Former Healthcare Worker Finds New Career Calling with Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise

Sara Odland-Beyna is a former community healthcare worker with over 15 years of experience in the field. As a result of corporate restructuring and the COVID-19 pandemic, Sara and her husband Terry began looking at potential new business opportunities. Through their research, the couple discovered Seniors Helping Seniors®, the at-home senior care franchise.

Sara knew almost immediately that it was a path she could see herself traversing down. She considered becoming a semi-absentee owner, but after meeting with the corporate team, she decided to take the reins herself, dive head first into the franchising industry and become her own boss.

Sara has signed on to serve three territories across Northwest Chicago and is hoping to open her doors for business this summer.

1851 Franchise recently spoke to Odland-Beyna, who discussed her journey into franchising and her excitement for her new venture with Seniors Helping Seniors®.

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

Odland-Beyna: I’m from North Dakota, originally. In 1998, right out of college, I moved from North Dakota to the Chicago area where I worked as the community relations manager with the Schaumburg Flyers professional baseball team. I spent one year there and through networking with the local business community, moved on to the Schaumburg Park District, where I spent another five years. After that, I worked with the Alexian Brothers Health System, which eventually turned into AMITA Health, and I stayed in the healthcare industry for just shy of 15 years. In 2019, my position was eliminated due to a wide-scale corporate restructuring. Then the pandemic hit shortly thereafter. So, through networking and my job search, I met an executive coach who introduced me to the franchising industry. He told me, “We should all be prepared for professional displacement. You could find yourself searching for a job again.  Why not set yourself up with a small business as a great back up plan?” So, we researched a few different options, and became quite interested and passionate about the Seniors Helping Seniors® concept.

From the get-go, Seniors Helping Seniors® really spoke to me. Because of my years of experience in the healthcare industry and community outreach, I’m familiar with the services Seniors Helping Seniors® offers, by aligning caregivers with people who need assistance. All throughout my career, I’ve worked in community outreach and community-facing positions. I enjoy making new connections and I’m excited to get back into the industry. My initial plan was to operate this as a semi-absentee owner.  My husband plans to maintain his job teaching, but after meeting with the corporate team, they really showed us the value of taking the reins ourselves. So, I have decided I’m going to get this ramped up and do it myself.

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?

Odland-Beyna: It was an unfamiliar concept that I never thought I would get involved with. I had always worked for someone else, so the thought of being my own boss was sort of exciting, but also nerve-wracking. Franchising places your success is in your own hands.  Small business owners need to push themselves to do really well. So, truthfully, I never thought about it until I was faced with potentially losing my job again. But now I know, due to the leadership with Seniors Helping Seniors and a great business plan, I have the guidelines to know what to do. When you’ve been in a steady position for as long as I was, branching out on my own became a scary idea. But my perception has definitely changed and I am thrilled to be a part of a terrific organization with solid longevity.  

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

Odland-Beyna: In my franchise research I had been told NOT to focus on “the widget”.  I wear my heart on my sleeve so that was challenging for me.  The discovery process and learning about the origins of Seniors Helping Seniors and the tie to Mother Teresa really drew me toward this as the best franchise for me and for my family.  I fell in love with the basic concept of Seniors Helping Seniors and quite simply, people helping people.  The final decision came when the corporate team took their time and interviewed US as potential franchise partners to make sure we were a good fit for them.   They did as much research on us as we did on them. That really surprised me. I believe that’s how all businesses should operate. I feel they are as invested in us as we are invested in them. It’s like becoming a part of a family. I appreciate the care and training they have given us so far. They really do have a tremendous support system.

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

Odland-Beyna: I’ve thought a lot about the ramp-up process. We signed on for three territories, and that is daunting to consider at this stage in our process. To start, I’d like to go deep into my community and build out a solid base, and spread out from there. But I am definitely looking to recruit caregivers in all my territories. My intention is to focus here in Arlington Heights and in my initial territory where we live, and work hard to grow from there.

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

Odland-Beyna: I really like to connect with people. That’s something I’m passionate about. I’m really excited to be able to touch base with some of the people that I haven’t talked to in a while and share this part of my life with them. And I’d like to be able to build upon those relationships and get to connect with people in my community whom I have never met. Seniors Helping Seniors® is a great way to connect with people. There is a tremendous need for these services in my community. I feel very fortunate to be in a position where I can have a hand in helping to make those connections for people and making their lives a little easier. Whether that includes helping family members who are unable to take care of their parents by helping seniors stay in their homes longer or retired professionals that are looking for ways to give assistance and companionship to those in need, I want to help connect people and give them a better quality of life.

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

Odland-Beyna: Do the homework, but also, trust your gut. Identify what drives you, follow your own path, and trust the process. Believe me, if you had told me a few years ago that I would be in the position I am, I would have never believed you. Just trust the process and take the leap.  The hard work will pay off.