptional care of caregivers, deliver outstanding service to clients and trust that business growth will follow.
That mindset has helped Parks build one of the longest-running and most successful Homewatch CareGivers businesses in the system. This year, it also earned her the brand's highest recognition: Franchisee of the Year.
The honor is based on more than revenue alone. Eligible franchisees must have been in the system for at least 36 months, meet brand and compliance standards, post year-over-year revenue growth of at least 10% and maintain a Google rating above 4.5 stars. They must also invest in staff development and community outreach, support brand initiatives and reflect Homewatch CareGivers’ people-first approach to care.
Parks checked every box.
More impressive still, her office delivered the strongest year in its history after more than two decades in business, proving that sustained excellence often comes from continuous improvement rather than short-term success.
Parks didn't begin her career in health care. After graduating from college, she spent years in commercial banking, commercial real estate and special assets before joining GE Healthcare, where she evaluated health care facilities across the country. That experience unexpectedly changed the direction of her career.
"I remember it was my first time really exposed to memory care," Parks said. "I was going around these units and meeting folks with dementia and felt my heartstrings really drawn to these people."
At nearly the same time, her own father, a physician, was diagnosed with dementia. "I had moved him into my house and was taking care of him," she said. "I had worked for builders, developers and bankers forever, and I liked it, but there was no feel-good aspect of it. My company is named after my father today. I used to go out on house calls with him when I was a little girl. It was nice to come back full circle to this industry."
Before purchasing a franchise, Parks carefully evaluated multiple home care companies. She says she interviewed 10 different concepts, but one stood out above the rest.
"Of all of them, when I met the Homewatch team, I could tell that making money wasn't the only reason they were doing this,” she said. “It was about helping people. If you run the business right, the money will come. But you really have to have a passion for this business. I know I can be a good manager, I know I can take care of the caregivers and I know I can take care of the clients."
Like many franchisees, Parks launched her business from home. She says growth came quickly and followed almost exactly what was outlined in the FDD. But the most satisfying part, she says, was the relationships she started to create with both caregivers and clients.
"I remember a caregiver coming to me about six months after I started the business and she was so emotional and thankful for me giving her a job,” Parks said. “The experience was so personal and it made me realize how important it is to take care of not just the clients, but also the staff. We would be nowhere without their hard work. I never forget that."
That people-first mindset continues to define her business today. "I still have my very first client after 21 years," she said.
Parks' business has steadily expanded through economic downturns, industry changes and the challenges of the pandemic.
Like many home care operators, COVID required a reset. “Now we are really turning around and growing again,” Parks said. “All of our growth happened without really hiring new people. Now we are implementing new systems."
Even after two decades, she remains energized by the opportunity ahead.
"I'm shocked to keep growing after 21 years," Parks said. "I'm enjoying it. It's so fun to help people and to see that growth and what it can do for the people I work with."
One reason Parks has maintained consistent performance is her willingness to invest back into her team.
"We have a profit-sharing plan and we invite all of our caregivers to take part in it," she said. "It's a game-changer. It feels really good to be successful and share that with our caregivers. I would not be successful without my office team and my caregivers."
Over the years, Parks has also mentored several franchise owners throughout the Homewatch CareGivers network.
"One of the most valuable aspects is working with other franchise owners," Parks said. "It's nice to be able to talk business to people who are in the same business and share best practices. I've mentored many offices over the years and some of them have done amazingly. Working with other owners has been so helpful, especially working through some tough times. During COVID, for example, we all stayed connected and motivated."
Still, despite being so involved in the system, Parks says receiving the Franchisee of the Year award came as a surprise.
"I was so shocked when I won the Franchisee of the Year award," Parks said. "The accolades often go to the new people, and I got a lot of awards in those first years, but to still be recognized all of these years later is so great."
The recognition represented more than personal achievement. "I brag about it to everybody," she said with a laugh. "I really deeply appreciate it, as does my whole staff. It's a reflection of all of us, and we had an amazing celebration."
Looking back, Parks says patience and consistency were the biggest contributors to her success.
"This was advice that I got when I first started," she said. "One is to constantly be hiring, especially in those first couple of years. You have to keep that going. Eventually you are going to get to a point where you have a core group, but it took me three years to really build credibility. So be patient with the process. The other is to always follow the franchisor's advice."
After 21 years, Parks' journey demonstrates exactly what Homewatch CareGivers looks for in its Franchisee of the Year: sustained growth, operational excellence, exceptional care, strong leadership and a willingness to strengthen the entire franchise system, not just one business.
For more information on franchising with Homewatch CareGivers, please visit https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers.
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