Walmart Operations Manager Follows New Passion as Caring Transitions Franchisee in Arkansas

Greg Wise, an experienced professional with a substantial corporate background, recently embarked on an exciting new journey as a franchisee with Caring Transitions in Arkansas. After buying one franchise location last fall, he has now expanded to cover the entire Northwest Arkansas territory.

Having previously owned small businesses, including a local tow company, a body shop and a car lot, Wise is no stranger to entrepreneurship. However, the comprehensive service that Caring Transitions provided, coupled with its innovative approach toward virtual estate sales through CTBids.com, truly captivated him. 

After working as an Operations Manager with Walmart for nearly two decades, Wise's decision to pivot to franchising was deeply personal, driven by his mother's transition to assisted living after his father's passing. Finding himself at a loss for how to assist her, Wise was introduced to Caring Transitions by a friend. Witnessing firsthand how seamlessly the local franchisee facilitated his mother's transition from a 4,000-square-foot home to assisted living, Wise recognized the potential for this much-needed service in his own area. Within six months of reaching out to Caring Transitions, he was officially a franchisee.

In his first franchise venture, Wise had ambitious plans for growth and expansion. With his daughter Delaney recently joining the business post-college, and the possibility of his wife, a teacher with over 20 years of experience, joining in the future, Wise hopes to transform Caring Transitions into a family business. Long-term, he plans to continue expanding, turning his franchise into a hallmark of service and caregiving in the community. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Wise: I came from a corporate background, spending about 12 years with a transportation company and then another 15 years with Walmart home office. 

I had a personal experience that introduced me to Caring Transitions. After my father passed away, my mother decided it was time to downsize and move to an assisted living facility and out of her 4,000-square-foot home. When she asked for my help, I wanted to, but how could I? She lived in Northeast Arkansas, and I was five hours away. I had a Realtor friend who told me about Caring Transitions and what they offered. I gave that local franchisee a call, and the next thing you know, he is doing an auction and taking care of all my mom’s needs. I remember my mom noted that this business could be great in my area of Arkansas. The more I thought about, the more I thought it was a great idea, so I reached out for more info from Caring Transitions. Six months later, I had signed on with the franchise. I saw there was a need here, and I took advantage of it. 

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?

Wise: This is the first franchise that I have purchased, but I have other businesses that I own on a smaller scale. I started a local tow company, a body shop and a car lot. I had looked at other franchises over the years, but nothing drew me in. 

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

Wise: It was really just seeing the service they provide. This is a service that is needed. No one is remotely offering what Caring Transitions offers. The other senior care companies operate in their own silos, but we are a one-stop shop. Also, I knew CTBids.com was the way of the future. We’ve done estate sales in the past, but I know that virtual estate sales are an outstanding way to drive in more customers. That was really the other caveat that made me go with Caring Transitions; they owned CTBids and had all the rights to it. 

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

Wise: Since last fall, our opening has been soft. My oldest daughter, Delaney, recently joined me in the business after she graduated from college. As a result, I decided to buy a second territory and continued expanding the business. Some of our competition was catching on to what we were doing, and I wanted to secure this area before they did. We’ve grown organically so far and have started to earn a reputation in the area. Long-term, we do want to continue expanding. 

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

Wise: We really want this to be a family business. My wife might also join us. She’s been a teacher for over 20 years. It has been so great to see my daughter’s entrepreneurial skills blossom. After serving in the corporate world, I have also seen how my own servant leadership skills are coming into play with the franchise. 

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

Wise: Reaching out to the corporate team starts the ball rolling in the process, but for me, being able to talk to other franchisees was really the key. Make sure that you have a very thorough discussion with other owners. That is what really, in the end, makes the opportunity attractive. The fact that the corporation was allowing me to have discussions with these owners directly made me feel much more comfortable in finalizing the purchase of the franchise. 

To learn more about franchising with Caring Transitions, visit https://1851franchise.com/caringtransitions

ABOUT CARING TRANSITIONS:

Caring Transitions provides older adults and their families with the most trusted, respected and comprehensive downsizing, rightsizing, estate sales and online auctions, and move management solutions in the industry. Founded in 2006, the brand is committed to helping people in a compassionate and caring manner while providing a total and easy solution for clients in their time of need. Through their proprietary online sales platform CTBIDS, Caring Transitions also prepares clients for the process of liquidating assets through their own online estate sales auction site. With over 250 locations, Caring Transitions’ compassionate, experienced professionals minimize stress and relieve the burdens of life’s transitions. To learn more, visit https://www.caringtransitions.com.