After 25 Years in Corporate Technology, Right at Home Franchisee Combines Professional Expertise with Passion for Providing Care

Nikhil Chauhan spent 25 years in corporate technology for healthcare and other mission-critical sectors, taking on roles in product management, digital management and digital transformation. His decision to pursue franchising, specifically with Right at Home, stemmed from a desire to merge his professional experience with his passion for making a meaningful impact on the community — something he describes as the “double bottom line.”

"For me, personally, the franchise venture isn't just about business. It's about that transformative journey to make a profound impact on the lives of our clients, our community and families," Chauhan said. 

When selecting a franchise, Chauhan sought a stable, proven system with a reputable history and something that would provide him with a fulfilling sense of purpose. He has found all of that and more with Right at Home.

1851 Franchise spoke with Chauhan to learn more about his journey into franchising with Right at Home 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?

Nikhil Chauhan: I reached a point where I had spent 25 years in corporate technology. My journey has been a combination of corporate tech roles. I’ve done product management, digital management and digital transformation, propelling B2B companies towards profitable growth and value realization. This experience was also coupled with recognition as a top thought leader by Thinkers 360 in some technology areas like IoT, Digital twins, Predictive Analytics, Cloud, and Climate Change. I have worked in mission-critical sectors like Healthcare with companies like Cisco, GE, and Hitachi.

My reason for pursuing Right at Home was rooted in a desire to marry my professional experiences with my passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of the community. I call this the “double bottom line,” which means achieving meaningful outcomes in terms of financial success and positive impact on the well-being of individuals.

My personal experiences — such as caring for my grandfather and being separated from my father during his recovery from major surgeries in India — underscored the significance of dignified, comfortable, professional in-home care services. Right at Home embodied all those values. My commitment aligned perfectly with the ethos of Right at Home, particularly their values of exceptional service and integral care. These really resonated with me.

That’s why I was eager to channel my passions, skills and dedication into Right at Home, so we can deliver exceptional care and become the trusted partner of choice for those who need it. For me, personally, the franchise venture isn't just about business. It's about that transformative journey to make a profound impact into the lives of our client, our community and to the families. 

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?

Chauhan: I think my perception of a franchise was that it is a business with guardrails. You have established processes and a team that has replicated success multiple times. But I wanted to own this because of self-dependence and my desire to reach financial freedom. I wanted a meaningful, purposeful mission. I also wanted more control over my time. I think people should realize that if you go and do things on your own, you do not have the backing of a known corporate entity that can understand and guide you with best practices.

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

Chauhan: My criteria for selecting a franchise were essentially a few key factors. First, I wanted a stable, tried-and-proven system — a company that has been doing well for a while and has a history of good reputation, branding and reliability. Second was the net profitability aspect. I didn’t want to just break even; I wanted to know how quickly I could break even and understand the return on investment criteria.

I also wanted a franchise with a meaningful purpose and mission. I’ve always viewed health care as a very good sector — it has a powerful purpose behind it, is somewhat recession-proof and excites me from a technological standpoint. Additionally, I believe it has a very meaningful mission.

Finally, I wanted to be associated with a top brand — something best in class, trusted and credible. My vision was to find a scalable, replicable system. I wanted to think big and focus on scalability and vision. All these criteria resonated with Right at Home.

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

Chauhan: I do have plans for the future. I’m looking at this from both a financial standpoint and the impact I can deliver in the community. From a business standpoint, in year one, we are looking to achieve a set number of weekly hours of client care. This means we must focus on hiring the right team, taking care of them and retaining them. Then, it's about both clients and caregivers, as they are the two main audiences we serve. Overall, our goals are centered on fostering our team, acquiring clients and caregivers and meeting the target number of service hours.

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

Chauhan: At the core of my journey, growing up in India, I cared for my grandfather. One aspect of what I bring is the integration of over 25 years of corporate expertise with heartfelt empathy. My aim is to ensure that, regardless of the circumstance, providing dignified, independent living [to clients] within the sanctuary of their homes is critical. Bringing industry expertise and best practices to focus on a quality-first business model is essential to me.

Having gone through personal experiences myself, my passion truly resonates, and this endeavor is a personal commitment and pledge. It’s a promise to advocate for dignified, personalized in-home care. I am committed to caring for each client just as I would if they were my own family members. My dedication to delivering a double bottom line impact is central to my mission. 

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

Chauhan: Be open to the possibility. Do research and talk to as many people as possible. Start at a high level and then zoom in on what really resonates with you. By that, I mean look at all the industries you're passionate about and have conversations with a franchise broker who can help guide your journey and decision-making.

Look at different sectors and focus on the ones that resonate with you. Talk to as many players as you can, including other franchisors and competitive franchises. When you get the chance, especially during the Discovery Day process, take time to talk to as many owners as possible to get a wide variety of perspectives. Don't make a decision right away; there's no need to say yes early on. Take your time to qualify the franchises at every step and then zoom in on the ones that resonate with you.

Have Discovery Days with a few companies, and make your decision based not just on financial considerations but also on how aligned you are with the company's vision, the talent of the executive team, the support system for franchisees and the level of camaraderie among the owners. You need the support of other owners as well as the corporate team. Take it one day at a time and understand that this process will take a while. Be prepared to do your due diligence and spend quality time assessing if this is truly your cup of tea.

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. 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/.