Dr. Walter Kimble is bringing Seniors Helping Seniors to Philadelphia, combining his passion for community service with a new phase in his career. After 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry focused on childhood health care, Dr. Kimble decided to shift his focus to senior care, inspired by his own experience as a caregiver for his mother. Driven by a commitment to help seniors remain independent at home, he found that the Seniors Helping Seniors model aligned perfectly with his values and his experience in servant leadership.

For Dr. Kimble, this franchise represents more than just a business venture; it’s a way to create a supportive network within his own community. His goal is to hire 100 seniors in Northwest Philadelphia within the next year, providing meaningful opportunities for seniors who want to give back while staying active and engaged. 

Dr. Kimble’s dedication to service extends from his 20 years as a community deacon to this new role as a franchise owner. He views this opportunity as the ideal way to blend business with a mission, providing both employment and essential support for seniors. His hope is to inspire others considering franchising to find something they believe in — especially if it’s a second career phase that brings both purpose and joy.

1851 Franchise spoke to Dr.Kimble about his franchise journey 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?

Dr. Walter Kimble: I have a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and I spent the last 35 years in health care, specifically in the pharmaceutical industry. I was helping manufacture childhood vaccines for a pharmaceutical company. I held a lot of different roles — I was in manufacturing, in technology, in supply chain, in procurement. So, a lot of different roles within that field.

Now, I’m going from childhood-oriented medications in the pharma industry into the adult arena, with home care for seniors. What prompted me to do that was a love for seniors, and also having spent time as a caregiver for my own mom before she passed. That experience touched my heart — I’d always had an interest, but I started thinking, “What can I do with the second phase of my life?” I realized I wanted to move into this. So it’s not only continuing to do something I love, but also helping to employ seniors. That’s really what inspired me to pursue this model. 

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?

Dr. Kimble: I’d looked at a lot of different opportunities in the past, but I was never quite sure about them. What really stuck with me was finding a model that I genuinely believed in. That’s what prompted me to move forward with this one — Seniors Helping Seniors just made sense to me. I talked to people about it, and I kept hearing positive things. It felt like a natural extension of the community support I was already involved in.

Now, being in franchising, I’d say it’s about finding a model that aligns with what you truly want to do. I wasn’t drawn to models in other industries, like food service, but this one was different. It felt like an extension of community service and servant leadership, which is what I’m passionate about.

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

Dr. Kimble: I think what drew me to this brand was the model itself — seniors helping other seniors who need a bit more support. I was already working with seniors in the community through my church, so this felt like a natural extension of what I was doing. When I saw that a territory was available in an area I’m already serving, it just felt like a perfect fit — a win-win. 

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

Dr. Kimble: My goal over the next 12 months is to hire around 100 seniors in the Philadelphia Northwest area. I’ve already made a strong start with about 15 hires, so I’m well on my way. I'm looking for seniors who may be retired or just looking for something meaningful to do with their extra time — people who want to give back and help others.

We say it’s a way to “give and receive” — they get to stay active and engaged while also supporting other seniors. So, reaching that goal of 100 hires means we’re not just providing employment; we’re creating a network of seniors helping seniors, which is exactly what I want to achieve. 

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

Dr. Kimble: I would say I’m a servant leader. I’ve been a deacon in the community for over 20 years, so for me, it’s all about serving. Servant leadership is really the intersection of serving and leading — when you can serve and lead through a business opportunity like this, it’s a win-win. It allows me to truly make a difference while also providing guidance and support to others. It’s about being able to serve and help at the same time, which is incredibly meaningful to me.

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

Dr. Kimble: Take your time to really explore what’s out there. Look at the opportunities available, and make sure they align with your personal beliefs and what you genuinely want to do — especially if it’s the second phase of your life. Think about what interests you, what will motivate you to get up each day and put in the effort. Find something that you’re going to enjoy and truly believe in, something that makes you excited to take on each day.

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.