From Education to Eldercare: French Native Embraces New Chapter with Seniors Helping Seniors Franchise

French native and former elementary school teacher Laurence Maurel is bringing Seniors Helping Seniors to El Dorado, California. She chose this franchise because it allows her to  make a tangible difference in her community by providing essential services to seniors. Laurence will be hiring an administrative assistant to handle the emails, website and accounting aspects of the business so she can focus on client and caregiver interactions. 

Laurence’s goal is to establish a strong customer base and a dedicated team of caregivers, aiming for a balanced growth that prioritizes quality care over rapid expansion. With personal experience caring for aging parents, she understands the significant impact of compassionate senior care and is committed to delivering high-quality service to her clients.

1851 Franchise spoke to Laurence about her franchise journey with Seniors Helping Seniors 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?

Laurence Maurel: I was born in France and I was an elementary school French teacher for almost 20 years. I met my husband in the south of France. We had two girls in 1995 and 1997. In 2008, we moved from France to Dallas, Texas, and I taught as a French teacher in a French-American school. We stayed for five years and then we moved to the Bay Area where I joined the French American school of Silicon Valley. In 2016, I started my own cooking classes business. In 2018, we moved to the Sacramento area. My business did not survive the pandemic, but I still had this desire to be an entrepreneur and that’s how I ended up finding Seniors Helping Seniors. As a volunteer at a dog rescue where most of my colleagues are seniors and seeing myself approaching this age, I realized it would be a great opportunity to help seniors in our community.

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?

Laurence Maurel: I didn't know much about franchises. It was new for me and I didn't know that they could be so helpful. I appreciate that.

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

Laurence: I will be more on the side of meeting clients and caregivers and I will get some help in the background handling emails, websites and accounting. I also like that I can assist people. I don't like to be behind a desk — I really like to help people. I also like the community aspect. The franchise really focuses on the community. I looked at multiple opportunities and this one had the best way to help the community. I  have parents that are aging as well, so I see the need. 

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

Laurence: This is the very beginning, so this year, I hope to have several customers and enough caregivers to serve them. The next goal is to increase the number of customers, maybe looking into 50 customers and having the same number of caregivers. I want to focus on helping the people that we have. 

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

Laurence: My parents are in France, and they need caregivers. I see that it's not easy to find someone to help them, especially from over here in the U.S. I cannot help them in France, but maybe I can give a little bit of ourselves here in the U.S.

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

Laurence: You need to reflect on what franchise area you’d really like to work in. It's all about being happy to work for the domain where you want to grow. Be sure that what you want to do is the most important and find the right franchise with the right people. 

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.