The Great Franchisee: Nick Paul, Right at Home, Spokane

Nick Paul immigrated to the U.S. from Malaysia in the mid 1990s to receive a college education. After graduating, Paul spent more than 20 years in business management, finance and accounting. In recent years, Paul became interested in owning his own business, and he was looking for an opportunity to help the senior community. That’s exactly what he found with Right at Home*, the 500-plus unit in-home senior care franchise. Paul opened his first location Spokane on April 5, 2021, and after a strong opening, he says he is looking forward to growing with the brand. 

1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?

Nick Paul: I was born in Malaysia and moved to the U.S. for school. I have more than 20 years of business management, finance and accounting experience. It was during my time working for a non-profit health clinic that I realized my passion is to have a direct impact on the care of patients in vulnerable periods of their lives. I voluntarily assist elderly neighbors with their daily activities and have experienced them needing immediate medical attention due to falling or the inability to reach restrooms. When the opportunity arose to own a local home care business, I knew I found my calling.

1851: How did you initially find out about franchising and what was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner?

Paul: I knew franchising presented a path to business ownership, and it was just a matter of finding what my passion was. After working in healthcare, that opened my eyes into franchising opportunities within the healthcare industry.

1851: How did you decide you wanted to be a franchise?

Paul: By working with a franchise broker, we were able to identify my likes and dislikes. Through this experience, it helped me realize that franchise ownership was going to be the next step in my career.

1851: How did you perform your research?

Paul: I worked with a franchise broker as starting a business is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but I was never sure what I wanted to do.

1851: Why did you pick Right at Home? What excited you most about the potential?

Paul: The fact that Right at Home was founded and run by someone who worked in a hospital setting was encouraging. Everyone in this organization has the same goal of wanting to make a big impact in a patient's life. Having that as a fundamental belief attracted me to the company’s culture. After talking to staff at Right at Home corporate and other franchise owners, I knew Right at Home was the best career path for me.

1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?

Paul: I want the business to make a positive impact in Spokane. I am an immigrant from Malaysia, and this community has given me so much, and I want to give back. I have many blessings in my life, and I want to share that with people in and around Spokane. I want to leave a strong legacy.

As for the future, I want the business to grow and become a dominant leader in the senior care space in Spokane. I am actively hiring caregivers, marketing to hospitals and community businesses in hopes of landing our first client. I think there is a need for senior care at home now more than ever. As a result of the pandemic, people are staying away from hospitals and nursing homes. The pandemic shined a light on staying at home, which is a great thing for us since we are a leader in in-home care. Being at home is the best way to stay protected and receiving care at home is the best way to get care. In the future, I truly think healthcare services will be shifting towards an in-home model.

1851: What do you do in your personal time?

Paul: My wife and I have one daughter. In my spare time, I enjoy camping, hiking, golfing, volleyball, skiing and traveling. We have a trailer and go camping as much as possible. We make the most of our time in the great outdoors. 

ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship, personal care and assistance to seniors and adults with a disability who want to continue to live independently. Local Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff, each of whom is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured prior to entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global headquarters is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 500 franchise locations in the U.S. and seven other countries. Right at Home was the highest-ranked senior care franchise opportunity on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list in 2018. That year, Forbes Magazine ranked Right at Home the No. 1 franchise to own under $150,000. For more information on Right at Home, visit About Right at Home at http://www.rightathome.net/about-us or read the Right at Home franchising blog at http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/blog/. To learn more about franchising opportunities, please visit http://www.rightathomefranchise.com/.