Heather Maver’s journey into franchising began with a desire to expand beyond her successful last-mile delivery business, which she’s operated since 2019. After five years of building a strong team and ensuring the smooth running of the delivery service, she and her husband began exploring other business opportunities that could make a meaningful impact on their community.
“We liked the idea of franchising because it provides the support of a bigger organization while still allowing us to have our own influence on the community,” Maver said.
Their personal experience with her husband’s grandmother, who required assistance in her later years, further fueled their interest in the senior care industry. This experience highlighted the importance of reliable and trustworthy care, which ultimately led them to choose Seniors Helping Seniors.
“What excites me most about Seniors Helping Seniors is the ability to provide a quality experience for both the caregiver and the client,” Maver said. “It’s not just about having someone there; it’s about having someone who genuinely cares and can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Through Seniors Helping Seniors, Maver aims to eliminate the uncertainty that often comes with finding care for loved ones, offering a service that families can rely on with confidence. 1851 Franchise spoke with Maver about her franchising journey and her 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?
Heather Maver: My first business is a last-mile delivery service for packages. We have a contract with Amazon, and what many people don’t realize is that when you see those blue Prime vans driving around town, those drivers and vans belong to a small business owner in your community. We’ve been doing this since 2019, and we just turned five this June. I’ve built a really great team that keeps the business running day-to-day.
My husband and I started talking about what else we could do in addition to our delivery business. We liked the idea of franchising because it provides the support of a bigger organization while still allowing us to have our own influence on the community. The idea of helping seniors appealed to us for a couple of reasons, including our personal experience with my husband’s grandmother when she needed help. We wanted to build something that could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, especially at the end of their careers.
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?
Maver: I had a pretty good understanding of franchising because I’ve been in the entrepreneurial space for a while. I think it provides a good framework and a lot of support. Some people might wonder why you would pay a franchise fee when you could start something on your own, but there are significant benefits to being part of a franchise. You don’t have to come up with branding or logos, and you have access to a network and community right from the start. That support is invaluable.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Maver: What excites me most about Seniors Helping Seniors is the ability to provide a quality experience for both the caregiver and the client. Our experience with my husband’s grandmother was not ideal, and it really showed us the importance of finding reliable and trustworthy help. With Helping Seniors, we can take away the uncertainty and provide a service that families can trust. Additionally, I love that we focus on hiring older adults who are responsible and take pride in their work. It’s not just about having someone there; it’s about having someone who genuinely cares and can make a difference in someone’s life.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Maver: Our plans for growth include possibly buying a second territory. We want to become the preferred non-medical service in our community, so that when someone needs assistance for a family member, they think of Helping Seniors without hesitation. We aim to be the gold standard in our community.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Maver: I’m a veteran, and we’re working on getting our approval to work with the VA as well. So, not only are we helping seniors, but we’re also looking forward to serving veterans in our community.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Maver: My advice would be to do your due diligence. Do your homework, and talk to as many existing franchise owners as you can. Join info calls, read reviews, and make sure you’re fully informed before making a decision. Starting a franchise is a big commitment, so take the time to research it as thoroughly as you would any other major life decision.
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.
Seniors Helping Seniors®
SPONSORED
U.S. Army veteran Heather Maver’s journey into franchising is driven by her passion for providing trustworthy, quality care to seniors in her Chagrin Valley community.
Heather Maver’s journey into franchising began with a desire to expand beyond her successful last-mile delivery business, which she’s operated since 2019. After five years of building a strong team and ensuring the smooth running of the delivery service, she and her husband began exploring other business opportunities that could make a meaningful impact on their community.
“We liked the idea of franchising because it provides the support of a bigger organization while still allowing us to have our own influence on the community,” Maver said.
Their personal experience with her husband’s grandmother, who required assistance in her later years, further fueled their interest in the senior care industry. This experience highlighted the importance of reliable and trustworthy care, which ultimately led them to choose Seniors Helping Seniors.
“What excites me most about Seniors Helping Seniors is the ability to provide a quality experience for both the caregiver and the client,” Maver said. “It’s not just about having someone there; it’s about having someone who genuinely cares and can make a difference in someone’s life.”
Through Seniors Helping Seniors, Maver aims to eliminate the uncertainty that often comes with finding care for loved ones, offering a service that families can rely on with confidence. 1851 Franchise spoke with Maver about her franchising journey and her 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?
Heather Maver: My first business is a last-mile delivery service for packages. We have a contract with Amazon, and what many people don’t realize is that when you see those blue Prime vans driving around town, those drivers and vans belong to a small business owner in your community. We’ve been doing this since 2019, and we just turned five this June. I’ve built a really great team that keeps the business running day-to-day.
My husband and I started talking about what else we could do in addition to our delivery business. We liked the idea of franchising because it provides the support of a bigger organization while still allowing us to have our own influence on the community. The idea of helping seniors appealed to us for a couple of reasons, including our personal experience with my husband’s grandmother when she needed help. We wanted to build something that could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, especially at the end of their careers.
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?
Maver: I had a pretty good understanding of franchising because I’ve been in the entrepreneurial space for a while. I think it provides a good framework and a lot of support. Some people might wonder why you would pay a franchise fee when you could start something on your own, but there are significant benefits to being part of a franchise. You don’t have to come up with branding or logos, and you have access to a network and community right from the start. That support is invaluable.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Maver: What excites me most about Seniors Helping Seniors is the ability to provide a quality experience for both the caregiver and the client. Our experience with my husband’s grandmother was not ideal, and it really showed us the importance of finding reliable and trustworthy help. With Helping Seniors, we can take away the uncertainty and provide a service that families can trust. Additionally, I love that we focus on hiring older adults who are responsible and take pride in their work. It’s not just about having someone there; it’s about having someone who genuinely cares and can make a difference in someone’s life.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Maver: Our plans for growth include possibly buying a second territory. We want to become the preferred non-medical service in our community, so that when someone needs assistance for a family member, they think of Helping Seniors without hesitation. We aim to be the gold standard in our community.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Maver: I’m a veteran, and we’re working on getting our approval to work with the VA as well. So, not only are we helping seniors, but we’re also looking forward to serving veterans in our community.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Maver: My advice would be to do your due diligence. Do your homework, and talk to as many existing franchise owners as you can. Join info calls, read reviews, and make sure you’re fully informed before making a decision. Starting a franchise is a big commitment, so take the time to research it as thoroughly as you would any other major life decision.
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.
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