Jeffrey Tews was a distant caregiver for his mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, when he realized that providing services for families in need could be a financially and emotionally rewarding business opportunity. That's what drew him in 2006 to BrightStar Care, the home-care and senior-living community franchise.
WISCONSIN
Source: BrightStar Care
Susan Rather and Jeff Tews are co-owners of six BrightStar franchises that collectively bring in more than $11 million in annual revenue.
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With his wife, Susan, Jeffrey now owns six BrightStar Care franchises and has expanded even further, opening Brightstar Senior Living, the brand's first facility designed for home-care clients who are no longer able to live safely on their own, or for whom around-the-clock in-home care is too expensive. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this 36-resident assisted-living facility has a memory-care floor, a full-time nurse, a chef and an activities director to keep residents busy and interactive with one another.
"We became the first BSL franchisee in the system, and it added an additional $2.4 million a year to our revenue stream," Jeffrey said. The couple is so pleased with the assisted-living facility, they're looking into opening a second one in the Madison area. Their biggest challenge is attracting and retaining quality staff.
"Reputation is everything in our business, and our employees bring our quality care to the client," he said. To attract the best workers, the couple offers competitive wages, health benefits, a 401(k) with a match and paid time off.
"Running your own business will become a large portion of your focus and your time, so it ought to be something you have passion about. You want it to be something which will allow you rewards beyond financial."
