Ohio-Based Accountant Pursues Dreams of Business Ownership with Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise

As an aspiring entrepreneur, Roderick Bowdle is always looking for new opportunities to enhance his business acumen. Motivated by personal growth and a willingness to give back to his community, he made the decision to partner with Seniors Helping Seniors®, a non-medical senior care franchise.

With a solid accounting background, Bowdle, alongside his business partner and veteran Nehemiah Sparling, took the reins of the Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise in Lorain County, Ohio, in January. Although this venture marked Bowdle’s first dive into business ownership, his commitment to serving the senior population in Ohio has ignited a passion within him. He envisions expanding his business to reach and assist as many individuals across Ohio as possible.

1851 Franchise recently spoke to Bowdle to learn more about why he chose Seniors Helping Seniors® and what he has planned for the future of his franchise.

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

Bowdle: I graduated from college in 2019 with a bachelor’s in accounting. I still work in corporate accounting, and that’s my full-time job. But I’ve always known that I wanted to do something on my own. I initially went into accounting to gain knowledge about business ownership and finances. After college, I was lucky to have a mentor and a family member who were in the senior care industry and owned their own senior care facilities. I decided the market was good, and there was a definite need for these types of services. I decided to get started looking into different options, which is when I discovered Seniors Helping Seniors®. Although this is my first venture into business ownership, I hope to eventually own several businesses and expand my Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise throughout Ohio.

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?

Bowdle: I really wasn’t a huge fan of franchising originally. But I think that’s because I didn’t fully understand it. I didn’t love the idea of being a business owner who didn’t really own my own business. But the more I learned about the industry, the more I realized how wrong I was. If someone has a good business model and they decide to franchise their business, then that can be extremely beneficial to you — especially for someone who is getting into business ownership for the first time. Franchises can provide you with a great path to be successful. Stepping into something that’s already established is much easier than starting a business from scratch.

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

Bowdle: I looked at a couple of different senior care franchises, but Seniors Helping Seniors® really was the best option I came across. I really appreciated the way Seniors Helping Seniors® allows its operators to run their businesses the way they want. Very few franchises will let their owners have any sort of individuality, so that stuck out to me. The brand’s business model also allows you to have an impact on your community. I think most seniors just want companionship, and that’s what Seniors Helping Seniors® aims to accomplish. It’s in the name. We hire senior caregivers to be companions to people who need companionship. I think that’s what drives this franchise, and it’s an amazing platform to build a business.

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

Bowdle: Looking ahead, I really want to get to know the communities we serve, and want to be as involved in the community as possible. Additionally, I want to improve and expand on the services we offer in the territories we’re currently in. Right now, we provide services to areas from Sandusky to the East side of Cleveland. Eventually, I’d like to expand our operations to serve seniors throughout the state.

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

Bowdle: I’m not doing this alone. I’m running the business with my partner and lifelong friend Nehemiah Sparling. We grew up together going to the same church. He’s a veteran. Because of his military experience, he had the idea of getting involved with our local VA so we can start offering our services to people through the VA. This is something we’re really passionate about. I feel like veterans get the short end of the stick at times. We’re striving to make sure all of our seniors, including our veterans, are receiving the treatment and services that they deserve.

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

Bowdle: On a personal level, I think it’s important to have your household in check. Make sure everyone in your immediate family is on the same page and on board with what you’re doing before you decide to invest. There are a lot of ups and downs to business ownership, so the people closest to you need to be prepared for that. On the business side of things, if you’re new to this, find someone to help you learn the ins and outs of business ownership. Learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as possible. People who have operated businesses have a lot of valuable insight and can help you avoid so many mistakes when you first get started.