1851 Webinar: Turning Personal Experience into Business Success-Albano Mahilaj

After moving to the U.S. from Albania, Albano Mahilaj navigated raising a child with autism and caring for his aging mother – experiences that inspired his decision to open his Right at Home Franchise.

After moving to the United States from Albania in 2008, Albano Mahilaj found his true calling in senior home care after witnessing firsthand both the challenges of raising a child with autism and coordinating care for his aging mother. This personal connection to caregiving became the foundation for his successful Right at Home franchise in Cleveland.

"My oldest is on the spectrum; he has autism," Mahilaj said. "My wife and I were looking for ways to create a safe future for him and his brother. We were searching for different business ideas and thought about home care. We didn’t know it existed until my mom went through a situation after COVID, and we had to use it ourselves. I was looking into Right at Home. It just made sense — right place, right time."

Mahilaj worked for 11 years in government real estate before transitioning to franchise ownership. His decision to invest in a Right at Home franchise was driven by his family’s needs. Now, he has seen just how powerful a true "why," paired with a strong business model, can be as he grows his business and serves his community.

"We came to the U.S. with a dream to make it as far as possible," Mahilaj said. "You just have to do it when you stumble upon the right opportunity."

To read a full transcript of Powills’ interview with Mahilaj, click here. You can find out more details about Albano’s background, why he selected Right at Home, as well as some advice he has for prospective franchisees. It has been edited for brevity, clarity, and style.