Thrive - Connecting Communities through Compassionate Care

Tune in to #Thrive! https://youtu.be/3dTnWoveAMY 

🌱 Episode: Connecting Communities through Compassionate Care

Join us on #ThrivePodcast as Nick Way, Host & Director of Brand Marketing, sits down with Lisa Fausey, a passionate Home Helpers Home Care franchisee. Get an insider's look at the dedication and care that drives the Home Helpers® mission of #MakingLifeEasier for those we serve.

Dive into Lisa's journey, uncovering the impact and personal touch of the home care services her exceptional caregivers provide. Whether you're seeking support for loved ones or considering owning your own franchise, this conversation is a testament to the difference we're making every day.

Learn, be inspired, and explore how together, we can bring more care and compassion into homes across the nation.

#BeYourOwnBoss #BusinessOpportunity #HomeHelpersHomeCare

Transcript

Speaker 1  0:04  
Well, good afternoon, everybody and welcome to another edition of Thrive. I'm very pleased to have a fantastic franchisee in our system. Lisa Fousey. I actually remember Lisa, when you were in training, we both have been here a long time. And I remember you're going through training and it's just really cool to see what you have built. So first off, congratulations. Thank you. And, and I appreciate you taking some time to talk with us on thrive. So please share, you know, as people are listening, please share a little bit about where you're located and how long you've been a franchisee with home helpers. Okay, thanks,

Speaker 2  0:45  
Nick. We are located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, which is a little piece of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, located between Maryland and Virginia. And they call it the four state area here because within about 15 to 20 minutes, you can be in one of four states, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. So that's where we started. And over time, we were able to add some more area in a couple of counties north of us in Maryland. And just recently, we added parts of eight more counties in Virginia. So we're really excited about that. And we opened our first franchise territory in 2016. And within one month, we had our first client, which we were so excited, but not really because it was my great aunt. So we started off caring for family right away. But we're located right here in the eastern panhandle, northern Shenandoah Valley, Western Maryland area, and really happy to be able to serve folks in our local community. Wonderful,

Speaker 1  1:51  
you know? And so you've been doing this, how many years ago was it? We'll

Speaker 2  1:56  
be entering our eighth year, next month in March. Maybe you're amazing.

Speaker 1  1:59  
So please share with us, you know, you've been doing this eight years. What was Lisa doing prior to her time with home helpers professionally?

Speaker 2  2:10  
Well, I've done lots of things over my adult life, most of which was something in the healthcare field from being a nursing assistant. Working in doctors offices, hospitals, long term care, such as communities. How hospice I had five years at our local hospice here in Berkeley County, where I was their first secretary and their first CNA. I also managed a large staffing company in Baltimore, Maryland, when we lived in Maryland for a little bit. And it was the healthcare centric. So we did a lot of per diem nursing, full time placement of top level managers within the hospital systems like MedStar, and University of Maryland. But most recently, when I decided to start looking at a business, I was a digital marketing executive, for a Google premier partner company. And I had been doing that for 10 years quite successfully. And I enjoyed it actually until I didn't.

Speaker 1  3:10  
In what what, you know, so during that time, had you wanted to own a business for a while or what, how did you get to that realization that, you know, I want to do something on my own?

Speaker 2  3:22  
Well, I would say my first decision to to probably do something business wise was actually in high school. I was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. My great aunt, who was my first client at home helpers actually was a business teacher at a high school here in the area. Now she was not my teacher. But she was quite influential in me being interested in business because she taught typing and shorthand. Yes, back in the old days, they did shorthand. I never learned shorthand, but my mother did. But I would say, when I was being a digital marketing executive, I worked with hundreds of business owners throughout our region in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. And I witnessed their level of independence that they would have, they tended to be able to vacation more, they tended to have more frustrations. You know, they tended to enjoy serving the community, no matter what type of a business that was. And I worked with all types of businesses in their digital marketing from large attorney offices to a small local pizza shop, just opening up to hotels that were franchises, you know, to, you know, the local menswear shop or something like that in the area. So I had a big variety of opportunity to learn from business owners, and see where their lack of effort changed their ability to produce. I watched and learned from them quite a bit on how they manage their funds. I watched in learned about hiring. And I've observed a lot over 10 years of working with these business owners, sometimes even startups, one guy even named his business for him. You know, he was a moving company, and we helped him grow exponentially. I have a friend who has a hair salon in the area. And she had acquired a use salon that was owned by someone else. And then she grew that and expanded it. And then he went, eventually went on to buy her own building and build that out into her own salon. And I thought, you know, if she can do this, why can't I do this? Well, my husband and I actually opened another business before home helpers. So he had an interest in pest control. So my husband opened a company called American pest control was not a franchise. But I helped him a little bit with that I learned about how to use the Small Business Administration, how to use our Secretary of State's office, how to set up our taxes and everything. And so I learned quite a bit about that, from him, and from that whole process. And then when it came time that I was truly burnt out in my digital advertising career, and I felt like I was exhausted there. I decided it was time to truly move forward on this wish. And that's whenever I started figuring out what I wanted to do.

Speaker 1  6:24  
Very cool, you know, and I want to take a moment for our listeners to to just meant to bring up what you mentioned about the SBA, most, or a lot of people I should say, know that the SBA provides funding and for small business loans, that's kind of what comes to mind. There, they have a lot of really great resources for small business owners outside of funding, one of which is the Small Business SBDC Small Business Development Center. And for folks listening, that is a resource of business professionals that volunteer their time to help with business planning, business advice, etc. They have courses that there's a lot that aren't, don't have a cost to them. So check out your local chapter of your SBDC. It is it is tied to the SBA, it has some really great content. I've sat in on some other their courses in the past, so I just wanted to put that in there too.

Speaker 2  7:18  
I will also throw a little something else to that, Nick. They will also help us with registering as a minority owned business, or women owned, or veteran owned business as well.

Speaker 1  7:30  
Wonderful. I appreciate that. Thank you, Lisa. So so when you were so you've had this the seed planted through your you know, for a while and your husband's business? Was homecare, the first industry you had thought about? or were there other industries you were looking into simultaneously? What led you to choose homecare?

Speaker 2  7:52  
Well, homecare was not my first idea. Honestly, it was not, I wanted to open a small women's clothing boutique in our area. And the more I thought about that, I thought about the pitfalls of you know, theft, inventory, pricing strategies that I really was not familiar with. And, and I couldn't employ very many people that way. I really look at us as being a larger employer in the small business realm at our location. So I focused a lot on employment. So then I thought, Well, how about real estate? I love houses, I love looking at houses I love. I would love showing houses. But then I thought, but then I have to crawl on a crawlspace maybe and go up in the attic. And all those steps. Oh my gosh, I don't want to do that I have to work every weekend. So I said no to the real estate option. Well, then I felt like let me start looking at a franchise because franchises are actually quite successful. Typically, they have more longevity. I watched a lot of businesses open and close over the years. Excuse me, and I thought let me start looking at franchises. So I started looking at things like those little you know how to like a Jiffy Lube, but not a Jiffy Lube. Like a quick lube type pipe of a store, I started looking at those. We don't have very many of those in our area. So I thought about that. And I thought well, that's kind of a man's world and I definitely don't want to get my fingers dirty. So I had nixed that idea. And I looked at a couple of other affordable type of franchises that are out there unit cleaning is really big industrial cleaning, things of that nature. But then I thought about all the other pitfalls to that. So I'm always weighing the pros and cons. So I kept coming back to home care. I kept seeing as I was looking for franchise brands, I kept coming back through them. And so I talked to three different brands actually. Um, I don't know if you all knew that, but I did. I talked to two of our peers and home helpers. And I kept gravitating back toward home helpers, I have to tell you, Bobby Kelly was very instrumental in that. Bobby's my pal, and his enthusiasm for the brand. And I like to be enthusiastic. I come from the Mary Kay Cosmetics world of enthusiasm. So, you know if you can see my background, the pink thing, think pink wall, and you know, and all that kind of stuff. So Bobby was very enthusiastic for me. And he was also very patient with me. And that was really important to me, as I was going through all of this, and he answered every question really well. And I kind of had the ball dropped on one of the other brands, they did not continue to follow up with me, because I was slow to make decisions. This was a big change. For me, I had a really good income in a good field that I did like, but I was getting burnout in. And so that's why I ended up kind of coming and sticking with home helpers along the path. They just stayed with me. And I felt that they offered what I wanted. And franchising, I felt would be a more secure way for me to enter the home care space. Because you get so much support, you get not only support from people like you and Bobby and others that within our brand family. But if I did it all by myself, I would have to figure all that out on my own. And I'm not an expert in I'm not a lawyer, I'm not an accountant. You know, I'm just a gal who wants to help people. And so I figured if I went with that franchise, in home helpers, that it would help you tremendously and has wonderful,

Speaker 1  11:34  
wonderful, you know, and I think that's a big part of franchising that I've learned to just to echo what you're saying, Lisa is, we think about the hard you know, differentiators on paper. But so much of it really is the intangible, the people supporting you, you know, in the in the in the other franchisees, which are just great resources come from different backgrounds, like you're saying, and can really help you as you're building a business. So, as you were, as you made the decision, and you're awarded your franchise, you're home helpers franchise, getting started. We all know any business you start those first few years are the toughest, what you know, particularly made your first year after opening your home helpers, easier that stood out to you being part of home helpers?

Speaker 2  12:21  
Well, um, the number one factor would be in advance of opening, I had a lot of training. So you know, we went over the pro forma, together, we went over how to make decisions together, we went over, building my confidence together, you know, and then when it came time, every month, I had a monthly meeting on the phone with my performance coach at the time. And eventually, she even came to my home office and spent a few days with me in my office, which was at my house at the time. And we made calls on some businesses, but she helped me with my file structure, making sure my personnel files were handled correctly, making sure that my client files were being handled correctly. And that I was, you know, doing simple things like making sure that the client received their HIPAA privacy policy, and signed a document saying that they had that, that we reviewed things correctly, that we followed personnel practices, and standard operating procedures within business. And just a lot of advice and information. And I always knew that someone was at the end of the email, or someone was at the end of the phone. If I needed something, whether it was a text or a call or an email, someone always responded to me. It could be my performance coach or someone within the NSC. That actually was there to support me on that level.

Speaker 1  13:47  
I appreciate that. And, you know, I think about back when we went through COVID to what that was like, and, boy, we talked a lot. I mean, anything you want to add about, you know about code during that time of COVID how the various aspects of how the franchise stood, you know, might have supported you through that, because I remember we talked a lot with the community. Well,

Speaker 2  14:07  
we really did webinar after webinar, meeting after meeting and you know, you'd get from one Zoom meeting into another and then a team's meeting them back to a Zoom meeting and that was your day. And you know how to migrate and get through that the National Support Center truly was a Support Center for us throughout COVID. You know, from finding us sourcing us options for masks and gowns, and whatever other supplies we needed to have gloves and things of that nature through various outlets, getting us good prices and giving us options to the membership that the National Support Center covers with us with Home Care Association of America, we're all of our care pro staff. Were able to actually take a COVID Ready training and certify us that we had been trained on how to work within a home On, if we chose to care for a patient in the home with COVID, you know, the the information and the representation that we had throughout the virus, legal things, you know, what can we do and can't Can't we do with our employees, making sure that we are communicating information properly within our state. And some states having regulations different than others, I just cannot say enough about what home helpers helped us through during the COVID pandemic. I mean, it really was amazing to know that we had that level of support.

Speaker 1  15:34  
Even internally, I just want to echo that too. For my end, it felt really good. I mean, it was a time of uncertainty for all of us whether Chai Z, you know, I think the whole country if you were employee was like, what's next? What are we going to do? And even as an employee, I can echo that, you know, that sense of connection. And literally, we, I feel like like you said, we were talking almost daily, was so important to keeping that continuity going for me personally, as well. So, now, as you said, you know, you have your established business you've expanded, what do you enjoy most about it?

Speaker 2  16:15  
Hmm, that's a really good question, it would be probably easier to say what I don't enjoy. Honestly, Nick, I will tell you, I enjoy the fact that I have watched numerous employees over the past eight years come in here with maybe no experience at all in healthcare. And they find a love for what they do. They find a love for the elder person, the older adult, and their struggles that they're going through, and then they want to go further in their healthcare career. So this is a beginning point for many people who then go on to maybe become a medical assistant or become a CNA, or become a a nurse, an LPN or a registered nurse. And we've had numerous employees that do that, I would say, that's one of my greatest joys. The other is my office team. I have a wonderfully supportive office team here. And I'm sure every owner could say that about their office team. However, I was so excited over the weekend, I have a six year term employee here with me, he started here as a caregiver. She's a CNA, she's in college now to become a registered nurse also. And she went out this past Friday, and she purchased her very first car that she bought from a dealership to pay payments on. And we have been able to watch her become so successful. And you know, and she said, if it's gonna make me almost cry, if it weren't for my job, I couldn't do this. And you know, when you give a person a leg up by employing them, and showing them that they're valuable to society, there's no greater joy than that. It's almost like watching your baby walk for the first time. Honestly, it is, it means that much to me as an employer, that we see this type of success from some people. And not everybody does that. And it's okay. This is a stopping point for many people along the way. And we love them while they're here. And we send them off to say farewell whenever they're ready to go. But I would say from being an employer, those are two of the best things. And I could probably tell you story after story. Also, when a client's family send you an email or a text and says, Thank you for everything that your staff have done, or are doing for my dad. And most of all, thank you for helping him to maintain his dignity. And to me, that means so much, especially when that gentleman his daughter said that to me. I've known him since I was a kid. And he was a local pharmacist and the town I grew up in. And now, you know, here we are, all these years later that we get to give something back to him that he gave to our community, but really taking care of all of us. Whenever we got sick. They were there, you know, and now we get to help in that way. And there's story after story like that, if people that we've been able to help on both sides as an employer, and also as a caregiving company.

Speaker 1  19:18  
So what I'm hearing is, and thank you for sharing, this is a people based business. I mean, you you better be ready because it's all people. Absolutely,

Speaker 2  19:27  
absolutely. If you don't like people, you might want to get into pet sitting business.

Unknown Speaker  19:35  
People or white people and dogs myself,

Speaker 2  19:37  
I do have a cat here in the office. So we are animal people. We have a dog at home and a cat in the office. Very cool.

Speaker 1  19:45  
Well, I appreciate Lisa and as we wrap up today, as you know, again, this is people that are looking into business and have had that goal and a dream of a business. You know, it's a big step and you mentioned that earlier in two He's podcast, it is a big change and you took your time. And that's an encouragement I would have, as a former consultant myself is that people looking at making this change, do take the time to make sure it's the right choice. Now, with that in mind, what's the biggest piece of advice you would offer our listeners who are really thinking to make that bold move into business ownership and exploring it? What would you say to them?

Speaker 2  20:29  
Well, I think, Nick, that some of the important things to say to someone who's considering home helpers, this type of a business is, number one, be ready to work, you know, be ready to work. If you don't like to come to work, and you don't like to be involved, it's probably not the right business for you. Because from the get go, you really do need to be involved and learn all aspects of the business. I mean, I've slept on a person's couch before to stay on overnight shift, I've walked in a house and found a person soiled and given them a bed bath. I've given a shower to someone within a senior living community, because we had a call off that night. And honestly, I think that you have to be prepared at the beginning to do those things, you have to put on the scrubs and go out and do the work. And in all honesty, your staff are going to appreciate you much more that way. Because you have a true understanding of what your employee is going to go through whenever they do their work. And you also will have an understanding of why they like to do this type of work, because it's very fulfilling. I mean, that might sound to some folks, like that's terrible, oh, my gosh, you walked in and you had to give a bed bath. But in all honesty, I thought it was really rewarding to me. And so that's the type of people that we look forward to employ. The other thing is, I would say, in regard to this type of a business is take advantage of what home helpers has to offer from the National Support Center. Stay in touch with your performance coach, stay in touch with other folks at the NSC, learn from them, talk to other owners, stay involved in the Facebook community, go to Events, participate in community conversations, we are in a franchise system, because we want support. So take advantage of all that support. Because honestly, it is here for you. And it's been here for me, I don't think that I could have opened a business and gotten to where I am currently, which I'm not the biggest franchise in the world, of course. But I feel successful. Because every day I come to work and I see the successes of other people. And that is very fulfilling to me. And you will find that this is a very fulfilling type of work. As an all business, there's going to be pitfalls, there's going to be days that aren't great. But just remember as Rocky said, it's not how many times you fall down. It's how or get knocked down. He says it's how many times you get back up. Amen.

Speaker 1  23:01  
That's right. I concur. Well, I want to thank you, Lisa, it's, it's been great having it today. And you know, I want to say personally, it was really neat, because you did begin your business. You know, I've been with the organization now almost 10 years, and you're you specifically or somebody I remember when you were training. And it's so neat to be, you know, in my shoes as part of the National Support Center to see somebody from when they went through that training to build a successful business going through expansion, you know, and it's just an honor to have you on and you're doing great things for your community, and for your employees. So congratulations on all your success.

Unknown Speaker  23:42  
Thank you.

Speaker 1  23:43  
Thank you for joining us today. And before we wrap up, I just want to to share with everyone listening today. If you you know have the interest of owning your own business and are interested in homecare, feel free to contact us and we will answer all your questions and see, you know, is this the right fit for you? Is the timing right? Does it make sense from a from a fit standpoint? And you can reach us two ways via our website at home helpers franchise doc. There's a lot of great resources on that website to answer some of your initial questions. Our phone number is also listed there so you can call us on the spot again, that's home helpers franchise.com. Or you can email us directly at Franchise development at home helpers homecare.com. That's a long one. So I'll repeat it. It's franchise development, at home helpers, homecare, all one word.com and one of the individuals that gets that email is is who Lisa mentioned earlier, Bobby Kelly, her buddy Bobby Kelly, so I'm sure he'd be happy if he gets your email to answer your questions as well. So thank you again for joining us. Lisa, thank you for your sharing your story. I thought really enjoyed it and everyone have a good afternoon