Griswold Home Care - Mirza Donegan

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!

Mirza Donegan        Griswold Home Care

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.