Despite 30 years of working in a corporate IT world, Tisa Mullis still considers herself a “small-town southern girl” at heart. When her role as chief information officer was eliminated at Babcock & Wilcox, she looked for other corporate employment opportunities but found she no longer had a passion for it.

“I wanted to be in an organization where I could not wait to get up the next day and get after it,” said Mullis. “I wanted to have autonomy and full accountability, and I wanted to operate in a true servant-leadership mentality. I wanted to elevate the lives of people I have responsibility for and people I served. I wanted to be my authentic self.”

Fortunately, an email connected her with The Entrepreneur’s Source, who put her in touch with Seniors Helping Seniors®, the senior care concept with 200+ locations across the U.S. Mullis felt an immediate connection with the brand’s mission and core values.

“There was a belief in genuinely looking at an individual from the inside-out and recruiting based on who they are genuinely, as a person,” said Mullis. “That really spoke to me — looking for people who are not only service-oriented, but people who truly love other human beings and who latch onto that vision of elevating and changing life.”

Mullis will be opening her first Seniors Helping Seniors® location in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in April 2024 to serve the mid-Carolina counties of York, Lancaster, and Chester where she grew up. However, Seniors Helping Seniors® is so much more than just a financial venture for Mullis; it’s an opportunity to elevate lives while “living her faith out loud.”

“I want to train my caregivers to truly look at the people they’re serving because if they’re not elevated in some way because of us being there, then we haven’t done our job right,” Mullis said. “I think every person deserves to live a life where they’re seen and loved and cared for and, if we’re able to provide that, then that’s what we’re going to do. It’s not going to be just a transaction, ever.”

1851 Franchise spoke with Mullis to discuss her journey into franchising 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?

Mullis: I was in the world of Information Technology for going on 30 years, including 20 with one organization — Belk Department Store. I went through three changes in my career, moving into a different vertical altogether in the power generation market with Babcock & Wilcox. I moved up in leadership and became an executive as the chief information officer.  After corporate strategic and organizational changes, my role was eventually eliminated.

After that occurred, I honestly thought I still wanted the corporate world at the time.  I accepted a consulting role as chief of staff at LPL Financial, but knew very quickly I wasn’t cut out for it because I didn’t have real, true accountability. You’re paid to do as requested; there wasn’t a real sense of ownership and accountability. It was a nice, respectable role in terms of compensation, but I just didn’t feel it was for me. I really needed to be a part of the organization dna that I worked for. I wanted to have more skin in the game.

When that contract period ended … I went searching for ‘the’ next role. In this case, it was that organization I could fall in love with.

I was interviewing for several corporate jobs, but in my head, just the thought of getting back in there and going through all of the politics and corporate processes was exhausting. I am very sure it was evident in my interview style, so I was hitting a lot of walls and nothing was panning out. Eventually, the concern came because I had been unemployed beyond our discretionary savings and I thought ,“Okay, something’s going on here.” I am also a person of faith and I realized that, “Maybe this is not right for me anymore. I need to explore other options.”

I got an email one day and got connected with a group called The Entrepreneur’s Source. They have an assessment that will identify your passions, the things you’re interested in, your personality and your leadership style. With no obligations required, I went through that to determine what kinds of options were out there and they came back with three franchise opportunities that seemed like a good fit. Seniors Helping Seniors was one of them and, honestly, as soon as I heard about it, I felt like it was the one for me.

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?

Mullis: I just thought it was something that wasn’t really attainable and I didn’t realize there were so many options out there. [The Entrepreneur’s Source] was very genuine, even in the assessments they put me through. Whether or not I decided to go through with [franchising], it was still very helpful for me. I learned a lot about myself. So I would encourage others to just explore and have an open mind.

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

Mullis: I really connected with their original founding core values and mission in what they were all about. There was a belief in genuinely looking at an individual from the inside-out and recruiting people based on who they are genuinely, as a person. That really spoke to me — looking for people who are not only service-oriented, but people who truly love other human beings and who latch onto that vision of elevating life.

It’s a cause that’s dear to me because it’s a model that allows you to serve, not only the seniors in the community, but your caregivers as well. So my passion for a life of service is what attracted me to this particular brand. It’s a core part of my faith; being able to live my faith out loud and really live it in true direct action is definitely a strong reason behind it.

I want to train my caregivers to look at the people they’re serving because if they’re not elevated in some way because of us being there, then we haven’t done our job right. I think every person deserves to live a life where they’re seen and loved and cared for and, if we’re able to provide that, then that’s what we’re going to do. It’s not going to be just a transaction, ever.

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

Mullis: My territories currently cover York, Lancaster and Chester counties. I am definitely hoping that the demand for the services increases to where we can expand into the surrounding counties. They’re not purchased as part of the franchise right now so I have options to expand if I have the demand there.

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

Mullis: I’m a small-town southern girl. I’ve had to work my way through — I didn’t have anything given to me, so there’s a lot of good old-fashioned hustle, work ethic and drive to succeed.  My mother repeatedly told me from a young age that I could do anything I set my mind to.  And in my adult life, I am not afraid to jump, I truly believe everything is “figure-outable” If the Lord presents an opportunity, who am I to say it’s not possible?  And my track record proves it!

I’m a true native to this area. I have family and roots in all three of the counties I’ll be serving.

Most families in the South are extremely broken and mine was no different, but by the grace of God I was able to get an education, a career I desired and eventually marry my husband Chris of almost 30 years.  We have a beautiful family with two of the most perfect adult children you could imagine, Monica and Matthew.  That broken past is a real part of my story. My heart goes out to many people because they’re automatically judged and they’re not given a chance. They don’t have the right person to get there with them and bring them along.  

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

Mullis: I would say to do their homework, but get connected with a reputable organization. Research all your opportunities and make sure they line up with your personal values and goals. Embrace the challenges, but stay true to your “authentic self” while you’re doing it.

For more information on the costs to start a Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise, visit: https://1851franchise.com/seniorshelpingseniors/info.

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.