Retirees Set to Bring Compassionate Home Care to Vancouver, Washington, with New Griswold Franchise

After decades spent serving others, Ken and Linda Hess — a retired financial advisor and a middle school teacher, respectively — are stepping into their new roles as business owners with Griswold, the non-medical home care franchise.

“After retiring, I found I had too much time on my hands,” said Ken. “Around the same time, several of our family members needed caregivers. That experience got me thinking about home care as a meaningful way to spend this next phase of our life.”

Drawing from personal experience caring for loved ones and a shared passion for giving back, they’re just weeks away from opening their first location in Vancouver, Washington. Their mission? To offer quality, compassionate care and build a legacy business their children and grandchildren can one day carry forward.

1851 spoke with the duo to learn more about their backgrounds, their journey to the Griswold brand and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Ken Hess: I spent about 30 years as a financial advisor, reaching the level of VP of Investments at Morgan Stanley and AG Edwards. After retiring, I found I had too much time on my hands. Around the same time, several of our family members needed caregivers. That experience got me thinking about home care as a meaningful way to spend this next phase of our life. I’ve also been very involved in volunteer work, including over 20 years with Scouting America — my youngest son is an Eagle Scout.

Linda Hess: I retired three years ago after more than 30 years as a middle school teacher, teaching fifth and seventh grade. Teaching is about making a difference in people’s lives, and I saw home care as a way to continue doing that. When some of our family members needed support, we realized just how important quality home care really is.

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?

Ken: I’ve owned several businesses before, all started from scratch. That meant a lot of trial and error. With home care, I wanted a road map. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes again, and franchising offered that proven system. It also helps that home care is such a strong, recession-resistant industry with a growing need every year.

Linda: Ken led most of the research, but when we visited Griswold, I immediately felt that sense of belonging I had missed since retiring from teaching. Their focus on taking care of both clients and caregivers was really meaningful to me. That vision and mission truly stood out.

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

Ken: When we attended Discovery Day, it felt like a family. Everyone had the same mindset we did — compassion, integrity and a true desire to help others. Funny enough, Linda is a distant cousin of the Griswold family, so the connection was there from the beginning!

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

Ken: Our goal is to build a legacy business. We want to pass it on to our children and grandchildren when the time comes. We have four children and three grandkids — we’d love for this to be something they grow into and expand in the years to come.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Linda: We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary as a couple this year, and we’ve always been a strong team. We’ve watched family members struggle without knowing home care was even an option. Whether it was recovery after surgery or ongoing support for a disability, we now realize there were better ways to help. We want to be part of that solution and make sure other families don’t have to go through the same thing.

Ken: I’ve actually been licensed as a part-time caregiver for a family member for the past three years, so I’ve already gotten a firsthand look at the need. Now, we’re ready to take what we’ve learned and serve the greater community.

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

Ken: Take your time and look at multiple options. I researched eight companies and spoke with over 15 franchisees. Every conversation taught me something valuable. Griswold had the right recipe for us.

Linda: Don’t be afraid to call other franchisees — they are a wealth of knowledge. And look for a brand that shares your values. It makes all the difference.

ABOUT GRISWOLD

With 196 locations across 31 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing professional, compassionate Caregivers 24/7. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness, or post-surgery recovery through services including companion care, home services, personal care, and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. In 2024, Griswold was ranked #206 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and named a 2023, 2024 and 2025 Best of Home Care® Endorsed National Provider. For more information, visit www.griswoldcare.com or call 215.402.0200.