The Great Franchisee: Scott Hill, Right at Home, Grand Blanc, MI

After more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Scott Hill has changed gears. Now one of the newest franchise owners with Right at Home*, the 500-plus-unit in-home senior care franchise, Hill is refocusing his career on making a positive impact in the lives of seniors and adults with disabilities in the Grand Blanc and Genesee County areas of Michigan.

The University of Michigan graduate says developing products in the auto industry was fun, but he wanted to find a way to do more for people. After seeing his father struggle in hospitals and rehab facilities, Hill decided he wanted to find a position that would benefit the older population. 

1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?

Scott Hill: I have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in management, both from the University of Michigan, and I received leadership training from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. I have senior management experience in the automotive industry, where I worked for over 30 years. I have served as a Junior Achievement volunteer education consultant, where I taught “High School Applied Economics.” I have served for many years on the Christian Services Commission at my church, where I also serve as a lector and a co-leader of a men’s group. I served as a volunteer at the Michigan Abilities Center, providing equine-assisted therapy dedicated to improving the physical and emotional well-being of children, adolescents and adults who have physical, mental, emotional or learning challenges.

I have been married for over 25 years to my wife Claudia, and together we’ve raised three beautiful children – our daughter Amelia, who is 22 years old and recently graduated from Grand Valley State University, and our twin sons Elliott and Harrison, who are now 20 years old and attending college.

I am a volunteer leader for The Hope Clinic organization, which is a medical, food and care provider at no cost to those in need. I have also enjoyed being a Special Olympics volunteer coach. 

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising, and what was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner?

Hill: When I was working in the automotive industry, I worked closely on airbag systems. It was one of my favorite roles I had because I knew the work I was doing was making an impact on people’s lives. With engineering, most of the time you are dealing with things and not people. I knew I wanted to have more of a direct impact on people. 

Thinking about that goal and my father’s medical situation - that was when I started looking into the franchising industry with a focus on in-home care. I watched my father go into rehab facilities and noticed how uncomfortable he was there, and all he wanted to do was get back home. He couldn’t focus on anything else, as he was not communicating well with the caregivers and wasn’t following directions, and I could tell his mental state was deteriorating. When he was finally able to come home, he got a lot better - not just mentally, but also physically. 

1851: How did you decide you wanted to be a franchisee?

Hill: Going into business ownership has always been a goal of mine. It really just came down to the right opportunity coming up at the right time. I know senior in-home care is something I am passionate about, which led me to look into franchising opportunities. 

1851: How did you perform your research?

Hill: I found Right at Home on the internet. I was searching for senior care franchise brands and read about them and their processes. I gave them a call, and the rest is history. The corporate team was easy to work with, and I felt supported the entire time. That meant a lot to me because obviously this is a new role and to have a leadership team there for guidance made for a smooth transition. 

1851: Why did you pick Right at Home? What excited you most about the potential?

Hill: I really like their philosophy. The founder of Right at Home had a background in the hospital industry where he noticed people discharged from the hospital were not finding the right care after they left and would wind up back in the hospital. The more I read about Right at Home and talked to the corporate team, the more I could really see myself in this type of role. Everyone in the organization is extremely genuine, and being part of a highly regarded organization is important to me.

1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?

Hill: We hope to serve as many people as we can. We think the baby boomer wave is just beginning, and there is a greater need out there for elderly people to get this kind of care, and we are here ready to provide it. 

1851: What do you do in your personal time?

Hill: My hobbies include playing, writing and recording music.

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care and assistance to seniors and adults with a disability who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 500 franchise locations in the U.S. and seven other countries. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us. For more information on the local Right at Home office, visit https://www.rightathome.net/genesee/area-served/home-care-grand-blanc-mi