After a long career in corporate marketing and advertising efforts, Christian Adams was forced by structural shifts and layoffs to pivot. But it was the perfect opportunity to leverage his skills, including his experience growing multiple successful businesses, to build something of his own that more closely aligned with his personal values: treating people well and acting from a place of respect and service.

Adams had previously experienced in-home care in both personal and professional contexts, and he had noted a lack of care, in many cases, for the caregivers themselves. When he discovered Seniors Helping Seniors®, a 200-plus-unit in-home care franchise, Adams knew it would be the perfect fit for him to grow while serving his community.

Adams took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:

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

Christian Adams: I grew up in the D.C. area and was very into traditional media, video production, communications, and photography. I went to Ohio University for my undergraduate degree in communications and met my wife, Rebecca, there. We got married and moved to Columbus, where I worked in media and advertising. We moved to Cincinnati in 2013, and I started working for Disabled American Veterans, then moved on to a few startups. Lastly, before starting a franchise, I worked in banking and finance for Fifth Third Bank.

I was laid off last December due to a pivot in expansion strategy, and my parents brought up the idea of starting a franchise. I had helped to grow a lot of businesses in the past, and I thought, “Why not do that for myself?” I contacted a local franchise consultant and started the process. 

I always wanted to include Rebecca in the process, and we fell in love with Seniors Helping Seniors®. Their story — the founding with Mother Teresa — resonated with us. She felt this was a sign, so to speak.

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?

Adams: Having experience with both sides in previous roles gave me important context. I've worked for an entrepreneur who is a franchisor. He has six different franchises. Having tried to start other businesses myself, I know the heavy lifting and workload that goes into it. The great thing about franchising versus doing it all on your own is that there's a support system to help you grow.

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

Adams: I really resonated with the business model and culture. I’ve seen how the industry works through experiences with my grandparents and even during my time with Disabled American Veterans. We talk a lot about the clients and not as much about the caregivers.

Success comes down to quality of care — in all aspects. I’m not seeing people as numbers. I look at this operation from a standpoint of respect rather than just a transactional exchange between two parties. Given the principles Seniors Helping Seniors® was founded on, I felt confident that it would be a great fit.

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

Adams: Seniors Helping Seniors® has a great growth plan. Going by the playbook, I'm definitely going to be learning a lot. Even though I've grown businesses to the Inc. 5000 level, this is going to be a different experience. I'm excited to take my previous knowledge and apply it in this new context. I'm looking forward to getting it to cruising speed.

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

Adams: I've always come from a place of compassion for others. I have a servant leadership style. Leading with empathy is important. That's a key differentiator compared to a lot of businesses that see people as numbers.

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

Adams: Don't be afraid to try new things. There are people there to support you. Go into it with curiosity. Ask lots of questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

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.