Successful Corporate Leaders Find New Passion After Caring for Aging Parents; Set to Open New Griswold Franchise in California

Laura and Darrin Mills both come from diverse professional backgrounds, but seeing how their own parents began to struggle with their independence  inspired them to start a new chapter in senior in-home care. After seeing firsthand the challenges of finding reliable caregiving for their aging parents, they knew they wanted to make a difference.

“For me, it hit home when my 95-year-old dad needed a caregiver,” said Laura. “My sister was trying to balance her full-time job and caring for him, and it quickly became clear that we needed experienced help. It was a scramble to find the right support, and that made me realize how important it is to provide this service to others.”

Set to open their Griswold franchise in October 2024, the Mills are excited to bring compassionate, expert care to seniors in their community. The couple is committed to making a positive impact on seniors' lives by providing essential services that allow them to age comfortably at home.

1851 Franchise spoke with the Mills to learn more about their story, their journey to Griswold and their 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?

Darrin Mills: I’ve held corporate retail positions as a VP, but I never really felt fulfilled. In 2017, I got involved in the licensed and recreational cannabis industry, and while I saw remarkable things, I knew another chapter was waiting for me. A friend of mine owned a home care franchise in Arizona, and that sparked my interest. When we spoke to Griswold, their authenticity and focus on helping you succeed stood out. I loved the home care field because you get to impact people’s lives at their most vulnerable points.

Laura Mills: For me, it hit home when my 95-year-old dad needed a caregiver. My sister was trying to balance her full-time job and caring for him, and it quickly became clear that we needed experienced help. It was a scramble to find the right support, and that made me realize how important it is to provide this service to others.

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?

Darrin: We’ve owned a business together that wasn’t a franchise, and we just sold a kid’s hair salon that was. Because home care is a new industry for us, we felt it was important to have as much support and information as possible. I didn’t want to start from scratch, and Griswold gave us that foundation.

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

Darrin: It was the people. I’ve spent my life meeting and interviewing people, and when I met the Griswold team, they seemed sincere and humble. We spoke with several franchises, but Griswold felt the most genuine. They cared about getting to know us.

Laura: The team was so welcoming, and the business model just felt like a great fit. The support and training they offer really made us confident in our choice.

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

Darrin: We’d love to expand into another territory and possibly get some family members involved. Our long-term goal is to grow the business over the next five years and build a team that can run it successfully.

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

Darrin: We’re excited about becoming experts in senior care. We’re currently getting our senior advisor certification because we want to be in a position to educate and help seniors.

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

Darrin: There are two ways to look at franchising: Is it personally fulfilling, and what’s the business opportunity? Griswold checked both boxes for me. It’s a growing, recession-proof industry with reasonable startup costs. On a personal level, helping support a senior’s quality of life during their most vulnerable times is incredibly rewarding. We learned that firsthand with Laura’s dad. Having a company like Griswold makes all the difference.

For more information on franchising with Griswold, please visit: https://1851franchise.com/griswold.

ABOUT GRISWOLD

With 170 locations in 31 states, Griswold is one of the country’s top home care companies, providing professional, compassionate caregivers 24/7. Griswold’s “Live Assured” promise gives both clients and their loved ones peace of mind, so they can live without the weight of worry. Griswold helps adults maintain quality of life despite advanced age, onset of illness or post-surgery recovery through services, including companion care, home services, personal care and respite care. Founded by the late Jean Griswold in 1982, the company has maintained its founder’s profound sense of empathy for older and disabled adults and those living with chronic conditions. For more information, visit griswoldhomecare.com or call 215-402-0200.