Stepping Into North Jersey: Two Clinicians Take the Lead at Right at Home

After decades in hospitals, medical offices and hands-on caregiving roles, Cassy Sullivan and Mary Wagner both felt the same shift in health care: it was becoming rushed, transactional, and too focused on the bottom line. With personal experience supporting loved ones through Alzheimer’s and dementia, they knew how essential compassionate, reliable home care really is.

For Sullivan, a longtime nurse and existing Right at Home* franchise owner in Virginia, the brand had already proven to be the best way to deliver meaningful, client-centered care. Wagner, who spent 25 years in medical office leadership and worked closely with Sullivan at Right at Home, saw ownership as the natural next step after experiencing the strength of the franchise’s support system firsthand. So when the opportunity arose to take over Right at Home North Jersey, the longtime colleagues knew it was the right move.

When they took over the North Jersey office on October 19, Sullivan and Wagner dove right into learning what families in the area needed most. Drawing on their clinical backgrounds and years of working side-by-side, they’re focused on strengthening skilled services, improving support for veterans and making sure clients receive care that feels personal rather than rushed.

Sullivan and Wagner sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss their franchising journey with Right at Home and the experience they’ve brought to the brand. Here’s what they had to say:

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

Cassy Sullivan: I’ve been a nurse for almost 30 years and have always been in health care and home care. Even when I was in high school, I volunteered at nursing homes. Before becoming a nurse, I was a home health aide, just like our caregivers are now. The reason I originally got involved with Right at Home was that a friend who owned a franchise told me not to open my own business, but to look into a franchise for the built-in support.

Mary Wagner: My experience is very similar to Cassy’s. I've been in the medical field for about 25 years, running offices and doing clinical work. I decided to start looking for a different path when I noticed everything was changing to be more about the bottom dollar and less about patient care. I also came to home care with a personal perspective, as I was dealing with in-laws who both have dementia and Alzheimer's. When this opportunity came knocking, I knew I wanted to do something that was worth something and was a different direction.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Sullivan: I had spent about 20 years working at a hospital, but the hospital environment changed, and I didn't feel like I could spend as much time at the bedside or provide the care I used to. I ultimately decided I wanted to do something where I was making a difference. I decided to go with franchising because the support system is essential. For example, during COVID, I wouldn't have known how to handle all the regulations on my own.

Wagner: I became the office manager for Right at Home after deciding I needed a change. I knew Right at Home made sense because the amount of support you get through the franchise is amazing. It was just so much easier to have the training and support, especially being new to it.

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?

Sullivan: I really didn't know what it was. I had to weigh whether I wanted to give up a percentage of the business income to another agency. The reason I ultimately decided to do it was the support. They keep up with all the new regulations and documentation, which saves a lot of work. Now, I want people to know that I wish I had done it a long time ago because it's not that difficult, especially when you have the support.

Wagner: I had no clue about franchising. Now, I want people to know that the amount of support you get through Right at Home is amazing. To me, as someone new to it, it’s fantastic.

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

Sullivan: I picked Right at Home because I just felt that they were so warm and inviting when I talked to them. They also offered the opportunity to do skilled care, which is more nursing than just home care, and I knew one day I might want to do that.

Wagner: I decided to become an owner after coming to Cassy and asking, "What are the chances one of the owners would sell to me?" I knew I wanted to do something, and when Cassy wanted to do it with me, I knew we would be okay.

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

Sullivan: I really like that there is a lot of state oversight in the New Jersey territory, which helps you provide better care for clients. I want to focus on the veterans in the community because I feel they are very underserved, and I think that would be an excellent way for us to focus on growing.

Wagner: I like the area and think there are a lot of people that need help, from the elderly to the VA. I'd like to see us head in a direction not just for the VA, but also for skilled nursing, as I think there's a big demand for it here.

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

Sullivan: I'm a big advocate for being an entrepreneur and doing it for yourself. There's no more satisfaction than being your own boss and getting the rewards of working hard. I would always suggest a franchise to anybody who would ask because of the support.

Wagner: I agree with Cassy. I just think you can't ask for something better than the support you get from a franchise.

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

Sullivan: The partnership has been in place for a while. We were really partners before the ownership. I have a compact license and was working in the office when the original owners needed a nurse; I came up to help and never left. In my personal life, I’m an avid ballroom dancer and poker player, with a dream of getting into the World Series of Poker.

Wagner: Cassy and I have been working side-by-side right along. I have triplet boys who are 26, one is married, and I have a new grandbaby. I love to line dance. I knew Right at Home was the right move because I had been looking for care for my in-laws who have Alzheimer's and dementia, and I knew there was a need.

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 750 franchise locations in the U.S. and four other countries.

If you're interested in taking the next step in making a difference in your community as a Right at Home franchisee, visit http://rightathomefranchise.com or to read more about franchise ownership, visit our blog at: https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/.