Meet the Family | Pilar Suarez
Duration: 14m 26s
Description
When Pilar Suarez was going to Colorado State University and applied to be a caregiver in the evenings, she didn’t realize it would be in her future to own her own Right at Home franchise in Tyler, TX. She just knew she had an amazing experience being a caregiver. In her culture, family is very close, and they always took care of their grandparents. She believes that also had a lot to do with buying her franchise. Listen as Pilar and Chuck Prentner, Franchise Development Director, discuss her experiences as a Right at Home franchise owner.
Previous Background
Pilar Suarez came to the United States in 2015 from Columbia. She and her husband wanted to move to Texas where her sister had lived for 20 years. The Suarez family contacted an immigration attorney who advised them to get an E2 Visa, which would allow them to work in the US, invest money, and bring their sons. Pilar received a Business Administrator Bachelor Degree, and met her husband while working in a telecommunications company in Columbia; he had been there for 30 years and she for 10.
Making the Decision
Suarez reviewed three different businesses which included a couple of home care agencies. After researching for about six months, she and her husband decided to go with Right at Home.
A Typical Day
Since the pandemic, Pilar promised to take care of herself, as well. So she starts her day at 6:30 with a treadmill workout and prayers before her boys go to school. She starts work between 8-8:30. Pilar likes to be involved daily in the main items of the office. For example, she does the billing and payroll and meets with her marketing manager every week as well as the rest of her staff weekly. Having a great staff you can count on helps immensely.
Support from Right at Home
Pilar notes that there is much support received from Right at Home. There are five or six other franchisees in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and it’s a really good network of owners. If Pilar has questions, she feels that she could talk to any of them on any day about licensing, best practices, or any other questions. Pilar was asked to be part of the Performance Group, where you meet with fellow franchisees in the area. Being asked to join that group has been life-changing. She learns a lot from the other franchisees, such as additional best practices, and what others are doing in their office, how to develop your business, and she shares her experiences, as well. It’s very collaborative. The business performance coach that Corporate provides to her also helps give her support.
Advice to a Prospective Franchisee
Pilar suggested that you get to know your territory, study your demographics, and make sure you understand how you are going to market your territory. With a rural territory, it’s important to drive it and get familiarized with where your referral sources are going and learn about your competition. The stress you have at the beginning with help you make your business successful. If you are doing things with the right heart, your clients will come to you. Hire staff that has the same values you have, and enjoy caring for others.
If you would like to listen to other franchise owners’ stories, click the links below:
Meet the Family | Chrisy Heiss
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