The in home care industry is among today’s fastest growing industries. Comfort Keepers has been part of the boom that is assisting Seniors who want to live comfortably in their own homes.

CKFI is one of few franchise companies that have a high satisfaction rating from their franchisees. The support that franchisees receive from financial, to business development, to technology training and hands-on help from a field expert is excellent. With the solid support of CKFI, even franchisees without prior health care background or in-home care experience can realize success in a short amount of time

Below are three of the many ways that CKFI helps potential franchisees become successful Comfort Keepers:

1. Find out if adult in-home care is the right business for you.   Comfort Keepers offers assessment tools to help potential franchisees determine if adult home care is right for them. Successful franchise owners tend to embody a set of skills and characteristics – not necessarily home care experience-based – but more personality and motivational attributes. For instance, franchisees who are self-starters, who are driven to succeed, able to lead teams, have a desire to contribute to the community, and who are dedicated to providing quality services are most likely to succeed and go on to own one or more successful franchises.

2. Find the right financing option. Interested and qualified future franchisees can take advantage of Comfort Keepers’ unique financing options for single and multi-unit franchises. Other financing options exist such as through Comfort Keepers’ Veterans Franchising program.

3. Extensive training gives you a solid foundation. Not only does Comfort Keepers offer extensive training to its new franchisees but also the support of field consultants and a strong brand rooted in quality and experience.

Are you interested in Comfort Keepers? What draws you to check out different franchise companies? 

You are going to own your own franchise and you want to be in the in home health care business. You are not sure which company will offer you the best support throughout your training, office opening and the rest of your franchise career. At CK Franchising, Inc., we offer a wide variety of resources that are all at your finger tips. From a custom website, consulting with a team of experienced professionals, to an account on our private Members area, you are never left searching for a solution to your problem without any help.

Comfort Keepers Web Support Team

The web support team, centralized in Dayton, OH works hard to respond to every phone call and email in a timely manner. The team is trained to handle any situation with the local office’s websites and if it is outside of the marketing department, they will happily find someone that can better assist you. Website updates are reviewed to ensure that the proper message is communicated to consumer, and we help franchisees make the most of their online marketing.

Also, the team is constantly updating their social media channels to provide you with better resources to better your growing business! From how to market your employment application to shine light on your recent food drive, the marketing team is here to help you succeed in every way possible.

Members

A unique aspect of CK Franchising is the Members Page. Each franchisee has an account and the resources are endless! From monthly News You Can Use articles that focus on Senior and caregiver issues to a Human Resource page that answers any possible HR question you could have. Members also provides different training opportunities that help to enrich clients’ lives, and help keep them living as independent as possible. Franchisees are never alone when it comes to news about the health care industry because of the research and time put into every aspect of the Members site.

From left, Charles Ritchey, Owner, Phyllis Eiring, Director of Human Resources, Heather Warble, Owner, and Kristen Allen, Direct of Marketing and Public Relations

Charles Ritchey and Heather Warble recently opened a Comfort Keepers^® in Sykesville, Maryland and have not had a single regret! With a combination of over 45 years in the long term health care, they found it easy to transition into in-home health care. They researched franchises and selected Comfort Keepers because they saw the opportunity to personalize their franchise just as many other Comfort Keepers franchisees do. They liked the solidity of Comfort Keepers’ long history and they felt Comfort Keepers provided all resources they needed to make their business successful, right at their fingertips.

“I thought the knowledge of each state’s regulations was important for the franchise company to be aware of in order to better assist the growth of our franchise,” said Heather. “Comfort Keepers has the knowledge researched and easily accessible for their franchisees.”

On the other end of the spectrum, the in-home care business has been full of pleasant surprises for Heather! Heather loves being able to help caregivers provide her clients with the best possible care.

“I never thought that with my background in business and finance that I could have such compassion toward my caregivers and clients,” said Heather. “Seeing what I can do for everyone makes me feel so happy,” said Heather.

Help us to wish congratulations to Charles and Heather and the entire staff of Sykesville, Maryland! To learn more about how they are helping Seniors in their area visit their website.

Comfort Keepers^® welcomes one of our newest franchise offices in North Virginia Beach. Owner, Susan Reid recently opened the office and she is a nurse with 20 years of healthcare sales and marketing experience.

Owner Susan Reid with General Manager Garrett Reid

“After taking care of my own parents, I realized there was a real need in the community for quality, nonmedical care for seniors who were most comfortable staying in their own homes,” said Susan. She had always wanted to own her own business and with her nursing background, the need for senior home care and that entrepreneurial desire culminated in Susan’s search to find an in-home care franchise that fit her ideal business model and work ethics.

Susan discovered Comfort Keepers through Entrepreaner.com and Kiplinger.com. While she considered the stable ratings, it was the testimonials of other Comfort Keepers Franchise owners that really sealed the deal for her.

The article that Susan initially read about Comfort Keepers on Entrepreneur.com can be found at http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/comfortkeepers/282228-0.html

Welcome Susan Reid and the entire staff of Comfort Keepersof North Virginia Beach! To learn more about how they are helping Seniors in their area, visit their website. 

Comfort Keepers^® of Kingsport, Tennessee Awarded 2012 KOSBE for Business Excellence

Congratulations to Comfort Keepers^® of Kingsport, TN for recently winning the 2012 Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) Business Excellence Award! Comfort Keepers won the award for “Small Businesses with Over 10 Employees” from among 36 area small businesses competing for awards in 10 categories. Selections were made based on customer relationship strategy, story of success overcoming adversity, community involvement, financial strength, marketing creativity and strategies for growth.

Comfort Keepers employs 45 caregivers who provide companionship, personal care, in-home safety solutions and non-medical support and services that improve the lives of area seniors and enable independent living at home. Owner, Linda Bambino, believes that Comfort Keepers was successful not only because of the services they offer but also because of the personal care and compassion the staff uses when interacting with their clients.

The KOSBE is awarded by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with East Tennessee State University and partnership with the Tennessee Small Business Development Centers. KOSBE strives to be the go-to organization for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships.

To be nominated for the awards, qualifying businesses must have been in operation for one-two years and also present their credentials to the KOSBE Board of directors. This was the 18th year for the awards which were presented on December 6, 2012 at the Ridgefields Country Club in Kingsport, TN.

Please help us congratulate the entire Kingsport office! 

We are pleased to welcome Reavelle Stephenson, one of our newest Comfort Keepers’^® franchise owners. Soon, she will be offering compassionate, loving care in two new U.S. markets: Talladega and Tuscaloosa, AL. Tuscaloosa will be opening soon and Talladega will be opening at the beginning of 2013.

Pictured here with Reavelle is John Nixon, her close friend and business partner. John is a Birmingham native with a strong business background. John worked many years in a successful family business and recently retired from the Alabama Public Service Commission.

Born To Keep

Reavelle Stephenson is a self-proclaimed “Natural Helper.” She was indoctrinated into a life of community service through stories her father told about his days as an EKG tech who passionately served our veterans. She has also been an entrepreneur for a large portion of her life, having owned three different franchise brands spanning as far back as the ‘70’s.

Keeping in the Clouds

It wasn’t until she began working with Delta Airlines, though, that she realized her passion for assisting the elderly. “I could always be found pushing wheelchairs and making sure the elderly made their flights on time. It was just natural for me. Working in Human Resources for so many years made it easy for me to just make sure people’s needs were met.” She worked in Delta’s Sky Club program; it’s an award-winning retreat that allows relaxation, giving travelers the opportunity to enjoy their various complimentary amenities, served as they wait at the airport.

Her kindness can even be felt over the phone as she is soft-spoken and seemingly unaware of the effect she has had on so many lives over the years. “It just became a way of life, working with my Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and my public service work with The Links, Inc. I have remained very active in community service projects over the years.” 

Finders Keepers

While shopping for her home, Reavelle picked up an Entrepreneur magazine and found an ad for Comfort Keepers. Becoming her own boss seemed like the perfect career opportunity as she’s currently raising her grandchild and didn’t like the hours of standard employment. “It didn’t leave me anytime to spend with her [granddaughter]; I wouldn’t make it home until after 10pm!” She missed the flexibility and freedom that self-employment offered; the decision was a no-brainer! She’d been friends with another Franchisee of Comfort Keepers for over 20 years and decided to give her a call to see how she could get started on her new journey! She began her training online, but admits the information didn’t gel together until she attended her “New Franchisee” training in Ohio. “They just made it so easy to understand. I was able to take what I’d been learning online and see it right before me; that made it all worth it! The training was just phenomenal,” she said.

One of her favorite quotes to live by is, “Treat people the way that you would want to be treated.” That definitely seems to sum up the heart of someone who lives to serve others. We are proud to have Reavelle join us and wish her the best of luck in her endeavor!