Why This Boston Duo Left the Corporate World to Launch a Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise

After years spent climbing the ranks in consulting and banking, Michelle Sonia and Michael Salerno found themselves drawn toward a more meaningful mission: giving back to their own community. With backgrounds in health care strategy and retail banking and a shared passion for helping people, the couple is launching their own Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise in Boston this September. With two territories covering neighborhoods from South Boston to Scituate, they’re putting their professional experience and local roots to work by building a business that reflects their values: empathy, trust and service.

1851 spoke with the duo to learn more about their backgrounds, what drew them to the Seniors Helping Seniors® brand and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Michelle Sonia: I’ve worked in management consulting for 15 years, specifically focused on strategic planning for health care systems. Early in my career, I also worked for the VA Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

Michael Salerno: I’ve been in banking for 20 years, serving as a senior vice president focused on strategy and retail banking. Part of my role involved hosting “lunch and learns” for seniors to help them navigate banking in a safe and informed way. Outside of work, I served as an elected official in my local community for 12 years, so being engaged in service has always been part of who I am.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchise owner, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Sonia: We saw a need in our community and wanted to take our skills and do something more entrepreneurial. After spending so long in the corporate world, this is a big shift, but everything we’ve done transfers well. This is a chance to make an impact in a more local, tangible way.

Salerno: We both have a lot of experience in business strategy, leadership and development, and our strengths really complement each other. I’ve even launched a business before. Franchising gives you a proven framework and when paired with the right skills and motivation, it can be a powerful way to make a difference.

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

Sonia: The senior population is growing, and while senior living communities are expanding, the in-home care space hasn’t kept up. That’s where we felt we could help fill a gap.  Seniors Helping Seniors®  really stood out because of its mission, history and community focus.

We know that in-home care is very personal. Inviting someone into your home takes trust. One of the things we really believe in is matching Caregivers to clients not just by age, but by background and culture. That kind of connection creates comfort and that’s something many competitors miss.

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

Salerno: We purchased two territories in Boston, and there’s definitely opportunity to grow beyond that. But first and foremost, we want to build a strong foundation and be number one among the franchises currently operating in the area. Once we do that, we’ll evaluate expansion.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Sonia: Between the two of us, we have six kids, soon to be seven! We’re raising them right here in the community where we’ll be operating. This business is personal for us. We’re deeply connected to the neighborhoods we’ll be serving.

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

Salerno: When I first started this journey, I was just looking for a franchise to buy. I didn’t expect to find one that would let me make such a big impact in the community. But now that I have, I realize how much purpose this brings me and that feeling only continues to grow.

Sonia: If you’re considering a franchise, especially Seniors Helping Seniors®, our experience has shown that the team behind the brand is truly there for you. It can feel overwhelming at first, but they provide so much support. From the leadership to the operations team, everyone gives 110%. When they say they’ll show up, they really do. That kind of support makes all the difference.

ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS®:

Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise system was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked to advance humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa. After moving to the U.S. in 1995 and marrying her husband Philip, the Yocoms felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding home care provider in the U.S., Seniors Helping Seniors® locations stand apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors® service aligns Caregivers and care recipients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors® network has grown to 400 territories nationwide and over 200 franchise partners in 37 states. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/.