Right at Home Franchisee Delivers Compassionate In-Home Care to Central Virginia

Tyler Saeli, a former investment manager with a deep understanding of health care services, chose to franchise with Right at Home* because of the brand’s structure, support and values. After years of working with health care companies ranging from insurance providers to senior living facilities, Saeli recognized the growing demand for home care and wanted to bring his expertise to his local community in Charlottesville, Virginia. His decision to franchise came after an extensive evaluation process that emphasized transparency and validation.

"The validation process at Right at Home was exceptional," Saeli said. "I spoke with several franchisees, and everyone was generous with their time and honest about their experiences. They all seemed like people I’d want to spend time with and rely on for support and advice." Saeli was impressed not only by the openness of the current franchisees but also by Right at Home’s rigorous vetting process, which ensures that every franchisee shares a commitment to the brand’s high standards.

Saeli’s background in health care and investment management makes Right at Home a natural fit. He values the franchise model for providing a proven framework while allowing him to add his personal touch. "The Right at Home get-to-know-you process is, I believe, very robust and helpful," he said. Today, Saeli operates two territories in Virginia — Albemarle County and the Shenandoah Valley — focusing on building a strong culture for caregivers and delivering high-quality service to clients.

1851 Franchise recently sat down with Saeli to talk about his franchising journey with Right at Home and his plans for the future. 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?

Tyler Saeli: I graduated from the University of Virginia in 2007. I absolutely loved my time at UVA and in Charlottesville and had always hoped to move back. After graduating, I got into finance, working two years in investment banking in New York. Then I moved to Boston, where I lived from 2009 through 2021, working as an investment manager focused exclusively on health care services and providers. My work involved investing in and collaborating with companies ranging from health insurance to hospitals, senior living and home health care.

In 2021, my family and I moved to Charlottesville — my wife and our three daughters, all under six years old. At that time, I was still an investment manager but realized I wanted to do something more hands-on and fulfilling for my community. I decided to leave investment management, taking time to consider my next steps. Home care is a space I know well from my investing days and I began exploring home franchising. Given my familiarity with health care businesses, I saw an opportunity to apply what I had learned in a way that allowed me to craft a company culture focused on client service and community impact. Franchising made sense because it provided a proven system while allowing us to put our personal mark on the business.

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?

Saeli: I hadn’t spent much time thinking about franchising before this, although the thought had crossed my mind from time to time over the years. Having said that, I never imagined I would end up as a franchise owner, but overall I didn’t have either a positive or negative opinion on franchising going into my exploration phase. There’s a wide variety of franchise models, from small mom-and-pop franchise operations to large, publicly traded companies managing hundreds of locations. What I appreciated about franchising was the structure it offered. The lines are painted for you; you just need to run as hard as you can within those lines and treat your teammates well.

I worked with excellent franchise broker,  Makayla and Jared Seger, who were very understanding, collaborative and helped me consider various opportunities. Franchising provided the support and guidance I needed, especially in a regulated industry like home care, where compliance can be complex. It also allowed me to focus on delivering exceptional service rather than reinventing the wheel.

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

Saeli: A good friend’s brother and business partner are large operators within Right at Home, and I had the chance to spend a lot of time learning from him. That insight was helpful, but I also didn’t want it to bias me just because I knew someone already in the franchise. The “get to know you” process with Right at Home was robust and thorough, which made me feel comfortable choosing them. 

The validation process at Right at Home was exceptional. I spoke with quite a few franchisees and everyone was generous with their time and honest about their experiences. I really enjoyed the validation process, and it surprised me how willing to speak and forthcoming existing owners were taking a call from essentially a random stranger. It helped me realize the supportiveness and tight knit nature of the Right at Home Ownership group. This transparency was reassuring, and the rigorous vetting process stood out. It’s clear Right at Home protects its brand and builds a strong network of owners who support each other. That sense of community and shared learning really sealed the deal for me.

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

Saeli: Our immediate goal is to grow within our two territories, which include Albemarle County and parts of the Shenandoah Valley. We’ve been open for about a month and a half and are already serving clients and hiring caregivers. I have personally spent a lot of time ensuring that we are running a tight operation and that our systems and processes are functioning smoothly, which will allow us to scale.  Our home office is in Charlottesville, and we’re working to build relationships within the community.

Over time, we shall see. We’re focused on getting more involved in local organizations and partnerships, such as the various senior centers in Charlottesville, the Chamber of Commerce and other neighborhood associations. We’re still hiring and building out our office team to support this growth.

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

Saeli: We are deeply committed to improving the lives of both our clients and caregivers. Caring for our caregivers is a priority for us. We’ve created a supportive culture where they can build long-term opportunities. For example, we offer paid time off, which is uncommon in this industry, along with other incentive programs.

Our philosophy is that taking good care of our caregivers ensures better service for our clients. It helps reduce turnover, which is essential for providing consistent care. Ultimately, this focus on people is at the heart of everything we do.

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

Saeli: Finding a great franchise broker is invaluable. The good ones aren’t pushy and can help you think through what you’re truly looking for. Even if you think you know, they might help you uncover other possibilities.

I also believe you need to be fully committed, especially in home care. Your heart has to be in it, and you have to be ready to work hard. Starting this business has meant late nights and long hours, but I enjoy it because I’m building something scalable and impactful.

Finally, take the time to research and validate your choice. Talk to other franchisees and learn from their experiences. The support network within a franchise can shorten your learning curve and help you avoid common mistakes. That kind of shared knowledge and collaboration is one of the greatest benefits of franchising.

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 700 franchise locations in the U.S. and four other countries. For more information about Right at Home, visit https://www.rightathome.net/ or read the Right at Home blog at https://www.rightathome.net/blog/.

To learn more about Right at Home of Charlottesville, Virginia, please visit https://www.rightathome.net/charlottesville.