IT Leader Becomes Senior Advocate with Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Fresno, California

Susan Delaney spent 25 years working in the corporate IT sector, where her passion for leading and bringing people together became the highlight of her career. But when she realized she wanted more purpose in her life, she stepped away from the corporate world to start her own business. After researching various franchise opportunities, including yoga studios and drain cleaning services, she found herself continuously drawn to the mission of Seniors Helping Seniors®, the in-home senior care franchise. 

“My grandmother was very active in the community and my hero growing up, but when she developed Alzheimer's, the only option at the time was to place her in a nursing home,” said Delaney. “I believe in-home care would have allowed her to stay with us longer, and that’s something I want to provide for other families."

Inspired by her grandmother, Delaney now plans to open three units of the senior care franchise in the Greater Fresno area of California, with a goal to hire 100 seniors within the next year and make a meaningful impact in her community.

Delaney spoke with 1851 Franchise to discuss her franchising journey with Seniors Helping Seniors® and her plans for the future.

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

Susan Delaney: After spending 25 years in the corporate IT world, I realized that the part I loved most was bringing people together, uniting them behind common goals, and creating a supportive environment where they could succeed. I wanted to do that but align it with a desire to make a direct impact on people’s lives so I decided to start my own business to bring these two passions together. 

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?

Delaney: I knew franchising was the way to go because I was entering a completely new field and needed the support and community that franchising offers. I explored a variety of franchises, from yoga studios to drain cleaning businesses, but senior care kept coming back to me. After speaking to various brands in the home care space, Seniors Helping Seniors® really stood out.

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

Delaney: Everything about the brand stood out — their mission, what they do and the way everyone is committed to the mission.. The idea of helping seniors stay independent in their homes by leveraging an untapped senior workforce was a win-win story for me. It also resonated deeply because of my grandmother. She was very active in the community and my hero growing up, but when she developed Alzheimer's, the only option at the time was to place her in a nursing home. I believe in-home care would have allowed her to stay with us longer, and that’s something I want to provide for other families.

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

Delaney: I’ve set a goal to hire 100 seniors in the next 12 months. From there, I want to build a real community of care with those seniors and help as many seniors as possible live independently. My aim is for us to become a household name in the Central Valley.

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

Delaney: One of the things that drew me to this business is that I love hearing people’s stories, and I get to do that every day now. Seniors, whether they are caregivers or clients, have the best stories, and they love to share them.

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

Delaney: You really need to look at what you’ll be doing every day. The numbers and mission are important, but can you see yourself doing the work every day? You need to have a heart for it because it’s going to be hard at times.

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 Kiran moved to the U.S. in 1995 and married 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 homecare 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, 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com.