Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. There are nearly 35 million small businesses in the U.S., generating 43.5% of the nation’s gross domestic product. If you want to write your own success story by opening a business, check out A Place At Home’s tips on how to become a successful entrepreneur.

According to Gallup, more than 60% of Americans want to open a business. The desire to pursue entrepreneurship is spurred by the potential for higher pay and autonomy. A flexible schedule, making a positive impact, and pursuing your passion are other top drivers for launching a business.

In 2024, the U.S. saw an average of 430,000 new business applications each month—a 50% increase compared to 2019. Easier access to tools and resources to start and scale businesses and the growing number of franchise opportunities are helping fuel entrepreneurial growth.

Despite the popularity of entrepreneurship, only about half of independent businesses survive the first five years. To increase your chances of success, here are some tips:

1. Develop a clear vision: It’s vital to set goals and have a solid financial roadmap for your business.
2. Research the market: Understanding industry trends and your target demographic will enable you to gain a foothold in the market.
3. Build a strong network: Having a mentor can help guide you on your business journey. They can provide valuable advice and offer a listening ear when you face challenges. Joining a business networking group helps generate business leads and establish your reputation.
4. Manage risk: Starting a business can be risky. To ensure your business thrives, it’s important to balance risk by making calculated decisions.
5. Leverage technology: Digital tools can streamline operations. A customer relationship management system’s ability to track sales and handle customer relationships improves efficiency and strategic planning.
6. Be resilient: The best entrepreneurs are nimble and can cope with adversity. Following the pandemic, restaurateurs who quickly ramped up curbside pickup and delivery were able to stay afloat when dining rooms were shuttered.

Franchising Powers Entrepreneurship

How can I become an entrepreneur? Franchising provides a gateway to business ownership with an established brand that has a proven history of success. There are more than 4,000 franchise brands in the U.S., covering everything from foodservice and home services to senior care.

As a franchise owner, you’ll receive training and ongoing support to enhance your ability to build a thriving business. A franchise offers a turnkey business with the technology you need to run efficiently. If you want to be your own boss with less risk, franchising is the answer. Around 95% of franchise locations with an initial investment of at least $25,000 are still in business after five years, Entrepreneur reports.

The Senior Care Advantage

A Place At Home is a recognized franchise in a high-demand industry. The U.S. population is aging. By 2040, nearly one in four Americans will be 65 or older. A Place At Home caters to this growing demographic by offering a range of personalized services, including in-home care, care coordination, and staffing solutions. Having multiple revenue streams allows you to diversify your portfolio to increase profits. It also enables you to provide reliable and consistent services to help seniors to age gracefully.

You do not need experience in senior care to succeed as an A Place At Home franchisee. We provide the training and support you need to build your business. Our dedicated coaches guide new owners as they set up their businesses, evaluate potential office locations, obtain state licensing processes, and more. You’ll receive five days of intensive training onsite at our headquarters.

Partner with A Place At Home

Starting a business can lead you to self-sufficiency and financial freedom. Fill out our franchise inquiry form to learn more about partnering with A Place At Home to launch a senior care business in your community.

As the U.S. population ages, demand for in-home senior care is soaring, making it a prime opportunity for savvy entrepreneurs. Seniors who pay out-of-pocket offer the potential for greater profitability and long-term growth. Learn how to get private-pay home care clients by building strong connections with seniors and their families.

Who is a Private-Pay Home Care Client?

Private-pay home care clients pay out-of-pocket for their care services, rather than using government programs like Medicaid and Medicare, or insurance. These seniors and their families rely on savings and existing assets to pay for services. They demand high-quality, personalized care, which can be a key factor in building a profitable senior care business. Self-paying clients choose their caregivers, types of services, and care schedules.

Self-paying clients are a crucial component of any non-medical home care business. Here are the benefits of targeting these types of clients:

• High-profit margins: You can set your own rate for self-paying clients without insurance or government restrictions, increasing your profit potential. Nearly 90% of older adults strongly desire to remain in the comfort of their homes for as long as possible, and many rely on savings to pay for the care they need.
• Improve cash flow: The client pays you directly. You won’t need to wait for insurance or Medicare to foot the bill, resulting in consistent cash flow.
• Less administrative requirements: Complying with insurance guidelines requires a lot of red tape. Private-pay clients are easier to manage, which enables you to focus on building your business.
• Personalized care plans: The personalized care plans of self-paying clients are not hampered by insurance restrictions, allowing you to offer premium services.

4 Tips to Attract Private-Pay Home Care Clients

Attracting private-pay clients requires implementing an omnichannel lead-generation strategy. A Place At Home has more than a decade of experience helping local owners build successful senior care businesses. Aside from traditional advertising, such as direct mail, we’ve learned how to get private-pay home care clients to help you succeed:

1. Build a Strong Online Presence

Start by developing a professional, user-friendly website that’s easy to navigate. It should provide a list of the services you offer, as well as your company’s mission and caregiving philosophy. Then, turn to social media to increase engagement and tell your success stories.

2. Utilize Referral Marketing

Partnering with healthcare professionals, senior living communities, and rehabilitation centers can help you receive referrals for private-pay clients. Encourage your current clients to tell people about your business or write online reviews. According to BrightLocal, at least 96% of customers are open to writing a review about your business—you just need to ask!

3. Be a Senior Care Resource

Providing free education resources can generate client leads. Host webinars and community events to showcase your expertise and offer free information sessions about your services.

4. Conduct Community Outreach

You can drive leads by being an active member of the community. Join senior-focused networking groups and business associations. Veteran organizations and community centers can be great resources. Signing up to sponsor local events is another way to raise brand awareness.

The A Place At Home Opportunity

A Place At Home is a leader in the senior care industry. We provide the tools, training, and guidance on how to start a non-medical home care business. Our franchise owners attend a robust training program designed to put you on a path to succeed as a senior care franchise owner. We have proven strategies and operational procedures to help you build a solid client base. We can also ensure you’re prepared to accept insurance and payment from government programs.

Fill out our franchise inquiry form to learn more about how partnering with a franchise can help you navigate the senior care industry.

5 Industries That Do Well in a Recession

To build a business that withstands the test of time, discover five industries that do well in a recession.

A recession is characterized by decreased consumer spending, rising unemployment, and a prolonged dip in the stock market. The last U.S. recession was in 2008. The Great Recession was spurred by a housing market bubble, financial deregulation, and a banking crisis. During this time, the U.S. domestic product dropped 4.3%, and the unemployment rate doubled. Sluggish sales and economic uncertainty had a major impact on small businesses. Fewer small businesses opened during the Great Recession, and many struggled to stay afloat.

Operating a business during a recession can be challenging, especially if you don’t provide an essential service. During a recession, customers historically cut spending on non-essential items to trim their budgets, sending sales in these industries on a downward spiral.

Fortunately, many industries are essential and continue to perform well despite economic fluctuations. Here are a few of our top picks of industries that do well in a recession:

1. Pet services: Most pet owners consider furry friends official family members. Even when money is tight, pet parents do not scrimp on care. During the 2008 recession, pet industry sales climbed 5.1%.
2. Coffee shops: It may seem counterintuitive for customers to spend money on specialty coffees on a budget. But a daily “cup of joe” is often seen as an “affordable indulgence.” After cutting travel plans, delaying a new car purchase, or eating more meals at home, customers indulge in budget-friendly treats—like a latte or cold brew.
3. Urgent care: More than 200 million patients visit urgent care annually. Whether patients need vaccinations, prescription refills, or are ill, urgent care locations offer same-day and after-hours healthcare services. Patients turn to urgent care as an alternative to crowded emergency rooms for non-life-threatening concerns. People continue to prioritize their health, even when the economy is down, and demand is expected to continue to surge for this convenient healthcare service. New urgent care centers are opening at a growth rate of 7%.
4. Auto repair: We rely on cars to live, work, and play, and auto repair shops provide a valuable service. Americans spend an average of more than 25 minutes on their daily commute, and as the average age of cars on the road hits 12.6 years, repairs are inevitable. An auto repair shop can be a lucrative opportunity for car aficionados and savvy entrepreneurs.
5. Senior services: Securing high-quality, compassionate care for aging loved ones is necessary for many families. Aging in place is an important goal for 95% of Americans, a survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report revealed. In-home senior care services are an essential, recession-resistant solution designed to improve seniors’ quality of life.

A Place At Home: A Senior Care Leader

A Place At Home co-founders and childhood friends Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich were inspired to launch a business in the senior care industry to deliver the same level of care they’d provided their grandparents to seniors nationwide. The senior care franchise’s focus on compassionate care and multiple revenue streams has helped it grow to 34 locations.

With an initial investment starting near $90,000*, A Place At Home offers entrepreneurs a turnkey senior care business in a recession resistant industry with the training and support they need to thrive. If you want to own a recession-resistant business that makes a difference in the lives of families in your community, A Place At Home is ready to help you get started.

Fill out our franchise inquiry form to learn more about launching a senior-focused business in your community today!

 *See FDD for details.

Craving career independence and more time with loved ones? Utilizing franchising to launch a family business can help you achieve financial freedom and set future generations up for success. Uncover that pave the way for a prosperous future.

Family-owned businesses account for about 70% of the global GDP and provide 60% of the world’s jobs. Most family businesses focus on purpose beyond profit and take a cautious approach, making them strong performers, McKinsey & Company reports. They tend to be adaptable and resilient, enabling them to weather economic downturns and fluctuating demand.

If you lack job security and want to create a better life, a family business is the right move. It combines the strength of shared trust, mutual support, and a unified vision, creating opportunities to build financial stability and a legacy.

Franchising Fuels Family Business Opportunities

Franchising provides a path for many entrepreneurs interested in launching a family business. As a franchise owner, you get a turnkey business with an established brand, alleviating many challenges new businesses can face, such as marketing hiccups, supply chain concerns, and building consumer trust.

Here’s why franchising works for families:

• Proven systems: Franchises come with established frameworks and support, limiting the potential for conflict as you build a reputation in the community.
• Reduced risk: It helps minimize trial-and-error. Franchisors hone procedures and operational guidelines to provide a business model that’s already successful.
• Shared roles: Franchises often have pre-defined roles, making it easier to delegate tasks among family members.
• Designed for growth: Franchises are designed to be scalable. You can expand your empire over time, adding locations or diversifying services.
• Training and support: Franchisors offer comprehensive training, ideal for families with no prior experience.
• Build a legacy: Franchising provides a structured, enduring model to pass down through generations.

Family-Friendly Business Ideas

If you’re ready to launch a franchise with your family, finding an opportunity in a booming industry with high-profit potential is crucial. Whether you’re searching for a business idea for families or a business idea for couples, here are some industries poised for growth:

1. Senior care services: The number of seniors is skyrocketing. According to the National Council on Aging, there were nearly 58 million adults in the U.S. aged 65 and older in 2022. By 2040, that number is expected to climb to more than 78 million. A senior care franchise provides compassionate support to the elderly while building a meaningful business.
2. Food and beverage franchises: Americans continue to eat out despite rising food costs. The average American spends $191 on meals away from home each month, US Foods reports. Operating a local eatery or coffee shop can be lucrative, and every family member has a role to play in the business.
3. Home services: The aging housing stock and busy lifestyles are prompting many homeowners to enlist the help of home services providers, such as cleaners, landscapers, remodelers, and more. Home services businesses typically have low overhead costs—many operate from a home office and provide mobile services. Home services businesses are easy to scale, and there’s an opportunity to grow vertically by adding additional brands to your portfolio to generate year-round opportunities.
4. Pet care businesses: Americans were forecast to spend more than $150 billion on their pets in 2025. Offering boarding, grooming, or mobile pet services is an ideal option for animal-loving families.
5. Education and tutoring centers: Rigorous college admissions and rampant standardized testing are prompting parents to seek outside tutoring to ensure their children stay on track. A tutoring business can help students excel academically while teaching valuable skills.

The Best Family Business to Start

A Place At Home offers a meaningful mission of providing compassionate senior care, allowing families to make a real impact in their community. With comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a scalable business model, we enable families to work together to build a thriving business and create a legacy of care and service for future generations.

Take the First Step Toward Your Family’s Empire

If you’re ready to launch a business in the senior care industry, fill out a franchise inquiry form. A franchise consultant from our team will reach out to answer your questions and give you the details you need to make a confident decision about your future.

Find out everything you need to know about hiring a certified aging-in-place specialist, and how these specialists can enhance safety and comfort in the home.

What is an Aging-in-Place Specialist?

At least 95% of adults aged 55 and older report that aging in place is an important goal, according to a new survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report. To facilitate aging in place, many seniors are relying on technology to help improve their quality of life. Wearable medical trackers, medical alert devices, smart-home technology, and service-based apps for grocery delivery are helping improve the quality of life for seniors who choose to age in place.

Even though technological advances are making it easier for seniors to remain in their homes, a certified aging-in-place specialist can give seniors, family members, and caregivers peace of mind. These professionals strive to design safe, accessible environments that enhance the quality of life for seniors.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and AARP developed the aging-in-place certification program or CAPS. It focuses on home modifications and design solutions that support independence as individuals age. These specialists are equipped with the knowledge to assess a home’s accessibility and safety, offering recommendations for modifications that help mitigate risks like falls or limited mobility.

Benefits of Hiring a Specialist

If your senior has expressed a desire to remain in their own home as long as possible, hiring an aging-in-place specialist is an important step. A one-time investment in home adjustments can make it feasible for seniors to stay at home for longer, reducing long-term care expenses.

An aging-in-place specialist offers many benefits:

• Enhanced safety: They conduct a personalized home evaluation to identify safety concerns and recommend modifications, such as grab bars, stair railings, wider doorways, and a ground-floor bedroom to reduce the risk of falls and accidents.
• Increased accessibility: They focus on ways to make the home more user-friendly. They often recommend installing adjustable shelves in the kitchen and barrier-free bathroom designs, like walk-in showers, slip-resistant flooring, and higher toilets.
• Peace of mind: Knowing your senior has a safe place to live can provide family members with the assurance they need to give the elderly the privacy and space they desire.

How to Find a Specialist

To find an aging-in-place specialist in your area, search the NAHB’s directory. They keep a list of specialists with up-to-date certifications. You can also seek referrals, online reviews, and other community resources to locate experts near you. Make sure your specialist has a background in the construction industry. They’ll visit your senior’s home to do an initial evaluation. Investing in home modifications may seem costly, but it doesn’t compare to the cost of an assisted living facility. The average monthly rent at an assisted living facility is $4,500. And home renovations can add value to the home, which will be beneficial when your senior is ready to sell.

Caregiving Plays a Key Role

Even with the guidance of an aging-in-place specialist, caregivers for the elderly still play a crucial role for seniors who live at home. Caregivers provide essential support, companionship, and assistance with daily activities, helping them maintain quality of life and independence. At A Place at Home, our compassionate caregivers can provide everything from companionship to around-the-clock care. We recognize that each senior’s needs are unique and create personalized care programs tailored to support you and your loved ones.

Let A Place At Home Help

Hiring an aging-in-place specialist and an in-home care service provider, like A Place At Home, can significantly improve the quality of life for your loved one. Our caregivers ensure your loved ones remain safe, healthy, and happy at home.

Find an A Place At Home location near you to get started.

As our population ages, demand for senior care services is soaring. Discover how to tap into the lucrative opportunities in the multi-billion-dollar senior care industry.

Senior Care Growth

The U.S. senior care industry is valued at more than $455 billion and is expected to rise sharply over the next five years. To understand the growth of this market, check out these eye-opening statistics on our aging population:

• By 2030, all Baby Boomers will be over 65, and one in every five Americans will be a senior citizen.
• According to the World Health Organization, the number of people aged 60 and older will double by 2050, reaching 2.1 billion globally.
• And the population of adults ages 85 and over is on track to double by 2036 and triple by 2049, according to Consumer Affairs.
• The demand for elder care is projected to surge as the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease could more than double by 2050.
• At least 93% of adults ages 55 and older want to age in place as long as possible.

As people live longer and the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, the need for senior care services is poised to increase. The aging population is creating a massive demand for a wide range of services, from in-home care to assisted living facilities, and more.

Here are several reasons why the senior care industry is an excellent investment:

• Growing demand: With more people reaching retirement age and life expectancy rising, the number of seniors in need of care is increasing exponentially.
• Recession-resistant: Healthcare, especially senior care, is often considered recession-resistant. Regardless of economic conditions, people will always need care as they age.
• Wide range of opportunities: The senior care industry offers a wide variety of opportunities. From personal care and nursing services to home modifications and transportation, there are many potential options.
• Personal satisfaction: Many investors are drawn to senior care for both financial benefits and the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

Types of Senior Care Services

If you’re considering a future in senior care, understanding the different types of services available is key.

1. In-home care: Assists with daily activities like bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and light housekeeping, as well as companionship, to enable seniors to remain in their homes. A Place At Home has approximately 34 locations providing in-home care services to seniors across the country.
2. Assisted living: Offers housing and 24-hour assistance for seniors who need a high level of support.
3. Nursing homes: Provides comprehensive medical care and assistance for seniors with serious health conditions who require round-the-clock care.
4. Memory care: Specializes in services for seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
5. Hospice and palliative care: Focuses on providing comfort and quality of life for seniors with terminal illnesses.

Each of these services offers different levels of care and investment potential, but in-home care’s flexibility and high demand appeal to new business owners. Unlike nursing homes or assisted living facilities, in-home care businesses don’t require the significant capital investment associated with owning and maintaining a physical facility. In-home care services can also be tailored to fit the specific needs of clients, whether it’s hourly care or specialized services like Alzheimer’s or dementia care.

Become a Top Performer with A Place At Home

A Place At Home is a senior care franchise that provides non-medical in-home care to America’s aging population. We offer comprehensive, consistent, and continuous in-home care solutions with multiple revenue streams. Our franchise owners provide top-quality home care for their clients, as well as care coordination, senior living alternatives, and staffing solutions with open shift coverage for senior living communities. Our holistic approach ensures franchisees meet the varied needs of seniors and their families.

To provide top-notch care, A Place At Home relies on a caring philosophy. As part of this approach, we strive to be compassionate, accountable, respectful, and ethical. Here are some of the ways A Place At Home stands out:

Proven Business Model

You’ll benefit from an established brand with a successful track record. Childhood friends, Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich created A Place At Home in 2012 after failed attempts to find proper care for their loved ones. Their first location was in Omaha, Nebraska, but after experiencing rapid growth and witnessing the potential in the future of home care, they decided to expand in 2017 and begin franchising.

Comprehensive Training and Support

A Place at Home offers extensive training to help you understand the intricacies of running a senior care business, from caregiver recruitment to client management. Our caregiver training program relies on a best-in-class platform designed to increase the quality of care and improve employee retention. By partnering with Nevvon, an e-training provider for the healthcare sector, each of our locations receives a tool to provide comprehensive training, upskilling, and compliance management.

“A Place At Home Franchise has been incredibly patient and helpful with my wife and I as new owners. Training is very thorough, and the franchisor is with you every step of the way,” said Rick Perkins, a franchise owner in Omaha, Nebraska.

Protected Territory

A Place At Home offers protected territories with 40,000 qualified senior residents.

If you’re ready to join the thriving senior care market, take the next step by filling out our franchise inquiry form today.