It takes a compassionate attitude, business acumen and fantastic organisational skills to run an at-home care business.
For Right at Home franchisees the opportunity to work in this fast-paced environment comes with massive potential.
“It’s a big job, 24/7, and one of the key factors to success is driving growth. That’s growth in revenue, your office, your team and their skills. It very quickly becomes a very big business,” says Lyndon de Clercq, chief financial officer at Right at Home.
“You could start with just two people, including one caregiver. The trick is to grow, and replicate that growth. The critical success factor is recruitment and retention,” he says. “One franchisee recruited nine people in October!”
The business delivers home care and support within the community. Franchisees may not be health professionals themselves but will employ support staff to deliver services.
Caregivers are tending to the elderly, those living with a disability, those needing post operative care and anyone relying on support to remain living independently in their own homes.
Franchisees provide government-funded and private pay services in the form of companion care, personal care and skilled nursing.
“With the ageing population, more people are living longer. There is a greater demand for complexity of care, and that’s what we are geared up to do,” says Lyndon.
“We’ll take on any clients with the provision we can meet their care needs. Improving the quality of people’s lives is our mission. So we look for franchisees who are willing to deliver this mission through customised, quality care for their communities.
“We often look for a husband and wife team, or two or three friends, who can support each other in what is a very rewarding but very demanding industry,” he says.
“There’s a real feel good factor about it. You will be doing something fulfilling while supporting your community. You get out of it what you put in.”
Franchisees with the right attitude can grow a big business
A Right at Home franchise is an opportunity to work with a partner and build an asset and a long term capital base.
Franchisees operate in large territories which provide maximum business potential. There’s a long franchise agreement – eligible franchisees can renew their five year term four times, giving them effectively 20 years as a business owner.
“That’s what makes a difference,” says Lyndon. “Owners are in the local community and they only put a carer with a client as you would for family. The owners are close to the day-to-day operations.”
A franchisee has to have the right attitude, to align themselves with the Right at Home mission, and have a passion for the work.
A franchisee’s role includes recruitment, marketing and prospecting for new clients, matching clients to carers, rostering and payroll.
“It’s complex but our system will help you get clarity on how you can get up and running,” says Lyndon.
Smart software and policies and procedures are in place to help simplify the franchisee’s multiple tasks – and to ensure standards are observed.
Aged care is a highly regulated sector, so Right at Home looks for team players who are willing to follow compliance.
A growing business in a sector with big potential
The care business recently launched in South Australia and Victoria, and there is plenty of potential for growth in both states.
Queensland, New South Wales and Perth are already quite well established, says Lyndon. In fact Right at home franchisees operate right across the country, in both regional and metro areas.
Although the majority of elderly people live in cities (about 60 per cent), Lyndon points out that still leaves 40 per cent in regional areas and towns.
“There is a lot of demand there as well,” he says.
The business is still looking to grow in new territories.
“When you join Right at Home, you join the network of owners, share experiences and learn from each other.
“We have a network of highly motivated and committed franchise owners who are all there to support and make the experience with us the best it can be.”