Lori and Biju Kewalram began their life together by building a software company from the ground up in Australia. Eventually, they exited their start-up, and the husband-and-wife team moved to Long Beach to set up a local company’s software development arm. After their move to California, Lori was faced with hospice care for her mother and, later, home care for her father. Those experiences gave Lori a deeper understanding of the home care industry and left a lasting impression. By Kelsi Trinidad
Lori and Biju Kewalram began their life together by building a software company from the ground up in Australia. Eventually, they exited their start-up, and the husband-and-wife team moved to Long Beach to set up a local company’s software development arm. After their move to California, Lori was faced with hospice care for her mother and, later, home care for her father. Those experiences gave Lori a deeper understanding of the home care industry and left a lasting impression.
Eleven years passed, and Lori knew her time working in corporate America was coming to an end. She knew she wanted to return to the service industry, and her experience getting her father into home care after her mother passed had shaped her views about caring for those in need.
“They had been married 67 years, and he ended up having a stroke and various health issues, but getting someone in to help him just opened his world back up,” said Lori. “So, when I started thinking about making a change, I thought about this industry, knowing how it had helped him.”
Lori knew she wanted to be part of the home care industry but felt she didn’t know enough to start a business from scratch. Both Biju and Lori began searching for something that fit their needs and came across BrightStar Care®. In addition to the company’s reputation and experience, what really stood out was the quality of care it provides.
Knowing they’d need the guidance of a franchisor, BrightStar Care checked all their boxes. They received an opportunity to buy an existing franchise location in Huntington Beach, California, and it seemed like a solid option to get started with an established staff and client list.
Initially, Biju continued working his corporate job while the franchise location got up and running under new management, but as of last year, he joined Lori full time as Chief Strategy Officer.
“I really like what we provide to the community,” said Lori. “BrightStar is a higher standard of care, and I truly believe that we do that.”
Kelsi Trinidad