IT Expert Brings New Senior Care Brand to the Louisville Metro Area

Angela Gibson is familiar with business ownership. After operating her own IT consulting business, she began working for her client, Humana, full time. After 12 years with Humana, Gibson found herself looking for career opportunities. She was deciding between working for another large corporation, consulting or starting her own business when a franchise consultant suggested Seniors Helping Seniors, the franchise that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts.

Gibson knew firsthand how hard it can be to find a great in-home care service for loved ones after all four of her grandparents received less-than-satisfactory care. Because of that experience, she felt connected to Seniors Helping Seniors’ concept and its business model. Gibson began helping seniors and their families in the Louisville metro area on January 30.

1851 Franchise spoke with Angela Gibson to learn more about her franchising journey with Seniors Helping Seniors.

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

Gibson: Before starting my career in technology, I received my education from MIT in DIgital Transformation. For the last 12 years, I’ve worked at Humana in business and technology. My last role was the Associate Vice President leading the quality engineering, process automation, protected data management and application security. Before that, I owned a technology company.

When I parted ways with Humana I started to try on options including getting a position at a large company, consulting or starting my own company again. It seemed a bit like fate because a franchise marketing person reached out. My initial response was “no”. I did not want to own a franchise, but I was willing to try on the opportunity. The franchise consultant presented me with some really great quality franchises. What I like the most about franchising as a concept is that I have more control by owning my own business, but I also have the support of a large franchise behind me.

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?

Gibson: I didn’t know that franchises like Seniors Helping Seniors even existed. I knew about the bigger companies mostly in the restaurant industry like McDonald’s, but I did not want to own a retail-based franchise.  

When the consultant brought Seniors Helping Seniors to my attention, I realized that the franchising game had really changed. Franchises have started to leverage digital technology to improve productivity and operations. 

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

Gibson: I picked Seniors Helping Seniors because it was meaningful and connected with me. All four of my grandparents had senior care in several different states. As a family, we were very frustrated with what we experienced from a quality perspective. The Seniors Helping Seniors model allows the person providing the care to be closer to the age of the person who needs the care. We’re hiring really talented people who care for people.

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

Gibson: I think there is such a need for senior care I want to open my territories as soon as I can. My three territories divide Louisville, Kentucky into three sections so I want to focus on optimizing those locations.

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

Gibson: Really make sure that you know what you’re getting into. Each franchise has its own way of operating. If your way of working doesn’t mesh with a brand, then it will be an unhappy relationship. The stronger your connection, the more successful you can be as a franchisee. Some people will get caught up on the financial benefits of franchising, but you really need to ask about their culture and operations and talk to franchisees.

ABOUT SENIORS HELPING SENIORS:

Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise system was founded by husband-and-wife duo Kiran and Philip Yocom. Kiran, who grew up in India, later worked to advance humanitarian efforts alongside Mother Teresa. After Kiran moved to the U.S. in 1995 and married her husband Philip, the Yocoms felt called to provide loving care to seniors and to cultivate an exchange of gifts at every generational level. Together, the Yocoms founded Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home services in 1998, opening the brand up to franchising in 2006. With a mission to be the most respected and rewarding homecare provider in the U.S., Seniors Helping Seniors® locations stands apart from competitors as the only company that prioritizes hiring active seniors to provide care services to their less-active counterparts. Seniors Helping Seniors® service aligns caregivers and care recipients based on the abilities and needs of both by offering a wide range of care services. Seniors Helping Seniors® network has grown to 200-plus locations, 125 franchise partners in 30-plus states and international markets. For more information on Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com.