Seniors Helping Seniors Franchisees Look Forward to Serving Seniors and Building A Legacy

Djuan and Gwendolyn Irvin have very different career experiences, but share the same values: serving and giving to others. With skills and lessons learned from Djuan's 34 years’ experience as a dedicated power lineman and Gwendolyn's extensive background in banking and administration, the two are venturing into franchising with a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of seniors in their community.

The married couple have recently become franchisees with Seniors Helping Seniors, purchasing two and a half territories in Northwest and Southwest Orlando. In looking for a way to transition out of their careers and into a project they can continue beyond retirement, the Irvins wanted to do something meaningful.

“I want to sow it forward, and I hope someone will be there for me when I get to the age or condition where I need some help. I love helping seniors; they have a lot of wisdom and learned a lot of life lessons,” said Djuan. “It’s a privilege and an honor.”

Not only does the couple hope to sow it forward for themselves, but they also want to do so for the sake of their children and grandchildren. The couple hopes to create a legacy that keeps their family close for generations to come.

“Hopefully they can carry it on to pass down to my grandkids. We can keep the family together instead of everybody doing their own thing and working a nine-to-five. We made those sacrifices for them so they don’t have to do that. Hopefully the sacrifices we've made pay off for them to where they can spend time and do life together in this model while also providing a blessing to seniors in the community,” he said.

1851 Franchise spoke with the Irvins about their journey into franchising and their plans for the future.

PROFILE QUESTIONS

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Djuan: I have strong ties to my local church and community serving people. I would like to extend that to helping seniors in a more profound way through this model. I love building relationships and talking to people. Seniors Helping Seniors was the perfect fit because it gives me an opportunity to do something with substance.

Gwendolyn: I was in banking for almost 20 years. Before Seniors Helping Seniors, I was doing property management for short term rentals, and I am currently still doing that. I wanted to go into franchising because I wanted to leave a legacy for our kids. This brand appealed to me because when my grandmother got older, we had to take care of her as a family. We were her caregivers as a team, and that allowed us to keep her in her home as long as possible rather than send her to a facility. Seniors Helping Seniors caught my attention because I understood the process of caring for aging loved ones as we went through that with my grandmother.

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?

Djuan: I thought franchising would be stressful or overwhelming, but with Seniors Helping Seniors, once we evaluated the brand and started going through the process, we saw the established support system. 

Gwendolyn: I always wanted to own a UPS, and I always wanted to be a franchise owner. I decided to move ahead with a different brand, of course. Through looking at different concepts, I realized that if you follow the model or the plan given to you by the franchisor, you should be successful. In this particular franchise, they’re very organized and supportive. It is an awesome model to give and receive. 

We also have a great support system with our neighboring territories and partners. There are enough seniors here to go around, so there’s no need for competition or intimidation; I love to say we are just friends in the same industry.

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

Djuan: I’m excited because we’re helping seniors. I am 53, so I am knocking on the door of AARP myself. I want to sow it forward, and I hope someone will be there for me when I get to the age or condition where I need some help. I love helping seniors; they have a lot of wisdom and learned a lot of life lessons. It’s a privilege and an honor.

Gwendolyn: It aligns with my value to give more than you receive. With this brand, everyone can win.

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

Djuan: I am optimistic and I believe we will do well with the two and half territories we have and continue to grow into additional territories. What I plan to get out of it is a legacy for our kids that will leave not just finances to them, but a system they can prosper in. Hopefully they can carry it on to pass down to my grandkids. We can keep the family together instead of everybody doing their own thing and working a nine-to-five. We made those sacrifices for them so they don’t have to do that. Hopefully the sacrifices we've made pay off for them to where they can spend time and do life together in this model while also providing a blessing to seniors in the community.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Gwendolyn: Because of my career background, I have the ability to train and recruit. I especially love these aspects. I am looking forward to recruiting and training the best caregivers for our seniors. 

Djuan: My father and mother needed care when they reached a certain age. The transition process they went through, from being able to be independent to being more dependent on others, had a big impact on me. Witnessing their caregiver help them gave me a lot of insight. 

I have a lot of respect for seniors, and I think I can help them while also continuing to give them the dignity and respect they deserve. Even though they're at a place in their life where they have new needs, they still should be treated with respect. 

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 Kiran moved to the U.S. in 1995 and married 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 homecare 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 200-plus locations, 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com.