Homewatch CareGivers

For husband-and-wife team Joanne and Michael Fenner, franchise ownership was more than a business decision; it was a shared leap rooted in personal experience, trust, and a desire to build something meaningful together. Ready to leave the retail world, Joanne sought work with greater impact. Both she and Michael have firsthand experience caring for loved ones and understand the impact proper care can have.&nbsp;Today, the Fenners are preparing to open their first Homewatch CareGivers location in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Their story is a testament to partnership - one built through honest conversations, complementary strengths, and a willingness to support each other in a whole new venture while making a difference in their community.<h2>From Retail Burnout to Business Ownership</h2>The idea was conceived when Joanne reached a breaking point in her retail career. Seeking greater control over the impact of her work, she and Michael began to seriously explore the idea of owning a business together. Soon, Michael began researching franchising online and eventually connected with a franchise broker. Following validation calls, the couple narrowed their focus to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers/info">Homewatch CareGivers</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=husband-wife-franchise-owners-2731723" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Authority Brands’</a> in-home care franchise.For Joanne, leaving retail was the beginning of a meaningful shift.“It gave me a new perspective,” she said. “I want to help other people. That’s what helps me.”<h2>A Shared History in Caregiving</h2>Caregiving was already familiar territory for the Fenners.Joanne had cared for her father and grandparents while living in California. Michael also watched his mother spend years caring for his grandparents, often at the expense of his mother’s career.“It was hard. Helping them bathe, get to the bathroom — all the things you never expect to do,” Michael said. “That’s why this stood out to me: so other families don’t have to go through what my mom did and give up their careers.”As his grandparents’ health declined due to ALS and Parkinson’s, Michael saw how overwhelming caregiving could be without adequate support. It’s an experience that has stayed with him as the couple began to more seriously explore franchise options.<h2>Why Homewatch CareGivers Stood Out</h2>Consistency has long been a hallmark of franchising. As the Fenners evaluated different industries and concepts, what ultimately set&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers">Homewatch CareGivers</a> apart for them was consistency: in leadership, franchisee feedback, and long-term reputation.“With Homewatch, it was all good,” Michael said. “All of the franchisees we spoke to said the franchise was supportive and doing its best to help them.”The strength of a properly supported system also resonated. Over the course of more than four decades,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/homewatch-caregivers/info">Homewatch CareGivers</a> has continually refined its model, providing the structure and credibility local franchise owners need to succeed. For first-time franchisees entering a people-first industry, both were essential.For Joanne, delivering care sealed the deal.“Helping older people,” she said. “I like giving back.”<h2>Building a Business as a Husband and Wife Team</h2>Joanne leads daily operations, while Michael plays a key role behind the scenes, helping with strategy, systems, and problem-solving as they build their foundation.It’s a dynamic Michael sees as a distinct advantage.“We toss ideas back and forth,” he said. “If she needs help with something, I can try to help. We cover each other's meetings depending on who’s busy. It just works well.”<h2>Partners in Life (and in Business)</h2>Starting a new business requires a leap of faith. And it’s important to have someone you can trust on board. Michael and Joanne play that role for each other. But the concept of trust has also become increasingly important as the Fenners prepare to hire their first employee.&nbsp;“At the end of the day, we know we have each other’s backs,” Michael said. “If she needs help at the office, I’ll be there.”Looking ahead, the Fenners plan to expand their Homewatch CareGivers operation across South Carolina and Georgia in the coming years. But for now, the focus is on the March grand opening while they begin their next chapter together in both business and life.As Michael put it simply, the business may be Joanne’s “baby.” But it’s one they’re raising side by side, a partnership grounded in shared purpose and a commitment that the couple can experience together.About Homewatch CareGivers&nbsp;Founded in 1980, Homewatch CareGivers is one of the most experienced networks of providers of full-service home care for people of all ages. Caregivers are triple-screened and continually trained and supervised to provide reliable, compassionate, and highly skilled services in companion, personal, and comprehensive care. Home care services are personalized for each client, and customized care plans are administered through a network of 234 locations. Each location is independently owned and operated by a franchisee. Services may vary by location. Certain locations solely provide nonmedical care services. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.homewatchcaregivers-us.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=husband-wife-franchise-owners-2731723" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.homewatchcaregivers-us.com</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.authoritybrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=husband-wife-franchise-owners-2731723" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.authoritybrands.com</a>.

Photo of Homewatch CareGivers franchise owners Michael and Joanne Fenner

Husband and Wife Franchise Owners Build a Caregiving Business Together with Homewatch CareGivers

1851 Franchise

Michael and Joanne Fenner turned their frustration into a shared passion for helping others, launching a Homewatch CareGivers franchise with plans to grow across Georgia and South Carolina.

This brand page has been paid for by HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS. 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

Why This Husband and Wife Team Left Retail to Build a Homewatch CareGivers Franchise

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahrahumecki/">Zahra Humecki</a>, the path to success in ownership has long been predicated upon the creation of a better life. After she immigrated to America in 1992, Humecki built a career in IT and software consulting until burnout began to set in. Seeking more control over her future and a way to do meaningful service in her community, Humecki connected with a franchise development professional to explore business ownership.“When I started 20 years ago, I worked in IT, consulting and building software. It was pretty rough. I was working 16 hours a day just coding. After five years, it burned me out. I decided I didn’t want to work with computers anymore. I wanted to do more service work and be part of the community,” Humecki said. “I worked with a woman from a franchise development background. She met with me, reviewed my resume and gave me a list of questions. She narrowed it from 100 types of businesses to 30, then to 10 and finally to five. That’s how I ended up gravitating toward home care.”Launching a&nbsp;<a href="https://homewatchfranchise.com/">Homewatch CareGivers</a> franchise in the northern suburbs of Chicago two decades ago would prove life-changing, giving Humecki greater control over her financial future. And branching out into multi-brand franchise ownership through another&nbsp;<a href="https://www.authoritybrands.com/">Authority Brands</a> concept,&nbsp;<a href="https://cleaningauthorityfranchise.com/">The Cleaning Authority</a>, has helped her build a legacy she can pass on to her children.&nbsp;<h2>Expanding Into a Second Brand</h2>Humecki’s decision to grow as a multi-unit franchise owner with Authority Brands wasn’t so much a pivot as it was the result of circumstance. More than a decade into running her&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/homewatchcaregivers/info">Homewatch CareGivers</a> franchise, a unique opportunity arose with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-cleaning-authority/info">The Cleaning Authority</a> that proved too good to pass up. After talking with her family, Humecki decided that expanding into a second brand sharing a similar customer base was the right next move.What she discovered in The Cleaning Authority was another brand built around a highly structured system. Already familiar with the level of support provided by Authority Brands, Humecki took the opportunity to grow as a multi-brand franchise owner.<h2>Support, Growth and a Multi-Brand Future</h2>Today, Humecki runs three Homewatch CareGivers territories and one The Cleaning Authority unit, employing more than 100 people through her franchise ownership.&nbsp;Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic as the owner of an in-home care franchise proved difficult. Adding to the challenge, Humecki opened a The Cleaning Authority unit early in 2020 as well. But strong support from Authority Brands made it all possible.“Both franchises have great support networks,” Humecki said. “If the support system wasn’t good, I wouldn’t do it. It’s challenging but manageable.”<h2>A Journey Marked by Independence and Opportunity</h2>Creating a new revenue stream by securing Medicaid certification for the Homewatch business, Humecki remains focused on further expansion as 2026 nears. Today, life as a multi-brand franchise owner delivers more than merely financial security, with Humecki able to end each work day fulfilled.Franchising didn’t just help Humecki ease the workplace burnout she was experiencing; it helped her grow a successful business she can pass on, giving her the rare luxury to step back and enjoy what she’s built.“I came to the U.S. in 1992 from another country. I had three jobs and worked hard. But franchising changed my financial situation. Being an owner makes me feel accomplished. I’ve built wealth and feel fulfilled,” Humecki said. “Now my kids are taking over, so I’m working less and focusing on coaching them. It’s a joy to see them grow and lead.”Ultimately, Humecki’s story shows that with persistence and clearly established priorities, franchising can make a difference on a number of levels. What began as a way to ease workplace burnout has evolved into a multi-brand franchise business that supports Humecki’s family, employees and community, while delivering a work-life balance which will allow her to step back from the business when that day nears. For Humecki, success in franchising isn’t defined by what she’s built, but by the fact that she can pass it on to the next generation with confidence and a foundation built to endure.&nbsp;

When her time in tech brought exhaustion, Humecki made the franchising pivot, growing a family-run operation through Homewatch CareGivers and The Cleaning Authority.

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Why This Husband and Wife Team Left Retail to Build a Homewatch CareGivers Franchise

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