Ed Wilson spent more than 15 years working in commercial real estate and finance. As his career progressed, he began to look for a change that would allow him to use his management experience in a business with a stronger community focus.

That search led him to franchising, where he saw the benefit of operating within an established system while maintaining control over daily operations. After researching several options, Wilson chose Right at Home, an in-home care franchise with more than 750 locations. The company’s focus on dependable service and professional care aligned with his professional standards and personal goals.

Wilson now owns three Right at Home territories in the St. Louis area. He focuses on building strong operations, supporting his employees, and maintaining consistent, high-quality service for clients.

1851 Franchise spoke to Wilson about his journey and 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?

Ed Wilson: I was in a corporate finance role for about 15 years, specifically in commercial real estate. It was a great experience, but ultimately, I needed something else — something more fulfilling that would make an impact in the community and directly impact people’s lives. That was very important to me.

I also had entrepreneurship on my mind. At my old firm, I was a director of investor relations and talked to a lot of small business owners who had done really well for themselves. That seemed to be a recurring theme. I always knew at some point that I wanted to own my own business. I had no idea what it would be or what type of business. When I started that journey, I didn’t think I would get into in-home care, but the more I looked into it, it just checked all the boxes for me. The most important box was having that impact in the community and on individual lives. I found that to be so fulfilling — and here we are.

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?

Wilson: My thoughts on franchising were indifferent. Maybe there were some good ones and some bad ones out there. I wanted to find a franchise with a really good reputation, one that was best-in-class or a leader in its particular industry. I also wanted to find a franchise that shared the same core values I hold personally. Ultimately, I ended up with Right at Home, and it felt like the perfect fit.

As it relates to franchising in general, it’s always appealed to me. I’ve always been into processes and operations and like the idea of being able to stand on the shoulders of giants — to leverage other owners rather than starting from scratch. That was one of the biggest appeals to me: being able to use all the groundwork that had already been laid by other owners and the franchisor, to leverage their expertise, and to be part of a broader network instead of just opening my own home care business from the ground up. When I was introduced to Right at Home, it quickly became a reality. 

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

Wilson: It was the shared core values. Meeting the folks there and talking with them after exploring a lot of other businesses, I just felt those same values that I hold dear. I think they do a great job of displaying their core values, and they’re very genuine. They do what they say they will do and mean what they say, and that’s very important to me.

As I visited their corporate office and had numerous calls with the team, it became abundantly clear that it was a great fit for me. We just kept going down that path, and I’m very happy to have joined the network. I’m very thankful.

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

Wilson: I hope to achieve, first and foremost, best-in-class care for our clients and best-in-class support for our caregivers. I also want to provide that same level of care and support for our office staff — creating a culture where everyone enjoys coming to work.

I want it to be a positive and supportive environment, one that recognizes we’re all imperfect human beings and that it’s okay to make mistakes. My goal is to build a workplace where everyone involved in the business — clients, caregivers, and staff — feels happy, comfortable, and confident in the service and support we provide.

In terms of growth, I have three territories. My goal is to get the house in order first and to build from within and focus on establishing a strong foundation of systems and processes. No matter how big or small the business may be, I want to make sure the fundamentals are solid. That means documenting processes, ensuring everyone across the company knows their responsibilities, and clearly defining what success looks like for each role.

From there, I plan to build out with strong core values, a clear mission statement, and proven best practices — and to do those things very, very well. Once that foundation is solid, I’ll begin expanding into other markets with the overall goal of becoming the market leader in home care for the St. Louis area.

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

Wilson: I would say take your time and do your due diligence. Start by making a list of priorities of what really matters to you. Think about your lifestyle, the industry, the hours you want to work, and how much time you’re willing to dedicate. Start from within and map out what that looks like for you, what your ideal situation would be, and then find industries that check those boxes and align with that vision.

Make sure you do your homework and find franchisors that share your core values. Talk to other owners, too. The best insights I got during my research came from conversations with current franchisees. You quickly get a good sense of how supportive the franchisor is toward its owners. Then ask yourself if you see yourself in their shoes and if that aligns with what you want to do. So, take your time, do your due diligence, and connect with other owners in the network to make sure it’s the right fit for you.

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/.