Celebrating Our Inspiring Women Today and Every Day

We’ve been in the senior care market for 15 years. In 2007 we opened Senior Helpers Home Care and quickly grew to one of the top offices in the nation. My husband, Todd, and I found ourselves doing the work of a “Senior Care Advisor,” so in 2012 we opened Assisted Transition, a senior placement franchise. Subsequently, that brand was purchased by CarePatrol and we have grown to the top office in the nation in 2020 and 2021.

My business experience includes owning and operating a four-diamond inn and restaurant, so I am familiar with the challenges and rewards of small business ownership. Pursuing a franchise was an attractive option because of the market value of a national brand, standardized systems and training, and support from both a franchisor and the franchise community. Although we are part of the nation’s oldest and largest senior placement organization, we are locally owned and operated with expertise and impact in our local communities.

In the era of corporate downsizing and consolidation, I was in Chicago with Illinois Bell when the five midwestern Bell companies merged to create Ameritech. It was a turbulent time when “headcount” was the buzzword and a person’s loyalty, seniority, and ability did not guarantee job security. My husband and I both decided to move to Wisconsin and pursue opening a bed and breakfast inn. Our collective backgrounds and degrees were in Hotel and Restaurant Management and we shared a love for hospitality.

Both of our parents owned small businesses so we determined to “flee” corporate America and set a course to open a small business where our success and security was driven by our effort, skill, and determination. Before the eventual sale of our restaurant and inn, I served on the Board of the Wisconsin Innkeepers Association and was named their Innkeeper of the Year in 1999. We had also been designated “One of America’s Top Ten Romantic Inns” and received a AAA Four-Diamond award, one of few small inns in the Midwest with this recognition.

We work with seniors and their families to find safe, appropriate, and affordable senior care and housing solutions. Our service area includes the Greater Milwaukee area, extending south to Illinois and encompassing a good portion of Southeastern Wisconsin.

With every business that I have owned, my goal is not just to meet the needs of our clients but to provide meaningful and rewarding employment for our staff. As a business owner who has also experienced challenging employers, my objective is always to be a serving leader to the staff so they feel equipped, valued, and fairly compensated for the work that they do. We work hard, collaborate constantly, and celebrate often!

Women should never cease to be their true selves in the marketplace. We are empowered when we use our God-given gifts and talents to effect change, benefit others, and achieve success. Be aware that we impact others in our spheres of influence – from the family room to the board room. Whatever the work, do it with diligence, integrity, and kindness and be tuned into the applause of heaven.

I have two favorites: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13) and “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I have been with CarePatrol for 9 years.

I worked on Wall Street for 18 years and when the market collapsed in 2008 my firm was sold and I found myself at a career crossroad. I did some consulting projects for various companies and never felt like I had a "home." After five years of consulting, I made the decision to go back to college to be a corporate litigator. Three months before I was to start college, I met a franchise broker who asked if I had ever thought about owning my own business. I was honest and told him that everyone I knew that had ever started a business had failed. That is when he told me about buying a franchise.

During our consultation, he had me do some assessments to better understand my life goals and to see what type of business would potentially be a good fit for me. What we learned is that I don't get rattled in crises given my former career, I am able to take very complex information and simplify it so that others can receive the information, I wanted to do something that was part of my ministry to serve others and I wanted to work in a field that was recession proof.

I grew up in a small farm town in Indiana.  I loved growing up there and have wonderful memories and friends.  However, I always felt like I wanted something bigger/different. My journey to Wall Street is a story in and of itself but I have always had a deep desire to control my own destiny.  I definitely took an unconventional path to get to where I am in business.  Growing up on a small farm you wake up early and go to bed late.  You work…a lot…LOL  I was always very competitive growing up with sports, showing my horses, singing competitions, you name it.  I always felt like I had something to prove.  Being a franchise owner is much like being on that small farm, what you put into your business and what you do with your business is on YOU. The franchisor gives you a platform and tools and then it is up to you to use them.

I only own one CarePatrol location. Sarasota County and a little bit of Manatee County and it is actually one of the smaller geographies for CarePatrol. I also own two other franchises besides CarePatrol in the same geography.

I love proving that I can take something and make it better than anyone ever imagined. When I joined CarePatrol they were doing very well as a company. However, with my business background coupled with friends I made within the CarePatrol system who also had strong business backgrounds we teamed up and were able to collaborate and share with our franchisor on how to monetize the business.  As a result, we have at times more than quadrupled the revenue potential that franchisees can achieve in the CarePatrol system. Trust me, there has been a lot of back and forth over the years to get us to where we are now. So I would say taking something that was Good and helping to make it GREAT motivates me.

This, for me, is the best part of owning a CarePatrol business. EVERY day I get to meet families who are sad, discouraged, upset, and more who have a loved one in poor health and/or has some form of dementia. The caregivers are exhausted, families are confused and at times in crisis. We walk into some really horrific situations.

This, for me, is the best part of owning a CarePatrol business. EVERY day I get to meet families who are sad, discouraged, upset, and more who have a loved one in poor health and/or has some form of dementia. The caregivers are exhausted, families are confused and at times in crisis. We walk into some really horrific situations.

I get to go in and not only educate them but I also get to give them hope. I get to encourage them, give hugs and partner with them to facilitate solutions for their loved one. I get to help people live their best life a little longer no matter their circumstances. I shed a lot of tears at this job but most are tears of joy.

I believe with every ounce of my being that women are stronger than they know. They are and have always been the glue that holds their families together. They are researchers and doers. When women translate that into business, they are some of the fiercest business owners I have ever met.

I remember we had a franchisee that bought into CarePatrol and he ended up taking a more "stable" job within his first year of owning a franchise. His wife, who ran their household and took care of their 3 kids at the time and home schooled, stepped in to what I will call “save their business.” She not only saved it, but she turned it into one of the top CarePatrol franchises in three years and sold it for what was at the time the largest resale in CarePatrol's history.

I myself had $100 dollars to my name when I bought my franchise and moved to Florida. I was so determined to own my own business and be successful that for 3 months when I first started, I delivered pizzas to cover my mortgage payment hoping I wouldn't be delivering to one of my referral partners. I share this because it speaks to how I believe nearly all women are "wired" up. We know how to humble ourselves and fight for what we believe in. We are solution-oriented by nature.  I would have to google it but I believe statistically, women are some of the BEST business owners in America.

"I want to help people live their best lives until their last breath." I wake up every morning and say this as a little inspiration and as a reminder as to why I do what I do.

I started working for CarePatrol of South Denver in 2014, then worked for CarePatrol Central Denver a year later. I bought the Central Denver Franchise in 2018 and was excited to expand the business. As an employee, I had ideas of how I thought it could be run differently. Then as the owner, I could make those changes happen!

I was a critical care nurse for 10 years. During that time, I worked in 8 states and 3 other countries, and saw so many different ways 'the system' tried to "help people."  I transitioned into hospital case management but realized that many clients we were trying to help, needed help the hospital could not address. I wanted to do more.

I am raising two daughters and my husband has a very erratic schedule. I wanted a lifestyle that could adapt to my kids' needs when needed. However, I also wanted to know that I was "helping people." Ever since I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to do was "help people."

I cover the central Denver territory. That means we have many large hospitals and cover everything from farmland, to inner city, to suburbs. It has a variety of clientele, which I like.

I know that we help clients and families in a very challenging time of their lives. We help them in a way that no one else can through an emotionally challenging time. We educate them on all the different aspects they need to consider and then help guide them to find the best option. I honestly don't know another way that I could "help people" as much as we do!

I think we all get into this industry for different reasons. We all have our strengths. What honestly inspires me is to see other CarePatrol agents in action. I love to hear about the tenacity of some, the compassion of others, the forward thinking, the humility… I love to learn from those more experienced than me. Lastly, we are called "angels" about once a week. How can that not be inspiring?!

My training was originally in nursing, psychology…. all science based. I had to teach myself business, finances, and management. There are a lot of resources out there; I love podcasts, I go to the library regularly, and I reach out when I need help to those mentors around me. It is doable but you have to be willing to learn and personally grow. If you asked me 10 years ago if I would be owning and running a business like this, I would have laughed. But here I am! I think you have to let your life take you where it wants to go…. and learn as much as you can along the way. One thing I have learned and held onto is that you are only as strong as your team.

"Not all those who wander are lost." (J.R.R. Tolkien)

I purchased an Assisted Transition franchise in 2012. I joined CarePatrol in 2012 when they purchased Assisted Transition.

As someone who had never owned a business, I thought I would benefit from the structured environment of a franchise system.

I came from the Natural Foods Industry. I was a broker for a company that represented around 160 lines of product.

My family went through a very difficult time when my grandmother needed assisted living. We had no idea of what to do or how to maneuver the system. Once I learned about CarePatrol through a franchise broker, it struck home and I just knew it was something that I would love.

I own South Denver Metro.

I am grateful to be able to make a change in seniors’ lives. While working with families is far from easy, being able to help people who are in a difficult situation is so rewarding.

We have a very strong group of CarePatrol Franchise Owners in Colorado. We all work so well together as "Franchise Neighbors" and we really drive each other.

Never Give Up! You are stronger than you think you are. Failure is not an option!

"Butterflies are like women. We may look pretty and delicate, but baby, we can fly through a hurricane." (Betty White)

I purchased my franchise location in late 2014.

My last job before purchasing my franchise was relocated to the company's new Chicago headquarters. I found myself questioning whether I wanted to just find another job, or finally take a chance and start my own business. I had some time to really explore my options, and after about 8 months I decided purchasing a CarePatrol franchise was the best decision.

I was a brand manager for several domestic cheese brands for an international cheese company. It was a great job that allowed me to travel, grow, and learn with an excellent group of people.

While I found great enjoyment in my previous career, the one area that I felt disconnected from was my own local community. I didn't have that sense of place, purpose or connectedness. I knew that purchasing a local franchise would finally allow me not just to be a part of the local community, but to give back and really make a difference right here in the Fox Cities.

My team and I have been serving the Fox Cities and Oshkosh Area of Northeast Wisconsin. In April, we will be opening our second location based out of Green Bay, which will allow us to serve the greater part of Northeast Wisconsin in 2022.

It's really about what I've been able to do for the community. Giving back to local non-profits, volunteering my time with organizations that serve seniors, sponsoring programs for people living with dementia, creating jobs that people love, and, most importantly, bringing peace of mind to families facing the overwhelming process of finding and selecting the right care for their senior loved ones. CarePatrol has made a difference in this community, and I'm so proud to be leading this local initiative.

I've been inspired by so many franchisees in this organization who have shown me how to be successful, with small ideas that roll into big results over time, and big ideas that I can work toward. From my first CarePatrol conference, where I heard Bonnie Danker tell everyone "just follow the system" to Wendy Rickenbach-Barclay who showed me there is no limit to how big an individual office can grow, to Paula Sortir who taught me how to really scrutinize my results and identify where I can improve. The list of people who have inspired me goes on and on.

I've been fortunate in my career in that I have not felt that my status as a woman changed my opportunities. I am grateful to all the amazing women before me who came of age in a different time, where their ability needed to be proven and they fought the hard battle. Today, ladies, you are not limited. You do you. You are a business owner, you get to decide how you want to run your business, and you reap the benefits of your success. Enjoy it and be grateful.

"In a world where you can be anything be kind."