In a recent episode of “Meet the Zee,” hosted by 1851 Franchise publisher Nick Powills, Right at Home franchisee Ken Helmuth shared his powerful story of transition, growth, and purpose. Helmuth, a former pharmaceutical and medical device sales leader, now operates multiple Right at Home territories in Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham. But his journey into franchising didn’t start with a plan — it started with a layoff.
“Losing my job was the best thing that ever happened to me,” Helmuth told Powills. After building a successful career, he found himself unexpectedly unemployed in 2013. That moment, though jarring, opened the door to something more fulfilling: business ownership.
“I wasn’t looking to start a business,” he said. “But after clicking a link about franchising, I received a hundred emails. I answered two — and one of them led me to Right at Home.”
Helmuth was drawn to Right at Home not just because of the brand’s mission, but because his first opportunity was a resale — a location already in operation. That gave him the foundation to take a leap of faith. “I knew health care. I knew people. I didn’t know senior care. But the system was strong, and I had the chance to build something.”
Personal Purpose Meets Business Performance
Despite not having a deeply personal caregiving story, Helmuth quickly fell in love with the work. “We send strangers into people’s homes to do very personal things — helping them age in place with dignity,” he said. “It’s the most personal business you can be in.”
Helmuth’s story highlights how the strength of the Right at Home model allowed him to translate his leadership and people skills into a thriving enterprise. Now, with over a decade of experience, he’s proud to have built a business that prioritizes both client care and caregiver satisfaction.
“We’ve created a culture where our caregivers love coming to work,” Helmuth said. With caregiver retention often cited as a top challenge in the industry, his results speak volumes: over half of his caregivers have been with him for more than a year. That’s due in part to a committed office staff, many of whom have been with the company for 6-10 years.
Building for the Future
Helmuth isn’t slowing down. With an eye toward the future, he’s implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to drive strategic growth. His goal? Expand his Charlotte territory to match the scale of Raleigh-Durham and continue transitioning from working in the business to working on it.
He advises prospective franchisees to do their research and trust the system. “Not all franchises are created equal. Right at Home treated me like family from day one, and the support they provide — especially in the early stages — is unmatched.”
When asked about his north star, Helmuth summed it up simply: “I want to keep building a business that makes a real difference. One that helps people live better lives. And I want to give my team the tools and space to thrive.”
To those on the fence about taking the leap into franchising, Helmuth says: “There’s no silver bullet. But if you trust your gut and surround yourself with the right people, you’ll figure it out. I never wanted to feel the way I felt when I lost my job again — and now, I never will.”
To read a full transcript of Powills’ interview with Ken Helmuth, click here. You can find out more details about Ken’s background, why he selected Right at Home, as well as some advice he has for prospective franchisees. It has been edited for brevity, clarity, and style.
If you’re interested in taking the next step in making a difference in your community as a Right at Home franchisee, visit https://rightathomefranchise.com/.
If you are interested in franchise opportunities, visit our available territories map.
If you want to read about other Right at Home franchise owners, visit us at Franchisee Interviews.
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About Right at Home
Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated, and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a client’s home. Right at Home’s global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 750 franchise locations in the U.S. and four other countries. If you are interested in learning more or in owning a Right at Home franchise, please visit us at: https://rightathomefranchise.com/ or to read more about franchise ownership, visit our blog at: https://rightathomefranchise.com/forc/
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