After spending over two decades on Wall Street, Connor May was searching for something more emotionally fulfilling. A life-long passion for helping others led him to Seniors Helping Seniors®, a franchise where he could not only make a difference in the lives of seniors but also provide meaningful work for caregivers. By bringing Seniors Helping Seniors® to Western Connecticut, May has realized his goal of giving back to the community and providing dignity and support to those who need it most.

“I’m selling dignity,” said May. “The senior client may feel invisible or like a burden on their family. The senior caregiver feels like they’re retired and don’t have anything of value to offer. And the adult children of the seniors feel guilty for not being able to provide the care themselves. By having a senior caregiver sit with the senior client, the client feels seen, the caregiver finds purpose and the adult children are relieved to have the care provided."

1851 spoke with May 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?

Connor May: I spent over 20 years on Wall Street. It was a very high-intensity job, very stimulating intellectually. But it wasn’t very emotionally rewarding, so I was looking for an opportunity to give back and to add value to the community.

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?

May: I’ve worked at several start-ups within finance — I had that small firm mentality. I wanted to be hands-on in both my longer term career and how I spend my day-to-day. I evaluated several different opportunities within finance and several outside of finance as well. When I learned about Seniors Helping Seniors®, I was drawn to it for several reasons. I knew I wanted to do something entrepreneurial, and I was also looking for guidance and a framework. As I was evaluating my career, I realized I wasn’t the person who needed to launch his own idea. I’m the person who helps the idea person implement, improve it and execute. You don’t need to recreate the wheel — you need to execute and follow the framework.

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

May: The story of the founder and how she worked with Mother Teresa really resonated with me. But it’s not just being a resource for senior clients; it’s also about being a resource for senior caregivers. I worked with a marketing person, and she asked me, “What are you selling?” And I realized I’m selling dignity. The senior client may feel invisible or like a burden on their family. The senior caregiver feels like they’re retired and don’t have anything of value to offer. And the adult children of the seniors feel guilty for not being able to provide the care themselves. By having a senior caregiver sit with the senior client, the senior feels seen, the caregiver finds meaning and the adult children are relieved to have the care provided.

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

May: The short-term goal is to reach a point where I can serve as many clients as I can at a meaningful level. This isn’t about profit or revenue maximizing — I did that for 20 years. This is about providing a great service for people.

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

May: I’ve been involved in a lot of charity initiatives focused on food insecurity and seniors. My grandmother was a big fundraiser for a Catholic organization called Little Sisters of the Poor that ran nursing homes in the area, so serving seniors has always been in my DNA.

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

May: Do your due diligence, get yourself comfortable and, even if you’re still uncertain, take the leap. You’re never going to feel completely ready.

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.