Transitioning from military service to business ownership is a challenge many veterans face. For Ted Pease, it was a natural evolution of his commitment to service. After a decade as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, he leveraged his leadership skills to build a successful Right at Home franchise.
Pease recently sat down with 1851 Franchise’s Nick Powills on an episode of the “Meet the Franchisee” podcast to share his franchising journey, which began with a desire for entrepreneurship. While teaching ship handling during a shore-based tour, Pease earned an MBA. With a young family, immediate business ownership wasn’t practical, so he pursued a corporate career. However, the bureaucracy of large corporations frustrated him, reigniting his desire to own a business.
Through the Greater Philadelphia Veteran Business Referral Network (VBRN), Pease connected with a former college roommate who had started a home care business and met Brian Beers, a multi-unit franchisee. Exploring franchise opportunities, he realized he wanted a people-focused business with a strong service component, leading him to Right at Home.
“We’re 19 months in. In our first six months, we grew about 20%, followed by another 20-25% the next year,” Pease said. “We’ve doubled our caregivers and clients and added two more office staff. The biggest challenge is building trust. It takes a year of networking before people refer clients to us, and when they do, we have to deliver exceptional service to maintain that trust.”
One of the biggest adjustments was hiring. In the Navy, personnel assignments were predetermined, and in corporate, he had never been a hiring manager. Now, he had to build a team from the ground up.
To improve retention, Pease implemented initiatives such as a low-cost health care plan for caregivers and a rewards program that lets caregivers earn points for hours worked, referrals, and performance.
His military background also prepared him for the emotional challenges of home care. Clients pass away and families grieve, requiring a level-headed approach and resilience.
“On a nine-month deployment driving a ship through the busiest waterways, you have to prepare for everything. Things go wrong, but you adapt and push forward,” said Pease. “In home care, we build relationships with clients and their families. I’ve attended many funerals, provided families with resources, and supported our caregivers through loss. It’s emotional, but we focus on service.”
Balancing multiple roles — husband, father, business owner, and Navy reservist — requires discipline and time management.
“My wife is my biggest supporter. She works full-time and still takes on a lot at home,” Pease said. “We’re intentional about making time for each other — monthly date nights and unplugging from work when we’re with our kids. At work, I’m fully focused, and I carve out time in the evenings for military responsibilities. Staying present in each role is key.”
Pease also carefully evaluated his franchise choice, prioritizing strong infrastructure and support. Right at Home’s branding, operational foundation, and resources convinced him it was the right fit.
Through adaptability and perseverance, Pease successfully transitioned from military officer to franchise owner. His story demonstrates how veterans’ discipline and leadership translate seamlessly into business ownership. As he grows his franchise, his commitment to service remains central to his mission.
A transcript of Powills’ interview with Pease has been provided below. It has been edited for brevity, clarity, and style.
Nick Powills: I love my Meet the Zee interviews because franchisees are the rockstars of business. Ted, thanks for doing this. What is your franchise story? How did you get into franchising?
Ted Pease: Thanks, Nick. After college, I joined the military and served as an active duty surface warfare officer for 10 years. While on a shore-based tour teaching ship handling, I earned my MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship. I always wanted to be in business, but with a toddler and another child on the way, I needed stability. So, I joined a large insurance company, but I quickly realized the same bureaucracy that frustrated me in the Navy also existed in large corporations.
I initially thought franchising meant owning a McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts — I didn’t understand its full scope. A veterans group in Philadelphia — the Greater Philadelphia Business Veterans Network — helped me transition out of the military. Through them, I connected with a college roommate who started a home care company and also met Brian Beers, who owns dozens of Midas franchises. Brian pulled up franchise opportunities, and I realized I wanted a people-focused business that provided a service. That led me to home care. After researching available franchises, I chose Right at Home for its corporate support, large territory, and alignment with my values. It also gave me the opportunity to serve my local community.
Powills: How long have you been in the system, and where is your business today?
Pease: We’re 19 months in. In our first six months, we grew about 20%, followed by another 20-25% the next year. We’ve doubled our caregivers and clients and added two more office staff. The biggest challenge is building trust. It takes a year of networking before people refer clients to us, and when they do, we have to deliver exceptional service to maintain that trust.
Powills: Looking back, were there any blind spots going into business that, if you had known, would have given you a leg up?
Pease: It took time to understand home care — its language, billing, relationships, and market positioning. The hardest part has been hiring. In the Navy, you inherit a crew; in corporate, I wasn’t at a hiring level. Hiring is different when you’re making those decisions yourself. You can read all the books, but until you’re sitting across from a candidate, it’s a learning curve. I’ve focused on improving our hiring process and understanding how people fit into our organization.
Powills: Hiring is always a challenge, especially in senior care, where you need the right people to care for families’ loved ones. How are you addressing turnover and building culture?
Pease: We’ve implemented several initiatives. We offer a low-cost health care plan for caregivers, covering medical, vision, dental, and critical illness. Right at Home’s new rewards program lets caregivers earn points for hours worked, showing up on time, referrals, anniversaries, and good performance, which they can redeem for gift cards.
For office staff, hiring the right fit is crucial. My first big investment was an in-house recruiter, which improved the quality of our hires and retention. We also added a community liaison with a background in senior care and gerontology. She’s been fantastic.
Powills: What was your mindset during your transition from military to business ownership? Were there doubts? Did you ever hesitate before signing the agreement?
Pease: I was excited and confident I had the skills to succeed. Veterans excel at adapting and persevering. Quitting was never an option. My wife was incredibly supportive. She treated it like a deployment, understanding the commitment. The first six months were a grind, but after a year, we saw real results. There were tough moments, like losing multiple clients at once, but I learned the natural cycles of the business.
I’m also in the Navy Reserves, which means leaving for two weeks at a time. That was nerve-wracking, but it built trust with my team. Each time, they stepped up and handled things flawlessly. Those experiences reinforced my confidence in delegating and trusting my staff.
Powills: Franchising is often said to be a great fit for veterans because they follow systems. But in senior care, you also deal with deep emotional experiences. How did your military background prepare you for this?
Pease: Resilience. On a nine-month deployment driving a ship through the busiest waterways, you have to prepare for everything. Things go wrong, but you adapt and push forward. In home care, we build relationships with clients and their families. I’ve attended many funerals, provided families with resources, and supported our caregivers through loss. It’s emotional, but we focus on service.
We send flowers and cards to families of clients who pass. Our caregivers often attend funerals, and I pay them to do so because their relationships with clients matter. Some days, I’ll meet a new client, handle a complaint, and then visit a hospice patient we’ve cared for over three years. The emotional highs and lows can be intense, but my military experience prepared me to manage that.
Powills: You wear multiple hats — husband, father, business owner, reservist. How do you balance it all?
Pease: My wife is my biggest supporter. She works full-time and still takes on a lot at home. We’re intentional about making time for each other — monthly date nights and unplugging from work when we’re with our kids. At work, I’m fully focused, and I carve out time in the evenings for military responsibilities. Staying present in each role is key.
Powills: When choosing a franchise, what made you pick one with a strong infrastructure instead of a less established brand?
Pease: I evaluated what I was getting for my franchise fee. Right at Home has an excellent website, national branding, and strong operational support. I could never afford TV commercials on CNN or Fox News, but they provide that brand recognition.
They also offer essential resources: a tech stack, employee handbooks developed with a national law firm, and best practices. Unlike some franchises where you must buy proprietary products, Right at Home gives franchisees flexibility. I choose my marketing, partnerships, and office structure. The support system also allows for scalability, whether by expanding territories or acquiring neighboring locations.
Powills: Ted, it’s clear you’ve mastered balance. Your ability to shift between roles and stay present is impressive. Your journey, experiences, and military background all contribute to your success. Thank you for sharing your story.
Pease: I appreciate it, Nick. Service has always been part of my life, and home care lets me continue that mission. Right at Home’s motto is, “Improving the lives of those we serve,” and as long as we stay committed to service, we’ll succeed.
Powills: Thanks, Ted. This was another episode of Meet the Franchisee.
Watch the full interview here.
For more interviews with those influencing the franchise industry, check out our “Meet the Franchisee” playlist on YouTube.
Right at Home
SPONSORED
Pease applied his military leadership skills to business ownership, overcoming corporate frustrations, building a trusted team and growing a successful home care franchise.
Transitioning from military service to business ownership is a challenge many veterans face. For Ted Pease, it was a natural evolution of his commitment to service. After a decade as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, he leveraged his leadership skills to build a successful Right at Home franchise.
Pease recently sat down with 1851 Franchise’s Nick Powills on an episode of the “Meet the Franchisee” podcast to share his franchising journey, which began with a desire for entrepreneurship. While teaching ship handling during a shore-based tour, Pease earned an MBA. With a young family, immediate business ownership wasn’t practical, so he pursued a corporate career. However, the bureaucracy of large corporations frustrated him, reigniting his desire to own a business.
Through the Greater Philadelphia Veteran Business Referral Network (VBRN), Pease connected with a former college roommate who had started a home care business and met Brian Beers, a multi-unit franchisee. Exploring franchise opportunities, he realized he wanted a people-focused business with a strong service component, leading him to Right at Home.
“We’re 19 months in. In our first six months, we grew about 20%, followed by another 20-25% the next year,” Pease said. “We’ve doubled our caregivers and clients and added two more office staff. The biggest challenge is building trust. It takes a year of networking before people refer clients to us, and when they do, we have to deliver exceptional service to maintain that trust.”
One of the biggest adjustments was hiring. In the Navy, personnel assignments were predetermined, and in corporate, he had never been a hiring manager. Now, he had to build a team from the ground up.
To improve retention, Pease implemented initiatives such as a low-cost health care plan for caregivers and a rewards program that lets caregivers earn points for hours worked, referrals, and performance.
His military background also prepared him for the emotional challenges of home care. Clients pass away and families grieve, requiring a level-headed approach and resilience.
“On a nine-month deployment driving a ship through the busiest waterways, you have to prepare for everything. Things go wrong, but you adapt and push forward,” said Pease. “In home care, we build relationships with clients and their families. I’ve attended many funerals, provided families with resources, and supported our caregivers through loss. It’s emotional, but we focus on service.”
Balancing multiple roles — husband, father, business owner, and Navy reservist — requires discipline and time management.
“My wife is my biggest supporter. She works full-time and still takes on a lot at home,” Pease said. “We’re intentional about making time for each other — monthly date nights and unplugging from work when we’re with our kids. At work, I’m fully focused, and I carve out time in the evenings for military responsibilities. Staying present in each role is key.”
Pease also carefully evaluated his franchise choice, prioritizing strong infrastructure and support. Right at Home’s branding, operational foundation, and resources convinced him it was the right fit.
Through adaptability and perseverance, Pease successfully transitioned from military officer to franchise owner. His story demonstrates how veterans’ discipline and leadership translate seamlessly into business ownership. As he grows his franchise, his commitment to service remains central to his mission.
A transcript of Powills’ interview with Pease has been provided below. It has been edited for brevity, clarity, and style.
Nick Powills: I love my Meet the Zee interviews because franchisees are the rockstars of business. Ted, thanks for doing this. What is your franchise story? How did you get into franchising?
Ted Pease: Thanks, Nick. After college, I joined the military and served as an active duty surface warfare officer for 10 years. While on a shore-based tour teaching ship handling, I earned my MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship. I always wanted to be in business, but with a toddler and another child on the way, I needed stability. So, I joined a large insurance company, but I quickly realized the same bureaucracy that frustrated me in the Navy also existed in large corporations.
I initially thought franchising meant owning a McDonald’s or Dunkin’ Donuts — I didn’t understand its full scope. A veterans group in Philadelphia — the Greater Philadelphia Business Veterans Network — helped me transition out of the military. Through them, I connected with a college roommate who started a home care company and also met Brian Beers, who owns dozens of Midas franchises. Brian pulled up franchise opportunities, and I realized I wanted a people-focused business that provided a service. That led me to home care. After researching available franchises, I chose Right at Home for its corporate support, large territory, and alignment with my values. It also gave me the opportunity to serve my local community.
Powills: How long have you been in the system, and where is your business today?
Pease: We’re 19 months in. In our first six months, we grew about 20%, followed by another 20-25% the next year. We’ve doubled our caregivers and clients and added two more office staff. The biggest challenge is building trust. It takes a year of networking before people refer clients to us, and when they do, we have to deliver exceptional service to maintain that trust.
Powills: Looking back, were there any blind spots going into business that, if you had known, would have given you a leg up?
Pease: It took time to understand home care — its language, billing, relationships, and market positioning. The hardest part has been hiring. In the Navy, you inherit a crew; in corporate, I wasn’t at a hiring level. Hiring is different when you’re making those decisions yourself. You can read all the books, but until you’re sitting across from a candidate, it’s a learning curve. I’ve focused on improving our hiring process and understanding how people fit into our organization.
Powills: Hiring is always a challenge, especially in senior care, where you need the right people to care for families’ loved ones. How are you addressing turnover and building culture?
Pease: We’ve implemented several initiatives. We offer a low-cost health care plan for caregivers, covering medical, vision, dental, and critical illness. Right at Home’s new rewards program lets caregivers earn points for hours worked, showing up on time, referrals, anniversaries, and good performance, which they can redeem for gift cards.
For office staff, hiring the right fit is crucial. My first big investment was an in-house recruiter, which improved the quality of our hires and retention. We also added a community liaison with a background in senior care and gerontology. She’s been fantastic.
Powills: What was your mindset during your transition from military to business ownership? Were there doubts? Did you ever hesitate before signing the agreement?
Pease: I was excited and confident I had the skills to succeed. Veterans excel at adapting and persevering. Quitting was never an option. My wife was incredibly supportive. She treated it like a deployment, understanding the commitment. The first six months were a grind, but after a year, we saw real results. There were tough moments, like losing multiple clients at once, but I learned the natural cycles of the business.
I’m also in the Navy Reserves, which means leaving for two weeks at a time. That was nerve-wracking, but it built trust with my team. Each time, they stepped up and handled things flawlessly. Those experiences reinforced my confidence in delegating and trusting my staff.
Powills: Franchising is often said to be a great fit for veterans because they follow systems. But in senior care, you also deal with deep emotional experiences. How did your military background prepare you for this?
Pease: Resilience. On a nine-month deployment driving a ship through the busiest waterways, you have to prepare for everything. Things go wrong, but you adapt and push forward. In home care, we build relationships with clients and their families. I’ve attended many funerals, provided families with resources, and supported our caregivers through loss. It’s emotional, but we focus on service.
We send flowers and cards to families of clients who pass. Our caregivers often attend funerals, and I pay them to do so because their relationships with clients matter. Some days, I’ll meet a new client, handle a complaint, and then visit a hospice patient we’ve cared for over three years. The emotional highs and lows can be intense, but my military experience prepared me to manage that.
Powills: You wear multiple hats — husband, father, business owner, reservist. How do you balance it all?
Pease: My wife is my biggest supporter. She works full-time and still takes on a lot at home. We’re intentional about making time for each other — monthly date nights and unplugging from work when we’re with our kids. At work, I’m fully focused, and I carve out time in the evenings for military responsibilities. Staying present in each role is key.
Powills: When choosing a franchise, what made you pick one with a strong infrastructure instead of a less established brand?
Pease: I evaluated what I was getting for my franchise fee. Right at Home has an excellent website, national branding, and strong operational support. I could never afford TV commercials on CNN or Fox News, but they provide that brand recognition.
They also offer essential resources: a tech stack, employee handbooks developed with a national law firm, and best practices. Unlike some franchises where you must buy proprietary products, Right at Home gives franchisees flexibility. I choose my marketing, partnerships, and office structure. The support system also allows for scalability, whether by expanding territories or acquiring neighboring locations.
Powills: Ted, it’s clear you’ve mastered balance. Your ability to shift between roles and stay present is impressive. Your journey, experiences, and military background all contribute to your success. Thank you for sharing your story.
Pease: I appreciate it, Nick. Service has always been part of my life, and home care lets me continue that mission. Right at Home’s motto is, “Improving the lives of those we serve,” and as long as we stay committed to service, we’ll succeed.
Powills: Thanks, Ted. This was another episode of Meet the Franchisee.
Watch the full interview here.
For more interviews with those influencing the franchise industry, check out our “Meet the Franchisee” playlist on YouTube.
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