Carol Gonzalez-Sheak
With a true passion for helping others and an extensive background in healthcare, Carol Gonzalez-Sheak is expanding the Right at Home brand in the San Jose community.
Before entering the corporate world, Carol’s focus was on furthering her education, which led her to obtain a B.A. in human biology from Stanford University, an M.A. in experimental psychology from Emory University, and a Ph.D. in biopsychology from the University of Georgia.
Carol pursued a business career in the healthcare products industry for more than 25 years, working with medical device companies. She also ventured into consumer marketing as a market research manager with Franklin Covey; her role transitioned to an account manager for its subsidiary where she generated more than $1.2 million in revenue for pharmaceutical regulatory document development consulting projects in North America. In 2001, Carol resumed her healthcare career in the pharmaceutical industry working in director and associate director positions in business development and market research at NPS Pharmaceuticals, and Merck & Co., respectively.
In 2009, Carol decided to pursue consulting and relocated from New Jersey to the San Francisco Bay area to be closer to family; she met her husband Richard after moving there. Carol’s involvement with many organizations within the health industry helped her identify a life goal of owning a business. Prior to making the decision to join Right at Home, Carol was an independent contractor and a business consultant for a few startups, most notably as a founding committee member of the mentoring program at the Bay Area chapter of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).
Knowing that the franchising industry has proper infrastructure and that she would be collaboratively working with an established group, Carol began researching opportunities, with a focus on making a difference in people’s lives. Senior care skyrocketed to the top of her list.
With the passion to provide care to those in need, and with appreciation of Right at Home’s goals and values, Carol signed on as a franchisee to bring the brand to the Bay Area.
How did you find out about Right at Home?
I worked with a FranChoice consultant and spent a lot of time researching companies I felt would make a difference in the community. When I came across Right at Home, I knew I found what I was looking for.
Why did you choose an opportunity with Right at Home?
I chose Right at Home because of the quality of people on the corporate side of things and their focus; plus, when I spoke with other franchisees, I was blown away by what they had to say about Right at Home as well as their experiences.
What personal experience do you have in your own family with caring for a senior?
The death of my father really made an impact. My family was in different parts of the country and it impacted all of us. After he passed, we promised my mother that if she ever needed in-home care, her experience would be different from my father’s situation. Having dealt with my personal past experiences with my parents, I know I can make those in need still feel independent.
Please list any nonprofit organizations, community groups, volunteer activities, etc. you are/have been involved with:
Certainly, we want to be involved in as much as we can. We will be participating in the Parkinson’s Moving Day Walk as well as maintaining relations with the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association and other local business groups.