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Right at Home Franchisee Donn Kramer's 10-Year Journey | 1851 Franchise

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Kramer pivoted to entrepreneurship after 40 years in the private sector, building a top-performing Cleveland agency by prioritizing caregiver quality, disciplined operations, and sustainable growth.

Corporate Leader Turned Successful Franchisee: Donn Kramer’s 10-Year Journey With Right at Home

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Why This Mother and Daughter Team are Opening a Right at Home Franchise Together in Janesville, Wisconsin

Right at Home Finishes 2025 Strong, Launches New Tech and Sets Sights on 2026 Franchise Growth

Right at Home Senior Care Franchise Expands In-Home Services Across St. Louis

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The Right at Home owner used lessons from disappointing workplace experiences to improve retention, grow across Iowa and create a culture built on accountability and respect.

Why Stephanie Humphries Built Her Business Around the Employees She Once Felt Like

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Long before she became a&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">Right at Home</a> franchisee in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rightathome.net/janesville">Janesville, Wisconsin</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-villa/">Katie Villa</a> had spent much of her adult life as a caregiver. She started in the field during college and continued in patient care after becoming a nurse. This past year, she took care of her grandfather during his end-of-life hospice care.&nbsp;“That was very eye-opening and really showed me the importance of having seniors age in their home and providing them that dignity,” she said. “And also having caregivers in the home who are compassionate and provide quality care.”Katie began looking into in-home care, including hospice nursing, as a possible next step. Around that time, she came across a newspaper article about&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/info">Right at Home</a> and sent it to her mom,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjovilla/">Mary Jo Villa</a>. Mary Jo encouraged her to learn more, and before long, she was interested in the opportunity, too.Mary Jo spent her career in human resources and operations for a group of newspapers and radio stations, where she held almost every seat except the newsroom. Now, she works for a large holding company, where she supports 20 different companies with benefits work.&nbsp;“When Katie saw this article and sent it to me, my first piece of pride was, ‘Yes, she's still reading the newspaper.’ But I told her we should absolutely explore it,” Mary Jo said. “I have been so impressed with Right at Home. They were clearly selecting us, and we were selecting them.”From the early discovery process through onboarding, the Villas were impressed with how much structure and support the brand provided. The training programs and ongoing business coaching gave them confidence in the business.&nbsp;“Katie's only 30 years old, and so yes, she has me, but you need someone other than your mom validating what your mom says,” Mary Jo said. “So I’ve been extremely impressed with the expertise coming out of Right at Home corporate&nbsp;and how they bring new owners on.”<h2>What It’s Like Working as a Family</h2>Working with your mom, or any family member, isn’t for everyone. It can often be polarizing, with some people not recommending it at all, and some not being able to recommend it enough. Katie and Mary Jo see their different strengths, and the time they spend together, as part of what makes the partnership work.“I never could have imagined doing this without my mom,” Katie said. “Obviously, her knowledge and her expertise, but also her support. I think that we're so fortunate to have a close relationship. I've watched her my entire life. She's been a boss my entire life and this really embodies that and being able to continue that legacy in our family.”For Mary Jo, one of the most rewarding parts has been watching Katie step into her own expertise. Katie oversees the caregiving and client side of the business, while Mary Jo handles operations and strategy, giving the two a natural division of responsibilities.“I'm here and highly involved and working, but Katie is the principal operator,” she said. “I've worked in family offices my whole life. You just draw those boundaries. There are the things that you're going to make a mutual decision on and there are the things that you say, ‘No, this is your decision’ or 'This is my decision.’ And then you don't second-guess each other.”Because their skill sets are so different, the partnership has been easier to navigate. Katie leads decisions around care plans and client relationships, while Mary Jo takes the lead on business systems and financial structure.“We enjoy being together and we laugh a lot. We believe in hard work, but we have fun. There's nothing that is so profound that it would affect our mother-daughter relationship,” Mary Jo said.&nbsp;<h2>How They Are Building a Presence in Janesville</h2>The Villas are building their business with a strong focus on their community. Having lived and worked in the area for decades, Mary Jo sees that as a major advantage.“I've been established in the community for almost 40 years,” she said. “We consider our entire family a part of this, even if they won't be employed, so to speak. Our whole family is going to be in T-shirts at events. We'll be out as a public face in the community.”As a young owner, Katie plans to stay involved and continue building both the client base and the caregiver network. She sees Right at Home as an opportunity to serve seniors and create opportunities for people in the community who want to step into caregiving roles.“I want to be able to be the go-to person in this community for both our clients, for the seniors, but also for our caregivers,” she said. “Whether you're a student, whether you've been a caregiver for your family, whether you're retired and looking to help out somebody in the community, I really want to encourage people and empower the caregivers to do those things and come up with creative ideas to help grow the business.”If you're interested in taking the next step in making a difference in your community as a Right at Home franchisee, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">https://rightathomefranchise.com/</a>.&nbsp;

Why This Mother and Daughter Team are Opening a Right at Home Franchise Together in Janesville

Katie Villa’s experience caring for her grandfather during hospice showed her the value of dignified in-home care and inspired a new chapter with her mother, Mary Jo.

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Right at Home Franchise Owner Stephanie Humphries to Share Journey From Physical Therapy to Multi-Unit Growth

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Right at Home Franchisees Awarded Franchisee Excellence Award by Franchise Business Review

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremystarkel/">Jeremy</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-starkel-941880112/">Kristen Starkel</a> built their careers in Omaha, but both came from smaller communities in rural Nebraska. Over time, they began thinking about what it would look like to return and build something in the places where they grew up, close to family, friends, and the people they knew best.“We were really drawn back to home,” Jeremy said. “This is where we were born and raised, where our friends and family are. We wanted to do something that would give back to the community and align with our skills and our passion, whether that was healthcare from a staffing standpoint or more hands-on patient care.”That decision led them to&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">Right at Home</a>, where they now operate five locations across northeast and central Nebraska, serving a wide range of rural and farm-based communities.<h2>Meeting a Real Need in Rural Markets</h2>Many residents in rural areas live miles from the nearest hospital or clinic, with limited options in some cases. This creates a real challenge for older adults who want to remain at home.“We serve a lot of the farm communities, the gravel roads, the cornfield areas of Nebraska where people don’t have access to care as much,” Jeremy said. “We don’t have a lot of nursing homes or hospitals in some of these areas, so people have to drive a long distance. It’s nice to be able to go to them and help them in their homes.”In many of these communities, home care is one of the only consistent options available, especially for seniors who are not ready or willing to relocate. That creates a steady, often urgent demand for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/info">Right at Home</a>. It also allows providers to step in as a reliable solution where other parts of the healthcare system may be harder to reach.“So it’s really rewarding to be able to give people that option,” Jeremy said. “There just aren’t a lot of choices out here, and if someone wants to stay home, we can help make that possible.”<h2>Overcoming Logistics and Building Scale</h2>Operating in rural markets comes with its own unique challenges. Travel distances are longer, hiring can take more time and scheduling requires flexibility across a wide geographic area.“It’s not unusual for someone to drive 45 minutes to an hour to get to a client,” Jeremy said. “We have to set that expectation upfront with our care staff. The clients are there and they need the care, but you might not have someone right next door, so you have to be willing to drive.”Having coverage in more remote areas can also be a challenge, especially when caregivers are not available nearby right away. But the team works to coordinate care as soon as possible, sometimes even collaboratively with other providers.&nbsp;“You might not have a caregiver in those areas already, so it can take a little bit of time to get care lined up,” Kristen said. “At the end of the day, we want to make sure the client gets taken care of one way or another.”<h2>The Advantage of Small-Town Trust</h2>Though it can be more logistically challenging in rural areas, these areas offer trust that’s usually difficult to replicate in larger markets. Reputation spreads quickly in small towns and relationships carry even more weight.&nbsp;“A lot of it is word of mouth,” Jeremy said. “If you have a good reputation in a small community, people talk. We’ve built trust over time by providing quality care, and people share their experiences with neighbors, friends, and family. That’s been a big driver of our business.”That has allowed the Starkels’ locations to expand without relying heavily on traditional advertising. New clients often come in having already heard about the brand from someone they trust.<h2>A Business That Feels Personal</h2>In rural markets, the work often feels more personal because of how closely connected communities are. Many clients are not strangers but people the Starkels and their team already know.“I’ve taken care of school teachers of mine, and we’ve worked with friends’ parents and grandparents,” Jeremy said. “When people need help, they already know we’re here and they know they can call us. That’s a really neat part of being in a small community.”The team also actively participates in local events, partners with organizations and volunteers their time to support the people they serve. That involvement helps strengthen relationships and keeps the business closely connected to the communities it serves.“We do a lot of volunteering and community involvement, whether it’s working with senior centers, partnering with the VA or helping with local fundraisers,” Kristen said. “We’ve been fortunate to be where we are, so we want to give back and be part of the community, not just operate a business in it.”<h2>Why Rural Markets Are Worth the Investment</h2>Rural markets may not always be the obvious choice for starting a franchise. Population size and geography can raise questions about scalability, but the Starkels’ experience shows that those concerns are often outweighed by opportunity.“When we were first looking at it, people might say a market like Norfolk, Nebraska isn’t big enough or doesn’t have the population to support it,” Jeremy said. “But I think we’re a testament that that’s not necessarily true. It’s really what you make of it.”In rural areas, where options can be limited, Right at Home provides a path for individuals to remain in their homes and communities. For many families, that option would not otherwise exist.“For a lot of people here, especially farmers, they don’t want to leave their homes,” Kristen said. “Being able to provide that option, to help them stay where they’re comfortable for as long as possible, is incredibly rewarding.”If you're interested in taking the next step in making a difference in your community as a Right at Home franchisee, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">https://rightathomefranchise.com/</a>.&nbsp;

From word-of-mouth referrals to gaps in care access, rural markets offer both purpose and long-term opportunity for home care providers.

Why Rural Areas Make Great Communities for Right at Home

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<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">Right at Home</a>, a franchise brand focused on in-home care services, ranked No. 5 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/top-low-under100k-ranking">Top Franchises Under $100,000</a> after climbing 10 spots from the previous year.The annual ranking highlights franchise systems that offer a lower initial investment threshold while still delivering strong brand support, growth potential and operational performance. Entrepreneur evaluates brands based on factors including costs and fees, franchisee support, brand strength, financial stability and growth trajectory.The ongoing success of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/info">Right at Home</a> is a result of its steady expansion and continuous investment in the tools and infrastructure that support its franchisees. The brand has made it a priority to keep system entry attainable while still delivering great performance at the unit level, a smart approach that has really connected with both new and seasoned operators.As more families look for in-home care options,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/right-at-home-franchise-resale-benefits-2731823#featured">Right at Home has room to keep growing</a> with franchise owners who share its focus on people and care.To view the full ranking, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/top-low-under100k-ranking?type=multisearch&amp;data1=randomize:false,rankId:tl100&amp;sort=f500&amp;sortMethod=global&amp;globalLimit=25">Entrepreneur’s Top Franchises Under $100,000 list</a>.If you're interested in taking the next step in making a difference in your community as a Right at Home franchisee, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">https://rightathomefranchise.com/</a>.

The in-home care franchise makes a significant jump thanks to strong system performance and a growing demand for senior care services.

Right at Home Ranks No. 5 on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Top Franchises Under $100,000 

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AMES, Iowa&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://rightathomefranchise.com">Right at Home</a>, the industry-leading in-home care franchise with more than 750 locations across the United States and four other countries, is targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/available-territories/franchise-opportunities-in-iowa/">Ames</a> for its next phase of strategic growth, with a focus on smaller communities and nearby rural areas where families often have fewer local care options. The brand plans to open 1 new unit across Ames, Marshalltown, Fort Dodge, and surrounding communities to meet the growing demand for in-home support for seniors and adults with disabilities who want to remain at home.For local entrepreneurs, the opportunity is clear: build a relationship-driven business in markets where assurance travels fast and dependable care can make an outsized impact. In many rural communities, families face longer drive times, limited provider choice, and fewer resources to help loved ones age in place.&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/rightathome/info">Right at Home’s</a> model is designed to help franchisees bring consistent, professional care closer to where people live while creating a resilient local business rooted in the community.“We see real opportunity in Ames. Families here need reliable care, and there are local leaders who want to step up and provide it,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennychaney/">Jennifer Chaney</a>, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development and Sales. “We’re excited to meet people who care about their community and want to build a business that makes a difference.”Right at Home enters 2026 after a steady year of development and progress. The company awarded 24 new territories in 2025 and completed 22 resales, with nearly 30 new offices opening across the country, many tied to territories sold in 2024. “It’s been a really fantastic year,” Chaney said. “Territory sales and resale activity have both been very consistent with years past. There haven’t been any curveballs or unforeseen circumstances that got us off track — it’s just been a solid, steady year for our system.”Ames presents a strong opportunity for in-home care services, with an 65+ aging population of 40,489, and 5,000 of those seniors being over the age of 85. A high percentage of aging adults, along with the growing desire for older Americans to age in place, presents a strong opportunity for in-home care services.Right at Home strengthened its franchisee tool kit in 2025 with major technology rollouts, including a systemwide Zoho CRM launch to support functions from client management to day-to-day scheduling, and a new Encapture partnership that produced a custom app to make daily operations easier by streamlining onboarding, training and document sharing. The brand also expanded family-facing support through RightAssist, a discreet monitoring bracelet and mobile app, and deeper involvement in Medicare’s GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) program to better serve families caring for loved ones with dementia.The company’s reputation for quality continues to be recognized across the franchise industry. Right at Home has been ranked on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list for the 23rd consecutive year and was named a 2026 Top 10 Senior Care Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine. The brand also received the Culture100 Award from Franchise Business Review and was named to Franchise Business Review’s 2026 Hall of Fame. In 2025, Franchise Business Review celebrated Right at Home with several major honors, including Top Overall Franchise, Most Profitable Franchise, and recognition for culture, veteran opportunities, and franchisee satisfaction.Right at Home is dedicated to helping seniors and adults with disabilities live independently through personalized in-home care. Its services range from companionship and personal care to assistance with everyday activities. Each locally owned office employs thoroughly screened and trained caregivers who are insured and committed to delivering peace of mind to the families they serve.“Our focus is on giving franchise owners the tools and guidance they need to thrive,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-hoskinson/">Mallory Hoskinson</a>, Senior Director of Growth and Engagement. “Whether it’s lead generation, operations, or long-term strategy, we’re here to help them build strong, lasting businesses.”To learn more about franchising with Right at Home, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">https://rightathomefranchise.com/</a>.ABOUT RIGHT AT HOMEFounded 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 780 franchise locations in the U.S. and five 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:&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/">https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/</a>.

Right at Home Targets Ames and Nearby Rural Communities for In-Home Care Growth

Backed by a 750-plus-unit system and momentum from 2025, the in-home care franchisor is focusing on smaller markets where seniors need reliable support close to home.

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MADISON, WI&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://rightathomefranchise.com">Right at Home</a>, the industry-leading in-home care franchise with more than 750 locations across the United States and four other countries, is targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/available-territories/franchise-opportunities-in-wisconsin/right-at-home-franchise-opportunity-in-madison-wi/">Madison</a> for its next phase of strategic growth, with a focus on smaller communities and nearby rural areas where families often have fewer local care options. The brand plans to open at least one new unit in Madison and surrounding communities to meet the growing demand for in-home support for seniors and adults with disabilities who want to remain at home.For local entrepreneurs, the opportunity is clear: build a relationship-driven business in markets where assurance travels fast and dependable care can make an outsized impact. In many rural communities, families face longer drive times, limited provider choice, and fewer resources to help loved ones age in place.&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/rightathome/info">Right at Home’s</a> model is designed to help franchisees bring consistent, professional care closer to where people live while creating a resilient local business rooted in the community.“We see real opportunity in Madison. Families here need reliable care, and there are local leaders who want to step up and provide it,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennychaney/">Jennifer Chaney</a>, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development and Sales. “We’re excited to meet people who care about their community and want to build a business that makes a difference.”Right at Home enters 2026 after a steady year of development and progress. The company awarded 24 new territories in 2025 and completed 22 resales, with nearly 30 new offices opening across the country, many tied to territories sold in 2024. “It’s been a really fantastic year,” Chaney said. “Territory sales and resale activity have both been very consistent with years past. There haven’t been any curveballs or unforeseen circumstances that got us off track — it’s just been a solid, steady year for our system.”Madison presents a strong opportunity for in-home care services. The area has an aging population of approximately 35,470 residents, with 16.8% of the total population age 65 or older. The presence of the University of Wisconsin and a large Veterans Affairs network also creates additional opportunities for care supported by Medicare and Medicaid programs.Right at Home strengthened its franchisee tool kit in 2025 with major technology rollouts, including a systemwide Zoho CRM launch to support functions from client management to day-to-day scheduling, and a new Encapture partnership that produced a custom app to make daily operations easier by streamlining onboarding, training and document sharing. The brand also expanded family-facing support through RightAssist, a discreet monitoring bracelet and mobile app, and deeper involvement in Medicare’s GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) program to better serve families caring for loved ones with dementia.The company’s reputation for quality continues to be recognized across the franchise industry. Right at Home has been ranked on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list for the 23rd consecutive year and was named a 2026 Top 10 Senior Care Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine. The brand also received the Culture100 Award from Franchise Business Review and was named to Franchise Business Review’s 2026 Hall of Fame. In 2025, Franchise Business Review celebrated Right at Home with several major honors, including Top Overall Franchise, Most Profitable Franchise, and recognition for culture, veteran opportunities, and franchisee satisfaction.Right at Home is dedicated to helping seniors and adults with disabilities live independently through personalized in-home care. Its services range from companionship and personal care to assistance with everyday activities. Each locally owned office employs thoroughly screened and trained caregivers who are insured and committed to delivering peace of mind to the families they serve.“Our focus is on giving franchise owners the tools and guidance they need to thrive,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallory-hoskinson/">Mallory Hoskinson</a>, Senior Director of Growth and Engagement. “Whether it’s lead generation, operations, or long-term strategy, we’re here to help them build strong, lasting businesses.”To learn more about franchising with Right at Home, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/">https://rightathomefranchise.com/</a>.ABOUT RIGHT AT HOMEFounded 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 780 franchise locations in the U.S. and five 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:&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/">https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/</a>.

Right at Home Targets Madison and Nearby Rural Communities for In-Home Care Growth

Corporate Leader Turned Successful Franchisee: Donn Kramer’s 10-Year Journey With Right at Home

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