Twenty-eight years as a physical therapist stirred a desire in Michele Scott to serve the needs of and advocate for the elderly. “I’ve watched my patients, against their will, move into long-term care facilities because they cannot find personalized and adequate assistance in the community,” she says.
She opened a Home Helpers franchise serving the Tulsa, Oklahoma area to provide comprehensive home care for seniors, new mothers, and others needing recuperative and continuing assistance. Her franchise also supports Direct Link, Home Helpers’ proprietary line of medical alert systems, including fall sensors and automated medication dispensers.
“We strive to be the family for the clients when their family can’t be there,” Scott says.
“Success comes after sacrifice, hard work, commitment, dedication, and a teachable spirit,” Scott says. Borne's marketing expertise helped her connect with Tulsa World, which featured her. "An article announcing my business with an interview and picture gave me the exposure I needed," she says. Business picked up just in time, as Scott had taken out a business loan as she struggled to get her new business up and running.
Mentor Joseph Gagliardi is optimistic about the future for Scott’s franchise. “This business will grow to about 30 to 40 employees within a five year period of time; within 10 years it should double."
"I have learned success has multiple meanings," Scott says. "Building relationships and positioning myself to raise awareness with multiple key referral sources is success. "
Scott was named Outstanding Franchise Business at the 2016 SCORE Awards
Scott worked with several SCORE mentors to launch her franchise business. She also attended the Simple Steps to Starting Your Business four-week workshop.
Joseph Gagliardi guided Scott through the process of preparing for and opening her franchise. Chris Borne stepped in to advise on marketing and advertising, while Isabell Estes served as a go-to for all things franchising. “When you have a SCORE mentor, you are learning from someone who has already arrived at where I want to be,” she says. “Experience is an invaluable tool. Experience can’t be purchased, it can only be earned or shared.”