Entrepreneur Who Ditched Corporate America Nears 10 Years as a Seniors Helping Seniors Franchisee

Having dedicated the majority of her professional life to Corporate America, Amy McDermott reached a point in her early 60s where she yearned for something more fulfilling. In 2013, her path took a transformative turn when she discovered Seniors Helping Seniors, an in-home non-medical senior care franchise, which prompted her life-altering decision to become her own boss.

Since opening her own Seniors Helping Seniors franchise in 2014, McDermott has been tirelessly serving the Sussex County community in Delaware. As the remarkable milestone of a decade in business approaches, McDermott has exciting plans on the horizon. Not only does she plan to renew her franchise agreement with Seniors Helping Seniors for another 10 years, but she also envisions expanding her business beyond Sussex County. And when the time comes, she says, she may even take a moment out of her busy schedule to celebrate such a momentous achievement.

1851 Franchise recently spoke to McDermott to learn more about her aspirations and journey as a franchise owner.

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

McDermott: Before I got into franchising, I had a corporate job with the third largest company in the world. I traveled weekly as a consultant with Siemens AG. One day, I just happened to be flipping through an airline magazine when I saw an article about Seniors Helping Seniors and its co-founder Kiran Yocum. At that point, I wasn’t looking for a job. I was looking to retire within the next five years or so. I never thought about buying a business or a franchise. But when I read that article, it was like magic. It felt like a message from God, and for once, I was listening.  I called Kiran Yocum the next morning.  The next thing I knew, I was on my way to becoming a franchise owner. I ended up purchasing my Seniors Helping Seniors franchise in August 2013 and opened for business in October 2014.

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?

McDermott: I didn’t know anything about franchises. I never even considered buying one. I had a neighbor who owned several McDonald’s, but I really didn’t know anything about this business and never had any preconceived thoughts about it.

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

McDermott: As I mentioned, I discovered Seniors Helping Seniors suddenly and immediately knew it was the right fit for me. The more I researched the franchise, the more it solidified my feeling that it was the business I wanted to partner with. The feelings I’ve developed for this brand, my clients, staff and the community are really what excites me the most. It is exceptionally rewarding to do something that brings value to another’s life, and to my own.  And the services we provide with love and compassion, helps us stand out from all the other homecare businesses out there.

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

McDermott: I plan on renewing my franchise agreement for another 10 years. That’s in the works. But I also look forward to expanding my business further into the State.

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

McDermott: We take great pride in our unique approach to staffing. We intentionally hire senior citizens to operate and provide services, with the majority of both our back-office staff and field employees being seniors themselves. In fact, nearly everyone on my team, with just a couple of exceptions, belongs to the senior community. These seniors not only embrace their roles with enthusiasm but also go above and beyond in their dedication to helping others. They consistently demonstrate exceptional commitment by arriving early and staying late. Their kindness and compassion shine through as they treat our customers like friends, parents or exactly how they themselves would want to be treated.

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

McDermott: When you’re considering your workforce, my number one advice is to look at the senior population. Seniors aren’t necessarily looking for benefits; they’re looking for something that brings value to their lives.