After 23 Years Behind the Pharmacy Counter, Lara Smith Is Embracing a New Chapter Supporting Seniors in Her Community

Lara Smith spent over two decades as a pharmacist at the same Publix location in Buckhead, building deep relationships with customers who came to rely on her — especially during the challenges of the pandemic. After retiring at 49, Smith took time to recharge, but quickly realized that something was missing. She didn’t just want to stay busy — she wanted to feel fulfilled and serve her community in a new way.

That desire led her to Seniors Helping Seniors®, an in-home care franchise that aligned with her values and passion for meaningful connection. Now, Smith is launching two territories in Buckhead and Chamblee, Georgia, combining her professional experience with her heart for service. With aging parents of her own and firsthand knowledge of how isolating senior life can be, she’s committed to creating a care option that feels personal, supportive and community-centered.

Backed by a strong support system and a family who believes in her mission — including her daughter who is in nursing school at FSU — Smith is excited to step back into a familiar community with a renewed sense of purpose.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Lara Smith: I was a retail pharmacist for Publix Pharmacy for 23 years. I started fresh out of school and stayed with it until I retired two years ago. I loved my job, but during COVID it became exhausting — 14- to 15-hour days, 12 hours on my feet. Physically and mentally, it took a toll. Being almost 50, it just got harder to recover, so I decided I couldn’t do it anymore.

After I retired, I took about six months to recharge. I enjoyed the downtime, but eventually, I realized I wanted to fill my time with something more purposeful. I got licensed in Florida, thinking maybe we’d move there and I could do pharmacy again, but every time I looked into it, I had a visceral reaction. It gave me PTSD, honestly.

My husband works full-time in finance and had always encouraged us to look into a home-based business. He thought it would be a good way to keep me busy and have tax benefits. A franchise consultant found him on LinkedIn and gave him a list of 10 options. I looked into a few, but when I came across Seniors Helping Seniors®, it immediately intrigued me.

It wasn’t brick and mortar, and it didn’t require me to clock in and out at set hours. It was on my own terms, which was very appealing. As I got to know the brand, I learned more about the company’s origin and values. Everyone I interacted with from Seniors Helping Seniors® felt incredibly supportive.

1851: How did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Smith: Even though I managed a pharmacy for 23 years, the business side was mostly handled by corporate. So this was a new challenge, but the team at Seniors Helping Seniors® broke everything down into manageable steps. It made the overwhelming parts much more digestible.

Ultimately, I wanted to do something with purpose. Retiring at 49, I knew I wasn’t done. I wanted to leave more of a legacy. Living in a community with a lot of seniors and having built deep relationships through my pharmacy work, I missed that connection. People had known me for years, through two pregnancies and raising my kids. I felt tied to the community and wanted to reconnect in a meaningful way.

This model really spoke to me. I’m not a senior yet, but I’m getting there, and I want to know something like this exists when my time comes. My parents live in Florida, and this summer my dad had an operation that didn’t go well. My mom became his caretaker, and it was hard watching her struggle. None of us kids were nearby. That really showed me the importance of services like this.

Even if I hadn’t become a franchise owner, I could see myself being a caregiver. I want to make a difference with my time and connect with people. I also volunteer at an assisted living facility nearby through my church, bringing communion to those who can’t attend services. I’ve gotten to know many of them, and it’s heartbreaking how lonely they are. Even though they’re surrounded by people, they often feel isolated. Being that extra connection for someone is invaluable.

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?

Smith: My perception beforehand — long before Seniors Helping Seniors® — was shaped by looking at other types of franchises over the years. I always thought of things like fast food, hair salons or other brick-and-mortar places. It never seemed very enticing to me.

I think a lot of people believe franchising is very restrictive, that you’re limited in what you can and can’t do. But with Seniors Helping Seniors®, I’ve found the opposite. They have an amazing structure and have truly perfected the process. They know what works, and I’m absolutely willing to follow their model. But I also know that if I discover something that works better in my territory, they’re open to new ideas and always looking to improve.

What works in one area might not work in another, and they understand that. It’s a very supportive community. For people new to business, franchising can be a great way to get started without being overwhelmed by every little aspect. When it comes to things like payroll, marketing, PR — they have someone for that. It’s made the whole process so much less stressful.

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

Smith: I talked to another home health care agency, but what stood out with this brand was the genuineness of the people. I never felt like they were just telling me what I wanted to hear or trying to sell me a franchise to make money. I truly feel like they’re looking for people who share the same compassion and passion for the mission of helping seniors in the community.

When I read about how Namrata’s mother worked with Mother Teresa, it really touched me. The brand started from a place of true compassion and giving back, and that spoke to something I was searching for personally. I was looking for a greater sense of purpose.

I was keeping busy with things like working out, doing yard work, running errands — but none of it made me feel like I had done something meaningful. This brand focuses on giving back and helping others, and that’s what excites me the most.

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

Smith: I want my community to know that Seniors Helping Seniors® is the place to go for care for their loved ones. I also want people to know it’s a great place to work. I want my caregivers to feel appreciated.

When I was in the pharmacy, I always said I couldn’t function without my technicians — they were the heart and soul of the pharmacy. I feel the same way about caregivers. You have to hire the best people — those with good hearts who truly want to help and who understand the mission of Seniors Helping Seniors®. I’m not looking for people just wanting a paycheck; I want people who are looking for a greater sense of purpose and who want to build real relationships with other seniors.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Smith: I think one of the reasons this spoke to me is that I spent 23 years serving people in this same community through the pharmacy. During COVID, I was someone people relied on — asking if they could come in for a shot, looking to me for help. I felt appreciated and valued.

Now, I’m excited to get back into the community in a new way. I want to employ some of the same people I used to help, and support those who need care.

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

Smith: I would say, do your homework. It’s not something to rush into. I did a lot of research, read a lot of books and did a lot of soul searching to figure out what I really wanted to do. You have to have that clarity before you even get started.

Also, embrace the fear. The anxiety of doing something different is real. There were many times at Publix when I thought, “I can’t do this anymore,” but then I’d think, “What else am I going to do? This is all I’ve done for 23 years.” Getting out of your comfort zone and doing the things that scare you can be liberating. I’m proud of myself for moving beyond that.

I’m still nervous — there are a lot of unknowns — but I know I have support. Not just from Seniors Helping Seniors® and my business coach, but also from my family. My husband is very excited about this venture, and my daughter, who’s in pre-nursing school at FSU, is excited to help. I can even envision handing the reins to her one day if that’s something she wants.

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 moving to the U.S. in 1995 and marrying 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 home care 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 350 territories nationwide and over 180 franchise partners in 38 states. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/.