This content was originally published by 1851 Franchise. To read the full article, visit https://1851franchise.com/rightathome/right-at-home-franchisee-edward-wilson-st-louis-2730616#stories.
Ed Wilson spent more than 15 years working in commercial real estate and finance. As his career progressed, he began to look for a change that would allow him to use his management experience in a business with a stronger community focus.
That search led him to franchising, where he saw the benefit of operating within an established system while maintaining control over daily operations. After researching several options, Wilson chose Right at Home, an in-home care franchise with more than 750 locations. The company’s focus on dependable service and professional care aligned with his professional standards and personal goals.
Wilson now owns three Right at Home territories in the St. Louis area. He focuses on building strong operations, supporting his employees, and maintaining consistent, high-quality service for clients.
1851 Franchise spoke to Wilson about his journey and plans for the future. Here’s what he had to say:
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Ed Wilson: I was in a corporate finance role for about 15 years, specifically in commercial real estate. It was a great experience, but ultimately, I needed something else — something more fulfilling that would make an impact in the community and directly impact people’s lives. That was very important to me.
I also had entrepreneurship on my mind. At my old firm, I was a director of investor relations and talked to a lot of small business owners who had done really well for themselves. That seemed to be a recurring theme. I always knew at some point that I wanted to own my own business. I had no idea what it would be or what type of business. When I started that journey, I didn’t think I would get into in-home care, but the more I looked into it, it just checked all the boxes for me. The most important box was having that impact in the community and on individual lives. I found that to be so fulfilling — and here we are.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Wilson: It was the shared core values. Meeting the folks there and talking with them after exploring a lot of other businesses, I just felt those same values that I hold dear. I think they do a great job of displaying their core values, and they’re very genuine. They do what they say they will do and mean what they say, and that’s very important to me.
As I visited their corporate office and had numerous calls with the team, it became abundantly clear that it was a great fit for me. We just kept going down that path, and I’m very happy to have joined the network. I’m very thankful.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?
Wilson: I would say take your time and do your due diligence. Start by making a list of priorities of what really matters to you. Think about your lifestyle, the industry, the hours you want to work, and how much time you’re willing to dedicate. Start from within and map out what that looks like for you, what your ideal situation would be, and then find industries that check those boxes and align with that vision.
Make sure you do your homework and find franchisors that share your core values. Talk to other owners, too. The best insights I got during my research came from conversations with current franchisees. You quickly get a good sense of how supportive the franchisor is toward its owners. Then ask yourself if you see yourself in their shoes and if that aligns with what you want to do. So, take your time, do your due diligence, and connect with other owners in the network to make sure it’s the right fit for you.
Wilson continues to grow his his network of clients and caregivers to better serve the community. To learn more about franchising opportunities with Right at Home, visit https://rightathomefranchise.com/. To hear from other Right at Home franchisees on their expeirence as an owner, visit our blog.