How His Own Family Experience Led This Accounting Manager to Become a Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise Owner

After a successful career as a controller and accounting manager, Colton Coppersmith decided it was time for a change. Coppersmith was determined to become his own boss and make an impact in his community. When he discovered Seniors Helping Seniors®, the decision felt right. His personal experiences watching his mom navigate retirement and caregiving responsibilities played a significant role in his choice.

“My mom’s retired, so I see what she’s going through being retired and looking for meaningful work,” said Coppersmith. “I understand the caregivers and the caregivers and what I’ll be looking for well.  I know there’s a population out there that — just like my mom was when she retired — is looking for rewarding employment. It was a good fit for me personally. I was finally at a point financially that I could go into business on my own.”

With a focus on providing dignified job opportunities for active seniors and supporting families in need, Coppersmith aims to grow his Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise in Knoxville, Tennessee, thoughtfully. 

Coppersmith sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss his journey into franchising, his goals, and what excites him about his new venture. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Colton Coppersmith: I was a controller for a shared services company out of Texas. And before that, I was an accounting manager with a multi-level direct sales corporation which ceased operations and was subsequently purchased by the shared services company. 

I decided to get into franchising because I wanted to be able to more directly influence my own success and happiness. I was looking at various opportunities, and Seniors Helping Seniors® was the one that struck me, personally, as the best. My mother is retired, so I see what she goes through as she navigates this new chapter in her life.  I know there’s a population out there that — just like my mom was when she retired — is looking for employment that provides opportunities of flexibility and fulfillment. I thought it was a good fit for me personally; I was finally at a point financially; I could go out in business on my own.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Coppersmith: I mostly thought of fast-food and restaurants when I thought of franchising. I didn’t really know there was as diverse a market out there as there is for non-restaurant franchises. Obviously, there are pros and cons, but the good thing about franchising is you can utilize the expertise from somebody else that knows the recipe to get that product out there.

In addition, they’re there to help adjust and help you fit your market. Having that support is monumental, I believe, for somebody that’s starting a business for the first time.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Coppersmith: My whole personal story with my mom — her retiring but still seeking to keep active. I also watched her while I was in college. She was the caregiver for my grandmother while my grandmother was at home and saw the challenges of her working with her brothers and in-laws to find the right care and also still be able to find time to visit her in the home for all of them. And at that time, it was my grandfather and my grandmother that were in the home together. If Senior Helping Seniors had been available, they would have had more options and could have delayed the need to go into a home for several years.

In addition, the market is great. There are many active seniors that are looking for dignified and rewarding employment. Seniors Helping Seniors provides a service that people genuinely need, and it allows them to network, get out there, and meet and care for people in the community. 

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Coppersmith: I hope to have around 40 customers at the end of the first year of operations. I want to manage the growth though and take it somewhat slow at first, just until I have enough employees to really ensure we are providing an excellent attentive service and environment to our customers and employees. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Coppersmith: We recently moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, to be closer to my mom, who is retired and living here. At the time, I was working remotely, which made the move easy. I love being in the mountains while still having access to lakes — something I’m used to, coming from Michigan. We’re big dog lovers and have three dogs. Being surrounded by nature and having my family nearby has been a great bonus.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Coppersmith: Try to find something you think you can do on your own. You’ll have support but look for something you’re confident you can handle. The franchisor will give you a recipe to make it even better. There are so many options out there, so find something that strikes a personal chord — it’ll probably make you a better salesperson if you enjoy it or feel passionate about it. Don’t rule out options right away; take some time to vet each one and see how you feel before saying no. My thoughts changed a lot throughout the process, and yours might too.

ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS®

Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise system was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked to advance humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa. After moving to the U.S. in 1995 and marrying her husband Philip, the Yocoms felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding home care provider in the U.S., Seniors Helping Seniors® locations stand apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors® service aligns caregivers and care recipients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors® network has grown to 200-plus locations and over 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/.