1851

Conny Gordeau was nearly 30 years old when she moved from the Netherlands to the United States almost three decades ago. At the time, she didn&rsquo;t speak a word of English. Now, she is spreading compassion throughout Central Valley, California as a <a href="https://www.seniorhelpers.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=senior-helpers-franchisee-conny-gordeau-is-where-she-was-always-meant-to-be-2709152" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Senior Helpers</a> franchise owner.

Gordeau started working in the health and fitness industry soon after arriving to the U.S., a country she fell in love with while visiting a family friend, saying that there&rsquo;s &ldquo;no better place in the world.&rdquo; She describes starting from the bottom&mdash;teaching aerobics classes at Bally Total Fitness&mdash;and working her way up to area regional manager, supervising the operations of up to 50 locations. When the company went out of business after 25 years, Gordeau did some soul searching.

&ldquo;I had to do something I was passionate about, and something that I thought I could do and would be good at,&rdquo; said Gordeau. She says her two passions in life are dogs and caring for older adults. Her own mother had been sick, and as her sister took on the caretaker role, she came to understand the need for extra help at home&mdash;not just for seniors, but also for families.

<a href="https://1851franchise.com/seniorhelpers/making-innovation-the-norm-how-senior-helpers-franchise-dictates-the-trends-in-the-home-care-industry-2709174" target="_blank">&ldquo;I always wanted to start my own business, but I wasn&rsquo;t sure how to go about it. That&rsquo;s where Senior Helpers really helped me out a lot,&rdquo;</a> said Gordeau. She had several phone calls with Rob Cantrell, Vice President of Franchising Development, to hash things out and learn more about the brand. With this support, she became sure it was a great fit.

At first, Gordeau questioned whether she&rsquo;d be able to pull it off. &ldquo;We have all helped seniors. But to really take care of seniors, it takes a lot of knowledge. I knew I had a passion for it, I knew I had the heart for it, but with the training and support I got from them, I was really able to do what I do now every day.&rdquo;

When it comes to being a business owner, Gordeau&rsquo;s previous experience in upper management has set her up for success. Her professional experience in recruiting instilled in her the ability to make sure she hires the right people for the job. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the most important part of this industry--hiring people who care,&rdquo; she said.

She strives to create an environment where her nearly 60 caregivers are happy to come to work. Gordeau says that unemployment is a struggle in the area of Central Valley where her business is based. The majority of the caregivers she employees are single mothers working to provide for their own families.

Gordeau is involved in the community by nature of her work and then some. Her Senior Helpers business works with a local food bank to deliver meals and provide other services as needed. She also partners with the Valley Caregiver Resource Center, providing home care services free of charge so that family members caring for their loved ones can take a break to run errands or do something for themselves. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m one of those people that my friends will say, &lsquo;Who did you pick up off the street today?&rsquo; Because when it gets dark, and I see an old lady walking by herself, I&rsquo;ll stop and give her a ride,&rdquo; she said.

Gordeau defines success as a Senior Helpers owner by the memorable difference she is able to make for both the client and their family. &ldquo;When you care for someone at the end of their long life, and they pass, and you go to the service and get the program and it says when they were born, when they were married, has photos of their children, and then in the middle of all that, &lsquo;We want to thank Senior Helpers and Conny,&rsquo; and their family members and people you&rsquo;ve never met before are thanking you for what you&rsquo;ve done? It&rsquo;s unbelievable,&rdquo; said Gordeau.

Gordeau credits her success thus far to her inherent ability to relate to people. In a way, she wishes she had started working in senior care decades ago. &ldquo;Sometimes God takes you on a path and you don&rsquo;t know which direction you&rsquo;re going in,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;But with an open mind and an open heart, you get to where you need to be. I think I&rsquo;m in a place where I&rsquo;m supposed to be and always were meant to be.&rdquo;

Senior Helpers Franchisee Conny Gordeau Is Where She Was Always Meant To Be

1851 Franchise

The franchisee is following her passion and making a difference in the Central Valley.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

senior-helpers-franchisee-conny-gordeau-is-where-she-was-always-meant-to-be

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers-QSR-Sandwich-Brand-Addition-June-2025

Why Sandwich Franchisees Are Expanding With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

laynes-chicken-fingers-franchise-sandwich-operator-expansion

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photos of Danielle Rosemond & Usman Khan & TruBlue logo

Family Members of Local Physicians Bring TruBlue Franchise to North Central Nassau, Long Island: A Health Care-Inspired Approach to Aging in Place

family-brings-trublue-franchise-to-north-central-nassau

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Love for Dogs Into a Business with Dog Training Elite

How This Franchise Consultant Turned a Lifelong Love for Dogs Into a Growing Business with Dog Training Elite

how-this-franchise-consultant-turned-a-lifelong-love-for-dogs-into-a-growing-business-with-dog-training-elite

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Kelsey McManemin — Vice President of Marketing, HTeaO

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-kelsey-mcmanemin-vice-president-of-marketing-hteao

Senior Helpers Franchisee Conny Gordeau Is Where She Was Always Meant To Be

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS