Luck is what happens when
preparation meets opportunity. Our story this month is about someone who has had
the desire to be a business owner for years but needed some assistance to get
there. She started with a dream, and then prepared for a time when she could
make the jump from employment to empowerment. But, like so many people on the
road to entrepreneurship, she needed to put family first until the timing was
right. Her life experiences played a major role in the type of business she
would select, one that was meaningful to her and that would fulfill her desire
to help others. Was it luck that we met, or was it destiny?
Congratulation Mirza and welcome
to the world of entrepreneurship!
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Mirza Donegan
Griswold Home Care
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In November of 2011, I was sent a
referral from Guidant Financial introducing Mirza Donegan as a potential
candidate for business ownership. Guidant Financial specializes in IRA and 401K
rollovers as an alternative method for funding businesses. Mirza had gone to
Guidant's website in pursuit of information on funding options. She wanted to
understand their program and how best to utilize her accumulated IRA funds to
start a business without penalties or tax implications.
A Guidant representative educated
Mirza on their rollover process and how everything would be structured. During
their conversation, it was apparent that Mirza did not have any particular
business in mind but wanted to begin her process by understanding the investment
components and financing options available. Therefore, an introduction was made
by Guidant to me with Mirza to see how I could assist her with entrepreneurship.
Referrals are an integral part of the business world, creating a win-win for
both parties.
I gave Mirza a call and found her
to be delightful, engaging and open to my process. She was 50 years old at the
time and was born on a military base. In her 12 years preceding
entrepreneurship, she was as a Marketing Manager for a non-profit, while at the
same time, president of her Chapter's Networking Association. Her daughter was
about to graduate from college and with her family now secure, she was ready to
turn her attention to business ownership. Here is what she told me: "I have
always known I would own my own business. It was a matter of when and how. I was
fortunate to have a wonderful support network with my family and friends. First,
it was important to me to be there and raise my daughter. Guide her on the path
to her future. Once that was accomplished my husband reminded me it was time for
me to find my opportunity."
Mirza had been looking at several
businesses that were for sale in her area on her own. But something wasn't right
or missing with each of them. She really didn't know what business would be the
right fit for her. When I asked what type of business she desired, her responses
were a yogurt shop, wine store, card shop or perhaps a hair salon. However, she
was open to new ideas and it was apparent to me that she wanted a business which
would be challenging and make her happy. She values face to face relationship
building, as it allows her to interact with people and make a difference. She
also wanted to be able to coordinate the work of others and take responsibility
for the overall results while maintaining a balanced life.
We started our journey of
discovery with the initial questionnaire and behavioral profile. Mirza tested
out as an "Influencer" with extremely high scores as a people person and warm
persuasive nature. We definitely needed to find a business where she could be in
contact with people and maximize these qualities.
Based on her criteria, we decided
on four concepts for initial validation; a tutoring and nanny service, a senior
care business, a spa and a kid's clothing resale shop. I made the initial
introductions to each company and then guided her through the journey of
discovery. After a couple of weeks, she ruled out the kid's clothing resale shop
and spa franchise. She continued to focus on both the nanny/tutoring service and
senior care franchises.
After further validation, she
felt very drawn to the senior care industry and franchise opportunity. Mirza
mentioned to me how much she enjoys being around the elderly and helping those
in need and that her mother-in-law uses homecare services. She had a true
understanding of the value these services provide both clients and their
families. After speaking with the CEO at Griswold Home Care, she walked away
even more impressed with the company's reputation, its business history and
track record of success and how selective the company was in bringing in the
right franchisees. Mirza knew then that she had found the right opportunity and
wanted to be the newest franchisee of Griswold Home Care. In her words, "I
researched different opportunities and options with the help of a franchise
coach, Marty Barnes, and over a period of time it became clear that Griswold
Home Care was a natural fit. Griswold focuses on understanding what families
look for in a professional caregiver. The Griswold Golden Rule: We only approve
caregivers we would trust in our own home. This struck an important core in us,
since we have been involved with the care of my mother-in-law. Seeing to her
needs and trying to find the best possible home care to help her live happy and
safe in the comfort of her own home with the best caregiver was important to
us."
Griswold Home Care is a pioneer
of the home care industry with over 30 years of experience. They are credited as
being the first non-medical home care franchise in the United States. Griswold
Home Care provides professional, experienced caregivers who work with older
adults, people dealing with illness or recovering from surgery and those with
special needs. Griswold services include personal care (bathing, hygiene,
continence care, dressing, oral care, etc...), homemaking (cooking, light
housekeeping, and laundry), companion care (cognitive functions, interaction,
correspondence, etc...) and incidental transportation (shopping, errands,
etc...). Caregivers work directly with people in their own homes but can also
provide those services in hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living
facilities if needed. All needs are different, but services are available on an
hourly, overnight, or live-in basis, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Before executing on the
agreements, Mirza had a franchise attorney review them, as well as, the
disclosure documents. She and her husband attended a Discovery Day at Griswold's
Home Office in March of 2012, where she had the opportunity to meet and interact
with the entire team before making a final decision. It was there that she
signed her franchise agreement and paid the franchise fee to join the company.
Mirza was eager to get started in Griswold's launch process that begins with
licensing and takes a new franchisee through all the aspect of preparing a
business for grand-opening. Griswold's support team was there to assist every
step of the way. While going through this process, Mirza had an opportunity to
attend Griswold's annual convention, which preceded her training. She was very
excited about meeting all the franchisees at the event and getting advice on
best practices, while drinking in their enthusiasm for helping those in
need.
Griswold Home Care turned out to
be a very good fit for Mirza. It has allowed her to use her incredible people
skills and kind, empathetic nature. Initially she wanted some kind of fun retail
business. That is perfectly normal. People are typically attracted to businesses
they enjoy as a consumer. But most often, these types of businesses are not the
best fit for the skill sets of the individual. At The Entrepreneur Source, we
find that 9 out of 10 clients we help get into business end up choosing
something completely different from what they thought they initially wanted.
Keeping an open mind during the discovery journey is a key to finding the right
business fit.
So how is Mirza doing today?
Here's what she had to say; "I have now been in business for 1 and half
years, and 6 months ago I hired my first full-time office employee and moved to
larger office space to better operate the business. The best part of my job is
meeting my clients, seniors who have contributed so much to our society. I'm in
a fortunate position to assist them by referring an affordable, experienced,
proven caregiver who will help every client maintain the dignity,
comfort,safety, independence and happiness they deserve, regardless of where
they call home.
It is fulfilling to run your
business but it requires long hours and hard work. It does not necessarily get
easier but you learn from your experiences and mistakes. You learn to work
smarter. Youhave to rise to every opportunity and challenge. I keep a sign on my
desk 'The best is yet to be' by Robert Browning."
If you have a loved one in need
of non-medical home care, someone with disabilities or one in need of long-term
care assistance and you live in the vicinity of Aspen Hill-Wheaton, MD, please
give Mirza a call. She wants you to know that by working with Griswold Home
Care, you'll gain access to the best caregivers in the world. Her office refers
only self-employed professional caregivers who are experienced and carefully
screened for competence, integrity, identity and compassion. This allows you and
your family to enjoy the peace of mind you deserve. She is 100% focused on
providing quality service while being truly responsiveness to your needs.
Mirza Donegan can be reached at
301-330-7646
Griswold Home Care, Aspen
Hill-Wheaton Office
11006 Veirs Mill Road, Suite
L15-310
Wheaton, MD 20902
She can also be reached by e-mail
at Mirza.Donegan@GriswoldHomeCare.com.
Many of the people I meet tell me
that they have always had the wish or dream of being a business owner. But
wishes and dreams only come true when you take the steps to make them happen and
that takes desire. Mirza had that desire for most of her adult life. She
prepared for the time when she'd be ready to start her business. She researched
business funding options, set up a support network of friends and family and
worked with a coach to help make her dream a reality.
You can do that too. If you have
the desire to be self-sufficient, then business ownership is probably the path
to make that happen. And a coach can guide you and help you maximize your
potential.
Success doesn't happen over night. It's a process taken one step at a time. Whether you are a corporate executive, manager, office clerk, mechanic or working mom and if you have a vision or desire of being your own boss and being self-sufficient, reply back or give me a call and we'll discuss your life goals and aspirations. Are you ready?
Your comments and feedback are
always appreciated. Wishing you continued success in the future.
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