Dan Tifft, a Navy veteran and former corporate marketing professional, recently purchased the Right at Home franchise in Hampton Roads, Virginia. With a deep connection to seniors, inspired by his 100-year-old grandfather’s experience with in-home care, Tifft found his calling in senior care. Combining his entrepreneurial spirit, leadership experience and passion for service, Tifft aims to expand Right at Home’s high-quality care in his local community, serving seniors and veterans alike.

"Right at Home really believes in the mission of improving lives, and they’re incredibly supportive,” said Tifft. “One of the biggest challenges our generation faces is how to provide quality care for the aging population, and Right at Home has been a leader in that for over 30 years. The support they provide, along with a large number of other successful owners, made me feel confident that I can succeed."

1851 Franchise spoke with Tifft to learn more about his story, his journey to franchising and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Dan Tifft: I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and spent several years with Teach for America. I also taught English in Puerto Rico, where I met my wife. Eventually, I became interested in business and leadership and took a marketing role with what is now Keurig. I spent about 10 years in the coffee industry. 

I’m also a Navy supply officer in the Navy Reserves, having served both active duty and reserves in the Virginia Beach area. What I missed from my Navy career was the sense of serving others. I started looking for something that allowed me to care for people, and senior care really jumped out to me. I love talking to seniors — my grandfather just turned 100, and caregivers made a huge difference in our ability to spend time with him. That experience made me realize the importance of high-quality in-home care, and I wanted to bring that to my community.

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?

Tifft: In corporate America, I was happiest when I worked with brands and small businesses. I loved the entrepreneurial aspect and working with inspirational people, which gave me the entrepreneurial bug. My military background also influenced me, especially leading my own teams. When I decided to buy a business, I knew the importance of branding from my time in marketing, and that’s why I went with a franchise.

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

Tifft: Right at Home really believes in the mission of improving lives, and they’re incredibly supportive. One of the biggest challenges our generation faces is how to provide quality care for the aging population, and Right at Home has been a leader in that for over 30 years. The support they provide, along with a large number of other successful owners, made me feel confident that I can succeed.

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

Tifft: Our plan is to provide excellent care for our current clients and ensure that seniors in the area know they have a reliable partner. The business already has a solid reputation and we plan to build on that. We’re veteran-owned, and we want the community and our partners to know that we’re here to help.

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

Tifft: I have a soft spot for fellow veterans. Having lived in Puerto Rico, I also speak Spanish and I recognize that the Latino community here is underserved. We’re excited to serve all members of our community.

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

Tifft: Talk to as many people as you can, both within the franchise you’re exploring and competitors. Understand each brand’s reputation, talk to caregivers and get their perspective because they are the heart of this business. It’s important to gather insights from both owners and the people working in the field.

Learn more about franchising with Right at Home: https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/.

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 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: https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/.