Duration: 14m 32s
Description
Join Jen Chaney, CFE, Vice President of Franchise Development as she speaks with Pilar Suarez, a franchisee with Right at Home. Pilar shares the experiences she encountered in the franchise process, as well as discusses the importance of doing your research, the ongoing support and coaching calls received from corporate and the help Right at Home provides to franchise owners to ensure their success. Pilar emphasizes the value of a strong support system and the need for ongoing communication to overcome obstacles along the way.
Previous Background
Pilar Suarez has been a franchise owner for almost nine years with Right at Home and owns a franchise located in Rhome, Texas, north/northwest of Dallas. Pilar and her husband are originally from Bogota, Colombia, and she was working at a telecommunications company. About ten years ago, they started thinking about owning their own business.
Why Right at Home?
Pilar had the opportunity to come to the United States as a teenager and had the chance to work as a caregiver while going to school at Colorado State University. That set the stage and provided her with knowledge about the caregiving industry. They also wanted to give their children the chance to grow up somewhere else, open their horizons, and view different cultures. When they decided to have a business in America, through their attorney, they met with a franchise broker who analyzed their profiles, and backgrounds. He suggested three business options that they could utilize to be able to come and start their lives in America. Based on her caregiver experience and her business administration background, they selected Right at Home.
Making the Decision
Pilar said that the territory offered to them by Right at Home was amazing. Plus, her parents were already living in Texas, so it was a great choice for them. Plus Right at Home accepted E2 Visa owners.
The E2 Visa Process
Jen Chaney, VP of Franchise Development, notes that Right at Home is an E2 Visa-friendly business, having several owners who have joined Right at Home via that process. Pilar continues that she was very impressed with Right at Home since there are not a lot of companies or franchise companies that actually offer the process of going through an E2 visa. There is also the concern that it can be equally a bit longer process, but Right at Home walked them through the whole process and was very patient.
A Typical Day
Pilar discusses that when they started the business, they both had to wear many hats. She was doing all the operations, payroll, billing, hiring, recruiting, and training. Her business partner was doing all the marketing, such as meeting with all the referral sources, and getting their name out. Since they have been in business for almost nine years, she has been able to grow her office staff. She has an amazing team of seven people. She selected people who were already working with her as caregivers, to allow them to grow in the company. In the early years, Pilar was working in the business. Now she is working on the business.
Most Valuable Support
As far as support, quarterly calls with her business coach, who was provided by the franchisor, were amazing, notes Pilar, as well as joining the performance groups. Pilar added that the performance groups keep them accountable. Plus, meeting with peers who are doing exactly the same helps her with developing different ideas or finding new answers or solutions to issues. The support of the system has been amazing and very important to Pilar. Jen explains that Performance Groups contain about six to ten other franchise owners, where you meet and share your financial data with the group. The group of owners then work together on finding best practices to help you move the needle.
Advice to a Prospective Franchisee
Pilar noted that it was very important to research and investigate your territory and get all the demographic census. Do this business because you want to make a difference and you want to give back to others. You are going to have stressful days as a business owner, but remind yourself of the big goal… why am I doing this. Pilar added that she feels very blessed to be living in the United States. Make sure you find what makes you happy.
Interested in franchise opportunities in Texas, click here.
If you would like to listen to other franchise owners’ stories, click the links below:
Meet the Family | Rob and Susan Brown
Meet the Family | Jobin Mathai
Meet the Family | Sandi Heintz
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