Meet the Family | Regina Le Grand Sawyer

Regina Le Grand Sawyer, a franchise owner at Right at Home in Yuba City, California, talks with Jen Chaney, VP of Franchise Development. They discuss Regina’s journey from social work to becoming an entrepreneur.

Previous Background

Regina Le Grand Sawyer purchased a new territory in California and has been a franchise owner with Right at Home for one year. She serves three major counties within the great Yuba City area. Before Right at Home, Regina was a social worker, in private industry and at a non-profit as an outpatient mental health director, eventually moving to California in public health.

Choosing Right at Home

In 2016, Regina was approached by a friend to provide home care services. He told her that home care was her niche, her specialty. She needed to get some personal issues handled, so three years or so later he approached her again. Regina states she took him up on the offer, but decided she wasn’t going to go with the same organization as him. She wanted to do her own research and find the right place for her. Regina researched the other company’s competitors and then found Right at Home’s brand was the best fit for her.

Franchise Ownership

The franchise was purchased in October, and they got their first clients in May. Regina says Right at Home really helped her, especially since she had not previously owned a business and needed some hand-holding. Regina notes that she would have been lost without the RightStart program. She recommends it to everyone who buys a Right at Home franchise. The support and knowledge received was great.

Advice for Prospective Franchisees

Regina thinks back on what she has learned over the past 5-6 months. She notes that she had to get her staff on board, and then get clients on board. She had to cultivate relationships in the community. The RightStart coaching and RightStart managers encourage you on how to get out in the community and who to talk to. But it happened. She contacted hospice and other sources who sent emails saying they needed our services. It is a bit hectic in the beginning, but you become accustomed to having a client today, not tomorrow, and then three clients come in at the same time. Regina also encourages new franchisees to take it one day at a time. You’re learning something new every day, but it will taper off as you get acclimated.

Advice to Someone Just Joining Right at Home

Regina notes that research is important. Reach out to franchisees who are already in the business. It was great to speak to them and have a clear understanding of what they’re doing, and how they’re doing it. That information will catapult you into your decision-making. Right at home is a wonderful and rewarding area. She also recommends contacting corporate. They are always there. Be ready and be passionate about what you want to do. You have to really love what you’re doing, and everything else will fall into place. You need to have a passion for people.

Final Comments

Regina added that Right at Home is where they should be. But, you have to want it. There may be times when you will question if this is really what you want to do. That has crossed all of our minds, but it is what you want to do. We are here to support you. Reach out to everybody – in or out of your region. Right at Home is a family. Everybody is willing to help and direct you in the best way that they can. Take advantage of the resources that Right at Home provides to you.