Known as a visionary with a kind heart, Belina Calderon-Nernberg didn’t have success handed to her on a silver platter. The CEO and founder of 1Heart Caregiver Services spent many years in corporate America after moving from the Philippines. By Brianna Bohn
Known as a visionary with a kind heart, Belina Calderon-Nernberg didn’t have success handed to her on a silver platter. The CEO and founder of 1Heart Caregiver Services spent many years in corporate America after moving from the Philippines. Calderon-Nernberg felt restricted by her job and began navigating the ups and downs of the business world, working toward a rewarding future where she could have a positive impact on her community.
She didn’t realize that her dream would evolve into a successful in-home care agency that assists more than 1,000 seniors every month.
“I came to this country with nothing more than a dream to have a good life. Running my own company made that dream a reality and so much more. 1Heart has given me not only financial freedom but also the feeling of fulfillment knowing that our work touches the lives of many seniors and their families,” she said.
Since opening 1Heart in 2004 and franchising the concept in 2014, Calderon-Nernberg and her team have developed and implemented systems and processes that streamline the franchisee experience, resulting in the high-quality, affordable care for which it strives. For instance, while many in-home care agencies experience difficulty finding reliable, experienced caregivers, 1Heart utilizes its 1Heart Caregiver University to provide continuing education and training to caregivers. Also, the brand’s straightforward model helps franchisees ease into business ownership, and its support team assists in all aspects of operations and management, including recruitment, sales and marketing.
Everything that the 1Heart team does is driven by the brand’s core values of integrity, professionalism and heart, and those values have had a positive impact on clients, caregivers and franchisees alike. With franchisees “providing service with integrity and turning a profit with honor,” Calderon-Nernberg has her eyes set on helping others do the same as well.
“Our brand has made a mark in California, and we are looking to bring our unique and comprehensive system to seniors and entrepreneurs nationwide,” she said. “Our goal is to double our number of locations this year and triple it by next year. By the third year of operations, we would like to see our franchisees exceed a million in sales no matter where their territory is.” Calderon-Nernberg added that the brand has a growing family of franchisees from diverse backgrounds, including musicians, surgeons, corporate ladder climbers and professionals in the E-2 visa program.
All of 1Heart’s efforts and accomplishments – including having multiple locations receive Home Care Pulse’s 2023 Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice awards – are especially noteworthy, considering the in-home care desert that had previously existed.
“When we started franchising seven years ago, the franchise industry was dominated by the big restaurant industry players. The senior care franchise had a few major brands that were spreading across the country. Due to the increasing number of aging boomers and the events over the years that showed this industry to be recession-proof, the senior care business has become a lucrative franchise business. New brands have emerged, and surprisingly, I’ve also seen more women CEOs and top executives in the senior care franchise industry today,” said Calderon-Nernberg.
Looking ahead, the CEO remains dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and improving the treatment and care of seniors in communities across the nation.
Brianna Bohn