Lou Romano Jr. earned his MBA from Iona College, New York, then followed a corporate path, working in the pharmaceutical industry and specializing in prescription marketing campaigns. But an entrepreneurial spirit compelled him to seek opportunities to own his own business. By Cindy Charette
by Jill Abrahamsen
After 18 years on the road in sales and business development, George Sanchez was ready to spend more time with his family and enjoy a more meaningful career. So Sanchez sold his business and invested in an existing BrightStar Care® franchise, which provides in-home health care in Austin, Texas. “I looked at hundreds of options in all different areas, but BrightStar Care made the most sense,” he says. “There is a never-ending demand for this service, and you can truly make a difference.”
After caring for elderly parents, Sanchez had firsthand knowledge of what quality care looks like. “I understand the value of the service we provide. I know what it means when a caregiver doesn’t show up or isn’t a good fit. We strive to give our customers the very best service. I’ll only hire people whom I would send to care for my own family.”
With more than 200 employees, Sanchez has tripled the business since he bought it in 2013. “The first few years weren’t easy. I had to invest to grow, but it was well worth it. We have a great team and a thriving business now.”
The best part for Sanchez is giving back, both directly and indirectly. Besides the gratification of helping clients every day, he and his staff are very involved in the community and raise money for charitable organizations.
Sanchez loves getting to know his patients and their families. He recently paid tribute to client Dr. John McKetta, a chemical engineering legend and professor at the University of Texas. Drawing on his artistic talents, Sanchez sculpted and presented a bronze bust to McKetta on his 103rd birthday, just a few months before his death. “It was a great way to pay tribute to a man who has given so much to the world,” he says.
Sanchez’s passion has been a driving force in the success of his business. In 2018 his location was honored with the Best of the Best Home Healthcare Award by Austin’s American-Statesman electronic newspaper. “Owning this business has been great on so many levels,” he says.
For more information, call (877) 689-6898 or visit www.franchise.brightstarcare.com.
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by Jill Abrahamsen
After 18 years on the road in sales and business development, George Sanchez was ready to spend more time with his family and enjoy a more meaningful career. So Sanchez sold his business and invested in an existing BrightStar Care® franchise, which provides in-home health care in Austin, Texas. “I looked at hundreds of options in all different areas, but BrightStar Care made the most sense,” he says. “There is a never-ending demand for this service, and you can truly make a difference.”
After caring for elderly parents, Sanchez had firsthand knowledge of what quality care looks like. “I understand the value of the service we provide. I know what it means when a caregiver doesn’t show up or isn’t a good fit. We strive to give our customers the very best service. I’ll only hire people whom I would send to care for my own family.”
With more than 200 employees, Sanchez has tripled the business since he bought it in 2013. “The first few years weren’t easy. I had to invest to grow, but it was well worth it. We have a great team and a thriving business now.”
The best part for Sanchez is giving back, both directly and indirectly. Besides the gratification of helping clients every day, he and his staff are very involved in the community and raise money for charitable organizations.
Sanchez loves getting to know his patients and their families. He recently paid tribute to client Dr. John McKetta, a chemical engineering legend and professor at the University of Texas. Drawing on his artistic talents, Sanchez sculpted and presented a bronze bust to McKetta on his 103rd birthday, just a few months before his death. “It was a great way to pay tribute to a man who has given so much to the world,” he says.
Sanchez’s passion has been a driving force in the success of his business. In 2018 his location was honored with the Best of the Best Home Healthcare Award by Austin’s American-Statesman electronic newspaper. “Owning this business has been great on so many levels,” he says.
For more information, call (877) 689-6898 or visit www.franchise.brightstarcare.com.
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by Jill Abrahamsen
A combination of fate, life experience, and passion brought Susan Amos and J’annine Sullivan together as business partners. As the owners of Senior Helpers in Lafayette, LA, the women are passionate about what they do. “We love the elderly,” Sullivan says. They believe in their business and feel strongly about the service they provide. “At the end of the day, it’s a great feeling to know that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life,” Sullivan adds.
The partners’ journey into business ownership started with a common passion. Sullivan and Amos were volunteers at the Alzheimer’s Association in their hometown of Lafayette. Because each had a parent who suffered with the disease, the women had firsthand knowledge of the strain and struggles that families experience when caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
Seeing the passion that Sullivan had for her volunteer work, Amos approached her to go into partnership when she had the opportunity to purchase an existing Senior Helpers franchise. “I was already retired. It was never my plan to open a business, but I felt like God was telling me, ‘I have a purpose for you,’ ” Sullivan says. As partners, divvying up responsibilities wasn’t an issue. With a strong marketing and sales background, Amos was well-suited to promote the business and develop relationships. Drawing on her management experience, Sullivan runs the daily operations and goes into the field to make sure quality care is being delivered. “At the core, we have the same morals, mission, and values. That’s why we make a great team,” Sullivan says.
When you love what you do, success comes easily. The pair took over the existing location in November of 2017, and it has since more than tripled in size. “Our office was ranked No. 4 in total company increase this period—2017 vs. 2018—out of 283 franchises,” Amos says. Senior Helpers recognized their efforts with its President’s Award, which included a trip to Ireland that they plan to take in May.
But it’s not the bottom line that drives Sullivan and Amos. They are passionate about serving their clients and the community. “I’ve been in this business for a long time. J’annine and I purchased Senior Helpers because we want to provide a different experience in home care. We’ve done that for our clients,” says Amos.
For more information, call 877.406.8749 or visit www.seniorhelpersfranchise.com.
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by Jill Abrahamsen
A combination of fate, life experience, and passion brought Susan Amos and J’annine Sullivan together as business partners. As the owners of Senior Helpers in Lafayette, LA, the women are passionate about what they do. “We love the elderly,” Sullivan says. They believe in their business and feel strongly about the service they provide. “At the end of the day, it’s a great feeling to know that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life,” Sullivan adds.
The partners’ journey into business ownership started with a common passion. Sullivan and Amos were volunteers at the Alzheimer’s Association in their hometown of Lafayette. Because each had a parent who suffered with the disease, the women had firsthand knowledge of the strain and struggles that families experience when caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
Seeing the passion that Sullivan had for her volunteer work, Amos approached her to go into partnership when she had the opportunity to purchase an existing Senior Helpers franchise. “I was already retired. It was never my plan to open a business, but I felt like God was telling me, ‘I have a purpose for you,’ ” Sullivan says. As partners, divvying up responsibilities wasn’t an issue. With a strong marketing and sales background, Amos was well-suited to promote the business and develop relationships. Drawing on her management experience, Sullivan runs the daily operations and goes into the field to make sure quality care is being delivered. “At the core, we have the same morals, mission, and values. That’s why we make a great team,” Sullivan says.
When you love what you do, success comes easily. The pair took over the existing location in November of 2017, and it has since more than tripled in size. “Our office was ranked No. 4 in total company increase this period—2017 vs. 2018—out of 283 franchises,” Amos says. Senior Helpers recognized their efforts with its President’s Award, which included a trip to Ireland that they plan to take in May.
But it’s not the bottom line that drives Sullivan and Amos. They are passionate about serving their clients and the community. “I’ve been in this business for a long time. J’annine and I purchased Senior Helpers because we want to provide a different experience in home care. We’ve done that for our clients,” says Amos.
For more information, call 877.406.8749 or visit www.seniorhelpersfranchise.com.
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