Meet the Owner: Kola Bliss
Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.
When Kola Bliss first became a caregiver with Right at Home, she wasn’t planning on becoming a business owner. In fact, after spending 20 years as a stay-at-home mom, she was simply looking for her next chapter.
Today, Kola and her husband, Adam, own three Right at Home territories in Tucson, Arizona, and another serving Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada. More than a decade into ownership, Kola’s journey is a testament to where passion, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others can lead.
A New Beginning
Kola earned a degree in business, but after college, she focused on raising her family. When her daughter graduated from high school, Kola decided it was time to re-enter the workforce.
“I had been a stay-at-home mom for 20 years,” Kola recalls. “When I decided I wanted to get a job, my husband joked that I hadn’t worked since graduating from college.”
Around that time, a friend who worked as a caregiver for Right at Home encouraged Kola to consider caregiving herself. Initially, she wasn’t sure it would be the right fit.
“I was hesitant,” she says. “I didn’t know if I could work with older adults.”
Despite her hesitation, she decided to give it a try, and it didn’t take long for her perspective to change.
“I became a caregiver, and I loved it,” Kola says. “I found I had a real passion for it.”
That experience not only introduced her to the home care industry but also revealed the meaningful impact compassionate care can have on families.
An Opportunity for Ownership
After working as a caregiver for a few years, Kola’s husband, Adam, came across a magazine article highlighting the top Franchise opportunities in America. Right at Home was featured on the list.
The couple began researching the Brand and eventually traveled to the Corporate Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, to learn more about what business ownership would look like.
“We wanted to find out everything we could about Right at Home,” Kola says. “We loved the culture and the business model.”
Their decision was a significant leap of faith. Adam left his Corporate career, and the family relocated to Tucson, Arizona, to open their first Right at Home office.
“It was definitely a make-it-or-break-it moment for us,” Kola says. “We picked up our lives and moved across the country to start this business.
Building a Business from the Ground Up
Like many new Franchise owners, Kola wore several hats during the early years of their business.
“At first it was just Adam and me,” she says. “During the day, I was interviewing caregivers, conducting assessments, scheduling clients, and handling whatever else needed to be done.”
Their work didn’t stop when the office closed.
“In the evenings, I was often working caregiving shifts,” she says. “The days were long.”
While the first few years demanded commitment and sacrifice, Kola believes those experiences helped her understand every aspect of the business and laid the foundation for future growth.
As their offices expanded, they were able to hire additional caregivers and office staff, allowing Kola to focus on the areas she enjoys most: supporting clients and caregivers.
“I spend a lot of time working with clients and caregivers, helping solve problems and making sure we’re providing the best care possible,” she says.
Making a Meaningful Impact
One of the most rewarding aspects of ownership for Kola is helping families navigate some of life’s most challenging moments.
Her offices work closely with hospice providers, supporting clients who want to remain in the comfort of their own homes during the final stages of life.
Many families are facing unfamiliar circumstances and difficult decisions.
“They don’t know what to expect,” Kola says. “When a loved one chooses hospice care at home, we have an opportunity to help guide families through that experience.”
For Kola, being able to provide reassurance, education, and compassionate support during those moments is deeply fulfilling.
“You can make a very meaningful impact,” she says. “Helping families determine the best care for their aging parent is incredibly rewarding.”
The Value of a Franchise Network
After 12 years as a Franchise Owner, Kola points to the support available through Right at Home as one of the Brand’s biggest advantages.
In particular, she values the annual Home Improvement Conference, where Franchise owners come together to learn, collaborate, and share best practices.
“The classes are helpful because you learn new processes, industry regulations, and different ways to improve your business,” she says.
The greatest benefit may be the relationships built along the way.
“You develop friendships with other Franchise Owners who share the same goals,” Kola explains. “People are always willing to share ideas, offer support, and help one another serve challenges.”
These connections often extend well beyond the conference itself.
“You’re part of a community,” she says. “Having the Network of fellow Franchisees you can call on makes a huge difference.”
Advice for Prospective Owners
Having experienced both the challenges and rewards of building a home care business, Kola offers straightforward advice to prospective Franchise Owners: “Keep going.”
She acknowledges that the early years can be demanding, but she encourages candidates to focus on the bigger picture.
“The first few years are hard,” Kola says. “But it gets easier.”
More importantly, she believes the work itself provides something many people spend their entire careers searching for: purpose.
“You get to make a meaningful impact on clients and families,” she says. “And you get to have a meaningful purpose in life.”
For Kola, what began as a return to the workforce after raising a family evolved into a career defined by service, leadership, and community impact. Twelve years later, she’s still passionate about helping caregivers succeed, supporting families through difficult moments, and delivering quality care to those who need it most.
It’s a journey that started with a simple opportunity to become a caregiver and grew into a business that continues to make a difference every day.
