For many prospective entrepreneurs, the leap into business ownership can be intimidating. The questions are common — How will I find customers? Do I have what it takes? Can I really run a business without a background in finance or marketing? Strategic Franchising Systems (SFS) hears these concerns all the time, and their answer is always the same: Yes, you can — and we’ll help you every step of the way.
Just ask Kristin Goodroad.
“I’ve been a physical therapist for over 30 years,” said Goodroad, who launched her Caring Transitions franchise in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in September 2024. “I had no business background — I did my paperwork and my job for 30 years. I was very naive when it came to marketing, SEO, etc., but my husband reassured me that we could figure it out.”
For Goodroad, the turning point came after a deeply personal experience. When her father passed away in March of 2024, her mother was left alone on a rural acreage and began to experience falls. Goodroad started exploring options for senior transition support — and discovered Caring Transitions.
“I stumbled upon Caring Transitions through a Google search,” she said. “It really sounded like something I wanted to do. I was in a bit of a rut in my career, and the timing was right to make a change.”
What started as a solution for her own family turned into a career pivot and a newfound passion.
Goodroad’s story reflects what many aspiring entrepreneurs feel: uncertainty about whether they’re “qualified” to run a business. But with the right franchise system — like the ones offered by SFS — experience isn’t a prerequisite for success.
“The corporate team has been so great — the training they’ve provided and the assistance before and after launch has been wonderful,” she said. “I spoke with the marketing team when I first started and they talked me through everything. Our business coach has been wonderful and has been very important in helping me get the word out.”
Even without brand awareness in her market — “I bought a territory that was unoccupied and no one had heard of Caring Transitions in this area” — Goodroad has grown her business through support from the franchisor and her own drive to learn.
“When I first launched, my mom was client number one,” Goodroad said. “I got to practice on her. It was challenging — I had to be convincing enough to get her down to what she needed and didn’t need — but it was a great way to learn before working with strangers.”
That hands-on experience, coupled with support from SFS and Caring Transitions’ help desk, set the stage for growth. Goodroad now has so much demand that she recently purchased a second territory.
“We’re pretty much booked for July, and I’m thrilled to see that instead of wondering what next month is going to bring,” she said. “My son is working with me now, and I’m hoping he’ll take on more of an ops manager role so we can have two teams working at the same time.”
Goodroad’s story is not unusual for franchisees within the Strategic Franchising family of brands, which includes Caring Transitions, Pet Wants, Fresh Coat Painters, TruBlue Home Service Ally and The Growth Coach.
SFS understands that first-time business owners need more than a great product or service — they need a full system behind them.
From detailed training programs and marketing assistance to ongoing coaching and access to operational tools (like bookkeeping and payroll support), SFS equips franchisees with everything they need to hit the ground running — even if they’ve never run a business before.
The key? Belief in your potential and a willingness to learn.
“Everyone else is in that same boat, which was really reassuring,” Kristin said of attending the franchise conference in March. “You realize you’re not alone. The resources are there.”
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re capable of running your own business, Goodroad’s story is proof that the answer is yes. It’s not about having a business degree or years of management experience — it’s about finding the right fit, receiving the right support and showing up every day with a willingness to learn.
“I was looking for something meaningful,” she said, “and I found it.”
To learn more about how Strategic Franchising Systems can help you start a business — even if you’ve never run one before — visit Strategic Franchising Systems.
Strategic Franchising
SPONSORED
Kristin Goodroad’s journey from health care professional to successful Caring Transitions franchise owner shows you don’t need a business degree to thrive.
For many prospective entrepreneurs, the leap into business ownership can be intimidating. The questions are common — How will I find customers? Do I have what it takes? Can I really run a business without a background in finance or marketing? Strategic Franchising Systems (SFS) hears these concerns all the time, and their answer is always the same: Yes, you can — and we’ll help you every step of the way.
Just ask Kristin Goodroad.
“I’ve been a physical therapist for over 30 years,” said Goodroad, who launched her Caring Transitions franchise in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in September 2024. “I had no business background — I did my paperwork and my job for 30 years. I was very naive when it came to marketing, SEO, etc., but my husband reassured me that we could figure it out.”
For Goodroad, the turning point came after a deeply personal experience. When her father passed away in March of 2024, her mother was left alone on a rural acreage and began to experience falls. Goodroad started exploring options for senior transition support — and discovered Caring Transitions.
“I stumbled upon Caring Transitions through a Google search,” she said. “It really sounded like something I wanted to do. I was in a bit of a rut in my career, and the timing was right to make a change.”
What started as a solution for her own family turned into a career pivot and a newfound passion.
Goodroad’s story reflects what many aspiring entrepreneurs feel: uncertainty about whether they’re “qualified” to run a business. But with the right franchise system — like the ones offered by SFS — experience isn’t a prerequisite for success.
“The corporate team has been so great — the training they’ve provided and the assistance before and after launch has been wonderful,” she said. “I spoke with the marketing team when I first started and they talked me through everything. Our business coach has been wonderful and has been very important in helping me get the word out.”
Even without brand awareness in her market — “I bought a territory that was unoccupied and no one had heard of Caring Transitions in this area” — Goodroad has grown her business through support from the franchisor and her own drive to learn.
“When I first launched, my mom was client number one,” Goodroad said. “I got to practice on her. It was challenging — I had to be convincing enough to get her down to what she needed and didn’t need — but it was a great way to learn before working with strangers.”
That hands-on experience, coupled with support from SFS and Caring Transitions’ help desk, set the stage for growth. Goodroad now has so much demand that she recently purchased a second territory.
“We’re pretty much booked for July, and I’m thrilled to see that instead of wondering what next month is going to bring,” she said. “My son is working with me now, and I’m hoping he’ll take on more of an ops manager role so we can have two teams working at the same time.”
Goodroad’s story is not unusual for franchisees within the Strategic Franchising family of brands, which includes Caring Transitions, Pet Wants, Fresh Coat Painters, TruBlue Home Service Ally and The Growth Coach.
SFS understands that first-time business owners need more than a great product or service — they need a full system behind them.
From detailed training programs and marketing assistance to ongoing coaching and access to operational tools (like bookkeeping and payroll support), SFS equips franchisees with everything they need to hit the ground running — even if they’ve never run a business before.
The key? Belief in your potential and a willingness to learn.
“Everyone else is in that same boat, which was really reassuring,” Kristin said of attending the franchise conference in March. “You realize you’re not alone. The resources are there.”
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re capable of running your own business, Goodroad’s story is proof that the answer is yes. It’s not about having a business degree or years of management experience — it’s about finding the right fit, receiving the right support and showing up every day with a willingness to learn.
“I was looking for something meaningful,” she said, “and I found it.”
To learn more about how Strategic Franchising Systems can help you start a business — even if you’ve never run one before — visit Strategic Franchising Systems.
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