Couple Combines Business and Healthcare Expertise as Franchisees with Right at Home

Sagar and Seema Patel are combining their respective backgrounds in business and healthcare as new business owners with Right at Home*, the in-home care franchise with over 700 units. Sagar has worked in the technology and software sector, most recently with SurveyMonkey, while Seema has been in healthcare, currently working as a pharmacist in the home healthcare industry. When Seema’s father began struggling with health issues recently, the couple gained a new perspective on in-home care services as the family members of someone who required care. 

“In healthcare, many patients feel as though the care provider doesn’t understand what they are going through,” said Seema. “I would want our clients and our team to know that we understand the standpoint of having a family member who needs support and care. This has given us compassion and understanding, so we can serve people well in a similar situation.”

As the couple was already considering going into franchising for themselves, this personal experience inspired them to consider a brand that improved seniors’ quality of life within their own homes, and they found Right at Home fit the bill. 

While growing up, Sagar’s parents were franchisees in the hospitality industry, owning a Days Inn and Best Western hotels, so he was familiar with all the benefits franchising offered to business owners. Now, he and his wife are looking forward to giving back to their community in the Calabasas, California area with a business of their own.

1851 Franchise spoke with the Patels about their journey into franchising and their plans for the future. 

PROFILE QUESTIONS

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

Sagar: Before franchising, I was in the tech and software sector working on development and sales for multiple startups, including Survey Monkey. After Survey Monkey sold to a private equity firm, I took some time to think about my next career move. During that time, we saw Seema’s father go through some health issues. We realized that someone who could provide quality care in his home would improve his quality of life. That made me realize this industry was important and helpful. Right at Home was a great fit for what we were looking for.

We are at a pretty pivotal moment for the baby boomer generation. They are all predicted to retire by 2030. As the older generation is often pushed to the side, I wanted a career that meant we do not forget about these groups of people. When we have children, I want to teach them about this and share these values.

Seema: This is a large career move for Sagar, and I am supporting him. I was raised in a family with a large focus on healthcare. My father has not been well for quite a few years now, and as I've grown older, I've seen the significant impact of a care provider. I have also gained the perspective of what it’s like to take care of an aging parent that needs assistance, so this brand feels right for us. 

I'm working as a pharmacist in home health, which aligns with the home care industry. We provide a lot of infusion related IV medications for patients that need help and can receive treatment within the comfort of their own homes. 

Care and service have always been my passions, so I am excited to help people improve the quality of their lives.

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?

Sagar: My parents were franchise owners of a Days Inn and Best Western, so I was brought up knowing how franchises can positively impact the growth of your business. You are taking a brand that has been heavily marketed, with an established reputation. You are putting that into your own business, and it gives you a boost right from the get go. From what I have learned so far, Right at Home has one of the best reputations in this industry. 

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

Sagar: Anytime I googled Right at Home, they had incredible reviews and a big presence online. It made me realize that this corporation is teaching franchisees to run this establishment correctly. They let franchisees operate independently and strongly, as well, which is something I was looking for. I wanted to use the brand’s established name and reputation while being able to make it my own.

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

Sagar: We first want to build trust with our community. It’s also important that we take good care of the caregivers on our team because they are really the heart and soul of the company. They're the ones who provide the vital service of caring for others. I would love to expand, but for now we have small steps and small goals.

I am blessed to have Seema with her healthcare background, and my background in sales and business. When we combine our expertise, there's a lot of potential for growth as long as we execute the business plan properly. 

Seema: We want our clients and caregivers to be able to count on us. In a business like this with so many moving parts and expectations of what quality home care looks like, it is so important to hire the best individuals who will work together to make the business work successfully. This team will help us scale one day, too. 

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

Sagar: Seema was born and raised in the area where our territory is located. We love that we are able to serve the community that Seema always imagined her future children growing up in.

I plan on being really hands-on with the business, especially with my caregivers and employees. 

I want to meet everyone I can and let them know they’re not dealing with just an employee, but rather with the owner of this business so I can personally be there to make sure the highest level of support and care is provided.

Seema: In healthcare, many patients feel as though the care provider doesn’t understand what they are going through. I would want our clients and our team to know that we understand the standpoint of having a family member who needs support and care. We have a parent going through that. This has given us compassion and understanding, so we can serve people well in a similar situation. We want to understand our clients and alleviate any of their struggles. 

Had we not had the experience that we had, we might not have chosen this industry. We learned a lot from our personal experiences, and because of that, we are in a great place to provide care.

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

Sagar: Do your research and speak to everyone internally that you can. Right at Home provides this opportunity. If you feel it is the right choice for you, take the leap of faith. Starting a business is always a risk, but a little risk can lead to a great reward. 

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 700 franchise locations in the U.S. and five other countries. For more information about Right at Home, visit https://www.rightathome.net or read the Right at Home blog at https://www.rightathome.net/blog/.