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. 

I’m thrilled to announce Comfort Keepers^® was just named the #1 franchise business in Senior Care by Entrepreneur magazine. This prestigious award is a strong testament for our proven franchise system. At Comfort Keepers, we strive to provide the best business model for today’s entrepreneur. Business in America changes every day, but the foundation and fundamentals that lead to success remain the same, and those will always remain the focus for Comfort Keepers.

In addition to ranking #1 in our category, Comfort Keepers was also named #59 out of a total of 500 U.S. companies across all industries. This is a monumental achievement. Entrepreneur has been hosting these awards for 34 years and we’ve been recognized consistently since 2003. In fact, take a look at our steady climb to the top over the past five years:

Franchise 500®: #59 (2013), #60 (2012), #62 (2011), #67 (2010), #92 (2009), #97 (2008)

There are many business features that set us apart from our competition, but a few I truly value. First and foremost, our business support—we offer extensive training and ensure franchisees are fully prepared before starting their businesses. Additionally, we offer business coaches, staff support and other resources to help continue guiding our franchise owners. Our proven business model is what separates Comfort Keepers from others, making it the ideal franchise option in the senior care industry. At the heart of it all, a Comfort Keepers franchise contributes to the vitality of the community by supporting families with elder care. We’re thankful to have received this award from Entrepreneur and will continue to help seniors to stay independent in the comfort of their own homes.

Jim C. Brown, CFE
Vice President Franchise Development
Comfort Keepers/CK Franchising, Inc.

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!

Atlantic City Gets In-Home Care Franchise

What motivates an individual to purchase their own business? Is it the life-changing experience of becoming your own boss, or perhaps the potential financial benefits of owning a successful business? For many entrepreneurs these two factors may have lead them to begin their own business, but for Kelly Marrero the decision to become a Comfort Keepers® franchise owner was a much more personal one.

Not too long ago, Kelly’s mother was unable to safely live on her own and was placed into a nursing home that Kelley thought she could trust with her mother’s health – she was wrong. Within three weeks her health declined, eventually leading to a stroke. The staff at the nursing home made little effort to improve her mother’s condition and soon after her stroke, Kelly’s mother passed away.

“With one, maybe two nurses per 10-12 seniors, seniors are given hardly any attention by nurses who don’t seem to even care,” said Kelly, “I feel that the elderly deserve to be treated with more respect and dignity to live safely in the comfort of their own home.”

This difficult experience not only opened her eyes to the potential risks of a nursing home, but to a field in which she could make a real difference by providing quality in-home care to those who need it  …which is something that Comfort Keepers is known for. Witnessing first-hand the impact that living in a nursing home can have on a senior’s health was enough for Kelly to make her final decision in purchasing a Comfort Keepers franchise.

“In order to have a fighting chance, you almost have to buy into a franchise model,” explained Kelly. “You are given ongoing support and training, competition is limited, and there is a much higher likelihood of success than starting your own business from the ground up.”

Along with ongoing support from CK Franchising Inc., Kelly has experienced an overwhelming amount of support from the surrounding Comfort Keepers offices in New Jersey. “They welcomed me with open arms and provided our office with anything and everything we needed,” Kelly said. Because of her recent purchase in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Comfort Keepers now has 23 offices in New Jersey providing compassionate, loving in-home care. Her offices are in the southeast part of the state, servicing Atlantic City, Pomona, Woodbine, Dennisville, Cape May, and other local communities in Atlantic County and Cape May County. In only two weeks, Kelly is proud to say that she is already providing full-time in-home care for several clients in New Jersey.

Waller Gets In-Home Care Franchise

Stressed out, dissatisfied, anxious and sick of working for someone else – described the life of Jackie Diaz while working as a general manager at a local fast food restaurant. Unhappy with the direction her professional career had taken in the past2years, she was ready for a change. One day her daughter, home on spring break from Chicago, gave her Mom the same advice she had gotten from Jackie, “Do something about it or quit complaining.” This reminder was just what Jackie needed to take action.

Remembering Comfort Keepers from research for her own parents yrs before she decided to investigate Comfort Keepers®; an in-home care service provider known for its reputation of on-going support to its franchisees in a booming industry. “What really grabbed my attention was their Interactive Caregiving® philosophy,” Jackie said. “I became inspired and fell in love with what they believe in.”

Of course Comfort Keepers wasn’t her only option. During her research and throughout the decision making process, Jackie investigated several other organizations in the in-home care industry as well as other industries. However, for Jackie the decision to invest in a Comfort Keepers franchise became obvious. “I especially enjoyed working with the Comfort Keepers recruiting team,”, Jackie said, “They helped make it a comfortable, natural decision that we felt great about once everything was said and done.”

Just four months ago Jackie was a general manager at a fast food restaurant. Now, she is an owner of a Comfort Keepers franchise, making a difference in the rural area she calls home by providing local residents with professional, compassionate and loving in-home care. In this very brief period, Jackie has completely turned her life around as a proud and successful owner of a Comfort Keepers office in Waller, Texas.

Did you know… in-home senior care is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States? The desire for seniors to age independently in the comfort of their own home is becoming a popular idea among seniors and their loved ones. As the idea of being placed in a nursing home quickly dies, more and more families turn to organizations like Comfort Keepers^®, which they can trust to provide the highest level of quality of in-home care for their loved ones.

In addition, the senior population grows each year which creates even more of a demand for senior care. This can be attributed to an increase in life expectancy, advances in medicine and technology, and the aging “Baby Boomer” generation. This continuing growth in the senior population, along with seniors’ strong desire to age in their own homes has brought the in-home senior care industry to a whole new level.

Population 65+ by Age: 1900-2050

As you can imagine, demand for senior care has a positive correlation with the rise of the senior population. Here are some quick statistics about our industry and our company:

• There were 40.3 Million U.S. citizens 65 and older in 2010
• The senior population is projected to reach 55 Million in 2020
• 49% of those 85 and older need personal care
• Less than 25% of the market share owned by the 50 largest brands
• 1 Million people are employed by home health care companies
• $46 Billion in revenues of the home health care industry
• 650+ U.S. Comfort Keepers territories, currently
• 350+ U.S. Comfort Keepers territories, still available!

Comfort Keepers is focused on addressing the needs of seniors as they age. “With the ‘graying’ of America, more and more seniors wish to stay independent and remain in the privacy of their own homes” says Larry France, Manager of Franchise Development at CK Franchising. “Comfort Keepers offers rewarding franchise opportunities in a booming industry where you can make a difference in your community while controlling your own future.”

Comfort Keepers currently has opportunities in:

• Miami,FL;
• Portland,OR;
• Seattle,WA;
• San Francisco,CA;
• Chicago,IL.; and
• Many other territories throughout theUnited States!

Maybe caring for people in their home is the future you’ve been looking for! Visit franchise.comfortkeepers.com to learn more about Comfort Keepers franchise opportunities.

Really liked this post http://www.salesandmanagement.com/resources/ArticleFolder/MSArticle.htm .  Think it’s very succinct and, in very few words, provides a lot of value.   Beneficial whether you own a senior care franchise or a multi-national business. 

Below is my summary of the article:

First,  the business has to know what it stands for, why it is here.  That is step one.  Define the business vision.  

Step two is completing an internal audit of the strengths within the business – do those strengths align and support the business vision?

Step three is to reach out to your external customers and find out  if  their perception of the business matches up with the vision and strengths? 

If internal and external perceptions match – it is time to move to Step Four and prepare a Business Strategy.   

The final two pieces are offshoots of the Business Strategy.  Step five is developing a communications plan (marketing)  and step six is developing a sales management plan (sales). 

Cutting to the chase, this high level plan can help provide focus to drive business growth and development in a franchise organization.   Good suggestions and process!

Comfort Keepers is pleased to announce that Tim Purcey, COO of CK Franchising Inc., the franchisor of Comfort Keepers, has been elected as the NPDA president-elect.  In his role, he will help guide the NPDA and will assume the role as president following the 2012 NPDA Annual Meeting / Conference.

NPDA, National Private Duty Association, is the nation’s first association for providers of private duty home care, which includes non-medical home care services.  The NPDA is the recognized resource for information and definition of private duty home care practice, supported by a strong national membership of providers.

 Aging of America – The Facts

• In 2011, more than 8,000 people will turn 65 every day. By the end of that year the senior population of America will reach almost 49 million. By 2025, it will grow to nearly 72 million.  (Source: The Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department)
• Several studies have found that the overwhelming majority of seniors – 89 percent, according to an AARP survey, for example – want to age in their own homes for as long as possible.  (Source: AARP survey) 
• The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population age 85 and over could grow from 5.3 million in 2006 to nearly 21 million by 2050.  (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)
• Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19.0 years (20.3 years for females and 17.4 years for males).   (Source: Administration on Aging)

The NPDA currently represents more than 1,200 member organizations throughout the United States that provide private pay in-home care services for the elderly and disabled.

Tim has been active on several NPDA committees for the past eight years and has served on the Board of Directors for two and a half years.