Shanticleer and Erica Graham have always believed in giving back — whether through military service, health care innovation or community leadership. Now, with the launch of Seniors Helping Seniors® of Atlanta Southwest and South Cobb in Georgia, the Grahams are channeling their decades of professional experience into a mission-driven business that uplifts some of the most vulnerable and underserved people in their community. Combining compassion with process-driven execution, the husband-and-wife team is building a high-impact business that honors both their entrepreneurial goals and their personal calling to serve.

1851 spoke with the Grahams to learn more about their story and their decision to join the Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise. 

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

Shanticleer Graham: My mom was a key factor in our decision to join this franchise. My mother was and still is an informal caregiver. She was trained as a nurse in California when I was young. She worked at a boys' home as a counselor and, when my grandmother became ill, my mother moved her in and cared for her until she passed. Even now, as my mother’s health declines and she needs the occasional help, she is still helping others like her who do not have family nearby, taking them to appointments and church, cooking dinners, running errands or just stopping by to chat. 

After being laid off, I wanted whatever I did next to be of service to others. After 20 years of corporate moving further away from the clients we served, I realized I missed having a direct impact on people's lives in a real way. As I tried to navigate being unemployed, I would speak to my mom more regularly than usual. She would still be out and about helping others, and I was able to go and help her more. As I started investigating franchises as an alternative to just getting another job, Seniors Helping Seniors® quickly became a no-brainer. I was living it with my sister and since I’m in a different state than my mom, it can be difficult to manage when she does need help. SHS gives us the opportunity to give back and support some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Erica Graham: Two very important people in my life, my husband and my mother — inspired this journey. When my husband was laid off after 20 years in the corporate world, we began exploring new paths that aligned with our values. We wanted to create something meaningful together, and the idea of building a family-run business, rooted in the caregiving spirit of both our mothers, felt like the perfect fit.

My mother has been a powerful influence in choosing to start a Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise. As I learned more about the organization, I realized how closely its mission aligns with the way she’s lived her life — quietly and consistently caring for others. In addition to supporting my father, who is nearly blind, she regularly helps neighbors and family members by driving them to appointments and assisting with daily tasks. Her example has shown me how impactful community care can be. Through SHS, I’m motivated to carry that spirit forward and help bridge the gap for seniors in Southwest Atlanta who need compassionate, familiar support.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Shanticleer: I’m an Army veteran and a 20-year medical technology executive. I’m also a Certified Pharmacy Technician, Project Management Professional(PMP), and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB). 

Erica: I own a full-service travel agency, and before that, I was a project manager for a healthcare technology company. Now, I’m stepping into the Seniors Helping Seniors® space to support my husband with this new venture.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know now that you're in it?

Shanticleer: We’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit. When I faced a career change from the job I had for 20 years, we agreed it was time to go all-in on that journey. I connected with a fellow veteran who’s a franchise consultant. He educated me on the process and encouraged me to take a look at franchising. That opened the door.

This isn’t our first business, and I’ve built companies from scratch — that has its own merits. But franchising appealed to me because of the culture and support. It’s almost like a business in a box. The brand, the name — that all resonated. I’m a project manager, so I like processes, systems, and structure. Franchising gives you mentorship and a detailed path.

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

Shanticleer: Watching my mother made me connect deeply with this brand. With my health care background, I wanted to care for the community in a meaningful way. Seniors are some of the most vulnerable people — helping them age gracefully and with dignity is very fulfilling. We also want to be able to serve veterans, which is really important to us.        

Erica: On the flip side, it gives our caregivers a chance to not only make money but also enhance their lives. It really comes full circle. We’re helping both ends — the seniors and the people doing the care.

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

Shanticleer: Our first goal is to get certified to serve veterans — that’s paramount. Once our territories are running smoothly, we plan to expand and add more. We want to grow and serve even more communities across the region.

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

Erica: I have some personal caregiving experience. In the past, I helped my mother care for my late great aunt, assisting with outings to the market, church and social events when her health allowed. Those moments were meaningful, though at times challenging as her condition worsened. Additionally, my father has been nearly completely blind due to glaucoma for the past 15 years. My mother serves as his primary caregiver, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the emotional and physical toll caregiving can take over time.

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

Erica: If you’re looking at multiple brands, stay organized. Take the time to explore every opportunity thoroughly, and join every validation call you can — they’re full of valuable insight. Don't be shy and ask the tough financial questions. My husband did a great job helping us compare options with a checklist — it made a big difference. Do your due diligence: look at the technology, training, operations, and the owners behind the brand. Think about your future and how each option will impact your daily life. Know what you can realistically afford.

Shanticleer: I actually created a scorecard to evaluate each brand we considered. As we learned more, we’d revise it and rescore. Once you’re down to one or two, ask tons of questions. Study the FDD, talk to other franchisees and really know your numbers. If I had to go back and do it again, I’d start by figuring out the budget first — what you can afford is key.

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 400 territories nationwide and over 200 franchise partners in 37 states. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit https://seniorshelpingseniors.com/.