Corporate Leader Channels Family Values Into Senior Care Franchise Ownership With Seniors Helping Seniors®

Mayank Srivastava spent more than two decades in the corporate world, always drawn to roles where he could make a difference. But in recent years, he started feeling the weight of that world and began looking for something more meaningful and personal. That search led him and his wife Richa to Seniors Helping Seniors®, a franchise that checked every box: community-focused, mission-driven and rooted in care.

For Srivastava, this business isn’t just about making money; it’s about giving back. Growing up in a close-knit, multi-generational household in India, he saw the value of caring for elders firsthand. Seniors Helping Seniors® gave him a way to bring that value to life in his own community, offering meaningful support to older adults who deserve respect and connection in their later years.

Now, he’s working to build something that can grow beyond a side project. With a long-term plan to leave corporate life behind, Srivastava is focused on serving more seniors, building trust through quality care, and turning this new chapter into a lasting legacy for his family and community.

1851 Franchise spoke to Srivastava about his franchise journey and plans for the future. Here’s what he had to say.

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

Mayank Srivastava: I’ve been in the corporate world for about 25 years. One consistent theme throughout my career has been working for mission-driven organizations. There’s always been a purpose behind the work. The company I currently work for is called Oportun. We serve people who are underserved by traditional financial institutions. We help them build credit and access the financial mainstream. That kind of motivation — being able to serve and help society — has always been part of my professional journey.

In the past two or three years, though, there’s been a lot of stress in the corporate world. So we started thinking, “How can we reduce that stress while still working toward a mission?” That’s when we considered owning our own business. A franchise consultant reached out and asked if we’d be interested. I told him our goals, and he proposed a few options. We were drawn to Seniors Helping Seniors® because of the impact it makes, especially on seniors who have given so much to society. We feel it’s now our turn to give back and show them the respect they deserve.

So this business gives us a way to express our gratitude while also meeting our financial goals. That, in a nutshell, is what motivated us.

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?

Srivastava: I kind of had this fairy-tale expectation, like buying furniture from IKEA. You get a box, follow the instructions and it's all set up. What I’ve realized is that there’s actually a lot of groundwork involved. The more effort you put in upfront, the faster your business gets off the ground, and the more likely you are to succeed.

It’s not a plug-and-play system. You have to work hard to make it happen. That was definitely a surprise for me.

But on the flip side, going the franchise route instead of starting from scratch gives you a proven business model. There’s already a track record of success. Your success is in your hands — you have to operate it well, but you’re not building it from the ground up with all the uncertainty that comes with that.

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

Srivastava: Seniors deserve our time, attention, and service. They’ve spent their lives making the world better for us. This brand gives us a chance to give back and show our gratitude. That really resonated with us.

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

Srivastava: We want to serve as many seniors as possible in our territory — that’s the mission. We hope to provide such great service that they become advocates for us and we grow through referrals.

Financially, we believe that if we get the mission part right, the financial success will follow. Right now, both of us are splitting time between this and our corporate roles, but our goal is to go full-time with the business in a year or so.

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

Srivastava: I grew up in India in a joint family — my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents — all in one house. By Western standards, it would’ve been considered crowded, but it never felt that way because there was so much love and respect across generations.

Being close to my grandparents and great-grandparents taught me the value of caring for elders. That’s one of the core values I’ve carried with me, and part of the reason we were drawn to Seniors Helping Seniors®. Even though these clients aren’t my grandparents, they’re in that same stage of life and now I get to be there for them.

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

Srivastava: Be ready for the hustle. Yes, it’s a proven business model, and many franchisees succeed, but not all do. The fundamentals don’t change: your success is driven by your effort, your dedication to the mission and how smartly you operate.

You also have to differentiate yourself. There are other providers in the territory, so you need to research how they price, what they offer and how you can stand out. Look for opportunities to partner with synergistic businesses and exchange leads. That kind of strategy can help grow your brand and expand your reach.

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 400 territories nationwide and over 200 franchise partners in 37 states. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/.