From Nurse to Franchise Owner: Why Rhonda Arnold Is Bringing Seniors Helping Seniors® to the Twin Cities

America’s senior population is on the rise, with seniors set to make up nearly a quarter of the American population by 2050, swelling to a total of nearly 82 million people.

This makes the idea of in-home care services for seniors particularly important. Seniors Helping Seniors® approaches this via a unique franchising model, matching senior caregivers with senior receivers in an effort to provide not just quality care but companionship that enhances daily living, allowing seniors to remain in their own home living as independently as possible.

For new franchise owner Rhonda Arnold, entering the franchising fold with a new Seniors Helping Seniors® location in Woodbury, Minnesota, is personal. Arnold watched as her mother cared for her grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and eventually entered hospice for a three year stretch before she passed.

Drawing upon a business background and her work as a registered nurse, Arnold seeks to improve her local community, delivering quality care.

“I have six children, and we’ve lived in the Woodbury community and surrounding areas for more than 25 years,” Arnold said. “All my kids went to school here. I’ve done volunteer work in the schools and in the community, and I also volunteer with two other organizations: one focused on heart health and another that helps with basic needs. I’ve done a lot of community health work and giving back, and now I want to continue that in a new way locally.”

1851 Franchise sat down with Rhonda Arnold to discuss how her family history impacts her as a franchise owner and her desire to provide quality in-home care at the local level. Here’s what she had to say:

1851 Franchise: Can you frame your personal story for us a bit please? What do you want people to know about your journey?

Rhonda Arnold: My husband and I have raised our six children right here in the Woodbury area, where we’ve lived for more than 25 years. All my kids went to school here. I’ve done volunteer work in the schools and in the community, and I also volunteer with two other local organizations: one focused on heart health and another that helps with basic needs. I’ve done a lot of community health work and giving back, and now I want to continue that in a new way locally.

In terms of experience to make this dream come true,  I started my career as a registered nurse working in home care. In fact, I was a home health aid supporting seniors and children during my college years. Growing up with the support of a close-knit community inspired me to give back and make a meaningful impact.

One of the things that always struck me was the isolation I saw in my elderly patients.  They would always share they wanted to stay in their homes, but as they got more medically frail and families got busy and friends passed away, symptoms of isolation and depression set in.  While they always looked forward to my visits, I was always sad to leave because I knew they would be lonely after I left.  It is that knowledge and experience that has driven me back to home care.  I want to help alleviate the issues of isolation, depression and loneliness by providing an alternative for not only the client and caregivers, but the families juggling the various responsibilities of living in the “Sandwich Generation.”

1851: What made you decide franchising was the right fit for you?

Arnold:I was introduced to the opportunity of franchising through a random email at a time when I had been laid off.  I was looking for a new opportunity with stability, yet one I would find passion and love for at the same time. I was introduced to  Seniors Helping Seniors®  and I knew it was the right fit for me. I loved the model and the benefit it brings to the community

At Seniors Helping Seniors®, our goal is to match senior caregivers with senior clients. I see it  similar to a dating service for care. We match preferences and compatibility with support needs. We are not only serving our clients in their homes, we are nourishing a platform for purpose and meaning for our caregivers. This is why I chose Seniors Helping Seniors® . It is a wonderful model and mission-driven franchise.

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

Arnold: I interviewed several different franchise concepts through two brokers. Seniors Helping Seniors® stood out because of its mission and vision. It serves not only the clients but also the people who serve them. That just really spoke to me.

It’s important to me that caregivers aren’t just placed randomly. We struggled to find good caregivers for my grandmother, and that experience taught me how critical it is to match people well. When caregivers and clients don’t connect in age, interests or understanding, it creates challenges and contributes to the high turnover common in traditional home care. At  Seniors Helping Seniors® , we do not see that. Our caregivers find passion, connection and purpose in addition to a little extra spending cash.

1851: What are you hoping to achieve with your business and do you have a plan for growth?

Arnold: I live in Woodbury and will begin serving the Woodbury and Eagan areas, with plans to expand into Stillwater, northern Washington County, and west toward Roseville and St. Paul. This is a big opportunity to introduce a different model and expose the east side of the metro to what we offer. We have two locations on the west side in Minneapolis and one in the south, so this will be the brand’s first introduction on the east side.

1851: What advice do you have for people considering entering the franchising world?

Arnold: Do your homework. You’ve got to understand the company and its culture.

I attended the Seniors Helping Seniors® annual conference, and the sense of family, partnership, collaboration and support was remarkable. You could truly feel that everyone genuinely wants to help one another succeed.

It’s important to evaluate the support the franchise and its partners provide and how that can help you succeed. The one-on-one coaching and the camaraderie I experienced with the Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise were unmatched among the 10 I considered.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise ranges from $86,785 to $141,390. This includes $45,000 that must be paid to the franchisor. Please visit https://seniorshelpingseniorsfranchise.com/.

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/.