Alan Wedal is bringing Seniors Helping Seniors® to Washington and Ozaukee Counties in Wisconsin, driven by a deeply personal mission to provide compassionate senior care. Inspired by his own family's experiences with aging and caregiving, Wedal recognized the growing need for companionship and support for seniors who want to age in place. As a veteran and seasoned business owner, he saw this as an opportunity to not only help seniors maintain their independence but also to build a business that serves his community.

With a grand opening planned for later in the month, Wedal is eager to bring a unique, peer-to-peer caregiving model to the area. The Seniors Helping Seniors® approach connects seniors who need assistance with active, compassionate older adults who can relate to their experiences, fostering meaningful connections. Wedal believes this model provides a sense of purpose and community for both caregivers and care recipients.

Wedal's journey into franchising began after a corporate downsizing prompted him and his wife to pursue business ownership. Following nine years of operating a demanding 24/7 franchise, he sought a more meaningful venture that aligned with his values and life experiences. Seniors Helping Seniors® stood out because of its mission-driven focus on helping families navigate the complexities of aging. With his wife planning to transition into the business as well, Wedal is committed to making a positive impact on his community while growing a successful franchise.

1851 Franchise spoke to Wedal about his personal experiences with caregiving, his franchise journey with Seniors Helping Senior® and his plans to grow his business in Southeast Wisconsin. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know? How did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Alan Wedal: Before Seniors Helping Seniors®, I owned another franchise business for nine years. My background includes serving in the Navy as both enlisted and an officer on submarines. After military service, I worked in sales, marketing and business management for several years, primarily in the Midwest where my wife and I eventually settled.

After experiencing corporate downsizing, my wife and I decided that if we were going to work hard for someone else, we might as well work for ourselves. That led us into franchising. My first venture was a drug and alcohol testing business that operated 24/7, which became draining over time. I consulted with my franchise consultant to find a different opportunity, which led me to Seniors Helping Seniors®.

My wife has experience as a social worker and previously served as a social worker for nursing facilities, working directly with the senior population. She's currently a school social worker but plans to transition into the business with me as it grows.

What ultimately drove my decision to choose Seniors Helping Seniors® was personal experience. My mother had medical issues and needed hospice care toward the end of her life, with my father serving as her primary caretaker. After my mother passed, my father lived alone for about 10 years, with my sister nearby providing companionship. Recently, my 83-year-old father-in-law, who lost his wife about five years ago, sold his house and moved into independent senior living without regular assistance.

These experiences showed me firsthand the need for senior care services. As I transition into my next phase of business ownership, helping people in their later years appeals to me. I appreciate the opportunity to match seniors who want to earn extra income with those who need support. There's a service aspect that resonates with my military background, doing good while running a business. That's what attracted me to this opportunity.

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?

Wedal: Before franchising, I viewed it as a great opportunity and pathway to business ownership without having to recreate everything from scratch. As I learned more from my franchise consultant, I loved the idea of taking an existing playbook and making it work for me. I didn't have to find vendors or develop processes on my own.

It's a proven approach, though it's not a guarantee — you still have to put in the work. But being able to take an established model, make it my own and improve it in my area is what attracted me to franchising. What I appreciate about the franchising world is that there's something for everybody — it's not one-size-fits-all. The key is finding the right one that fits your lifestyle and what you're looking for. Finding that right match has worked out well for me.

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

Wedal: What drew me to Seniors Helping Seniors® was the opportunity to work with seniors in transition. Many want to stay in their own homes, whether that's the house they've lived in for 40-50 years raising their children or an independent living facility. Helping them during this phase of life was appealing. I especially liked the concept of 'doing well while doing good' — having a business model that provides genuine support to individuals and families. 

Often, adult children reach out because they can't support their parents the way they want to. Their lives may have taken them out of state, or they can only help in the evenings after work but need someone during the daytime. This model allows me to help these families make very personal decisions about care, providing support that bridges gaps when family members can't be there themselves.

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

Wedal: My plan is certainly to grow within the area. There's a clear need, with statistics showing 10,000 people turning 65 daily through 2029, and the need will continue beyond that.

As a veteran, I'm particularly interested in helping other veterans in transition — veteran to veteran. I love the peer-to-peer business model of connecting people who are closer in age and better attuned to each other's experiences. While I have nothing against younger caregivers — I hired many young phlebotomists in my previous business — there's often a wider gap in understanding between a 25-year-old and an 85-year-old compared to a 55 or 65-year-old working with seniors.

My ultimate goal is to grow throughout northern Wisconsin, bringing support to people who need it. I'd love to build a staff of 50 to 100 to 150 caregivers supporting seniors in the area.

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

Wedal: At this point in my life, giving back to my community is what I'm all about, even while I'm still working. In my previous business, I volunteered with my local chamber of commerce, serving six years on the board of directors, including roles as vice president and president. Leading the chamber during COVID was particularly challenging as we all tried to navigate that transition.

I'm committed to supporting nonprofits, veterans' causes and similar organizations. This business is a continuation of my volunteerism and desire to support others. Now that my kids have grown and left home, my wife and I are looking at what more we can do. We're even going to be fostering a puppy that's being trained as a service dog. We'll help train the dog so it can provide support, enjoyment, and assistance to someone who needs it in their next phase of life.

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

Wedal: I think the main thing to remember is that there is life after the corporate world. Whatever transition you're considering, if you're looking to support your family and create a lifestyle away from that daily grind, working for yourself through franchise ownership is a viable path. There's definitely a franchise opportunity out there that would be a good fit for what you want to do. If you're interested in the senior care industry specifically, Seniors Helping Seniors® is a great avenue, regardless of your age.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise ranges from $86,785 to $141,390. This includes $45,000 that must be paid to the franchisor. Please visit https://seniorshelpingseniorsfranchise.com/. 

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 350 territories nationwide and over 180 franchise partners in 38 states. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/.