Right at Home

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-wilson-00274729/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=right-at-home-franchisee-edward-wilson-st-louis-2730616" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ed Wilson</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=right-at-home-franchisee-edward-wilson-st-louis-2730616" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Right at Home</a>, 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/info">Right at Home</a> 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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Wilson:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Wilson:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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 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 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:&nbsp;<a href="https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=right-at-home-franchisee-edward-wilson-st-louis-2730616" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/</a>.&nbsp;

image Edward Wilson right at home  owner and franchisee in St. Louis

Former Finance Executive Finds Purpose With Right at Home

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After 15 years in corporate finance, Ed Wilson traded spreadsheets for service — building a thriving Right at Home business in St. Louis that puts people and purpose first.

Former Finance Executive Finds Fulfillment in Caring for Others Through Right at Home

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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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<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.

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Former Finance Executive Finds Fulfillment in Caring for Others Through Right at Home

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