The Great Franchisee: Wanda Scott, Right at Home, Athens, GA

When Wanda Scott was just seven years old, she began taking care of her mother, who was battling ovarian cancer. She didn’t know it at the time, but that experience would prepare Scott for a thriving career in healthcare as an adult. Now, Scott is one of the newest franchise owners with Right at Home*, the fast-growing in-home care franchise with 573 units across eight countries.

After graduating college with a degree in business and healthcare administration, Scott started her career working for ResCare Homecare before getting a job with Pruitt Healthcare. Recently, Scott was looking for a new opportunity in healthcare, and after discovering Right at Home, she decided to open up her own business with the franchise brand.

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

Wanda Scott: I was born and raised in Georgia and I’m a resident of Barrow County. I graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and healthcare administration. I’ve been in the home care industry for more than 15 years. Taking care of people is something that has been instilled in me since I was seven years old. My mother had ovarian cancer, so I was responsible for taking care of her and my brother, who is 11 months younger than me. 

The opportunity to get into home care started when I began working with ResCare Homecare. My first role with the company was an aid and then I became a branch manager in Greensboro, Georgia where I managed day-to-day operations, worked with existing clients and created marketing strategies to secure new accounts. 

I then worked for Pruitt Healthcare for four years as a regional admissions director where I worked with the Georgia Medicaid Waiver program. 

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising? 

Scott: Through my work at Pruitt Healthcare; we partnered with Right at Home and did events together. Through that relationship, I learned that Right at Home was a franchise. The brand has always piqued my interest. 

1851: Why did you choose franchising over starting your own business?

Scott: With my business background, I knew I always wanted to find a business that I could manage while being able to share my love of taking care of people. Based on what I heard from other Right at Home owners, it seemed like a great opportunity for me to grow professionally while having the support of the corporate team. Having the backing of a corporate team stood out to me, because while I do have years of experience in this industry, there are always different ways to learn and I know just how knowledgeable the corporate team is when it comes to best practices. 

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

Scott: Right at Home ran an advertisement on Indeed. I looked more into the opportunity and it felt right. I remember working with them when I was with Pruitt Healthcare and their employees were happy and genuine people. I knew if an opportunity came up, I would take it. I then found out they were opening an office in Athens, Georgia and I knew I had to get involved. That’s when I was put in touch with Jon Searles. He has such a strong passion for people in this industry which mirrored my feelings. 

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

Scott: My dreams for the business follow Jon Searles’ dreams, which are to continue to grow and be the premier homecare brand. The goal is to not just take care of private patients but venture out into Medicaid-dependent patients, veterans and all types of people who can utilize our services as needed. 

1851: What do you do in your personal time?

Scott: I have two children. My son is a lieutenant in the military and is currently serving in Japan with his next destination being Korea. He will be there for a year. My daughter is an honor roll student at Georgia State University. As a result, I do have a lot of time for myself. I enjoy reading, writing poetry and my faith is very important to me.

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship, 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 headquarters is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 500 franchise locations in the U.S. and seven other countries. Right at Home was the highest-ranked senior care franchise opportunity on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list in 2018. That year, Forbes Magazine ranked Right at Home the No. 1 franchise to own under $150,000. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us or read the Right at Home franchising blog at http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/blog/. To learn more about franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/.