Josh Wren, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former federal agent, is transitioning from a career in cybersecurity and law enforcement to a fulfilling new role as a Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise owner. Inspired by his love for serving seniors and his desire to make a difference, Wren and his wife, Kate, opened their franchise in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, earlier this year. With a focus on providing care and companionship to seniors, Wren is driven to help older adults remain in their homes safely and happily for as long as possible.

"Earlier this year, we had a big flood that took out a lot of people’s homes and livelihoods,” said Wren. “My wife and I helped a few seniors clean up and we were able to assist them. Seeing the smiles on their faces, even after losing everything, felt amazing. One senior we helped was a military vet in a wheelchair, and I had the honor of returning his folded American flag. That moment made my decision to go with Seniors Helping Seniors® easy.”

1851 Franchise spoke with Wren to learn more about his story, his journey to the franchise and his plans for the future. 

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

Josh Wren: I’m a veteran. I spent 10 years leading Security Operation Centers (SOC) and worked as an incident response analyst and security analyst within the Department of Defense, Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security. I also have over five years of experience in human resources for the Department of Defense. I served eight years in the United States Air Force as a federal agent, conducting felony criminal investigations and counterintelligence operations, and as part of the Security Forces, where I handled law enforcement and security operations. But I just didn’t feel fulfilled anymore. I’ve always loved helping seniors — hearing their stories and having conversations with them. So I quit my job and put all my eggs in one basket with this.

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?

Wren: I knew a franchise already had everything built. If I put in the effort and follow the plan, I could make it work. I didn’t know much about where to start when it came to helping seniors and the community, but I trusted the franchise model.

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

Wren: Earlier this year, we had a big flood that took out a lot of people’s homes and livelihoods. My wife and I helped a few seniors clean up and we were able to assist them. Seeing the smiles on their faces, even after losing everything, felt amazing. One senior we helped was a military vet in a wheelchair, and I had the honor of returning his folded American flag. That moment made my decision to go with Seniors Helping Seniors® easy.

What really drove me to this brand was that the majority of the workforce is closer in age to the seniors we serve. The goal of building lifelong friendships really spoke to me.

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

Wren: The main goal is to help as many seniors in our community as possible. With the baby boomer generation aging, there aren’t enough caretakers. We want to help seniors live in their homes safely and happily for as long as they can.

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

Wren: My wife is a full-time stay-at-home mom, which I believe is one of the most important jobs. She’ll be helping part-time with the business as well. We both want to get involved with seniors, especially veterans, because that hits close to home. We have also been providing personal care for our son Mark since he became suddenly disabled at 15 years old. Mark has been in and out of the hospital throughout this period, but we feel very blessed to have Mark in our lives. Through our nurturing, Mark has been able to go back to school and is currently on the high school soccer team.

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

Wren: If you’re considering a brand, volunteer first to make sure it's something you like. If it is, then go for it. Throughout my life, people have told me I shouldn’t be doing what I’m doing, but I’ve always worked for others. Now I want to be my own boss and do something I can feel accomplished with. I’ve never felt that before.

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.