Meet the Owner: Mike Brown

Watch the full interview on our YouTube Channel.

When Mike Brown first considered joining his family’s Right at Home business, he saw more than an opportunity to own a company. He saw a chance to build something meaningful.

Today, Mike serves as the majority owner of Right at Home Columbia, South Carolina, a business his parents started 20 years ago. After nearly 13 years in the organization, he’s helping lead the next chapter of growth, including the recent purchase of an additional territory.

For Mike, the journey was more than business ownership. It’s been about contributing to a family legacy while making a difference in the lives of clients, caregivers, and the community he serves.

A Different Path to Home Care

Before entering the world of senior care, Mike built his career in sales and management for a national beer and wine distributor.

At the time, Right at Home was always in the background. His parents were growing their business, and he watched from the sidelines as they built it from the ground up.

Eventually, an opportunity arose for Mike to join the company in a sales role. What started as a position within the business gradually evolved into ownership.

“Little by little, that’s evolved into purchasing ownership in it,” Mike said. “Now my parents are still involved, but I’m the majority owner of the business.”

It’s a story that highlights something many prospective Franchise Owners don’t realize: there is no single background required to succeed in in-home care. Mike’s experience in sales, leadership, and relationship building provided a strong foundation for his transition into business ownership.

Why Right at Home?

When asked what appealed to him most about joining the company, Mike points to the unique balance between business growth and personal fulfillment.

“I thought it was such a great idea and such a rewarding way to own a business,” he said. “You’re able to make a living, but you’re also providing such a wonderful service to people who are in need.”

That combination remains one of the most compelling aspects of Franchise Ownership in in-home care.

While Mike appreciated the opportunity to work for himself and have control over business decisions, he was equally drawn to the impact the business could have on others.

“You get to do it under your terms,” he said. “If you decide to change things in your business, you’re able to make that pivot immediately. That sense of ownership and doing things every day and knowing that it directly impacts you was really appealing.”

Taking on Multiple Roles as a Business Owner

Ask Mike what a typical day looks like, and he’ll tell you there really isn’t one. Like many Franchise Owners, his role changes constantly depending on what the business needs most.

Some mornings begin by helping prepare the office for new employee orientation. Other days are filled with meetings, operational planning, or community engagement opportunities.

“As an owner, you’re still a small business owner,” Mike said. “Your day fluctuates from hour to hour.”

His leadership philosophy is simple: support the team however necessary.

“You surround yourself with good staff and lead by example,” he explained. “There’s nothing in this office that I’m not willing to do if I’m asking someone else to do it.”

That hands-on mindset has helped the Columbia office continue to grow while maintaining a strong company culture centered on teamwork and service.

The Value of a Franchise System

After more than a decade as a Franchise Owner, Mike’s needs have changed. Yet one thing remains constant: the value of having access to Right at Home’s support network.

“The biggest benefit is the number of resources that you have available to you,” he said.

Whether it’s reaching out to a performance coach, accessing resources through The Hub, or connecting with fellow Franchise Owners across the system, Mike believes those relationships significantly shorten the learning curve.

“I can call my performance coach, or I can reach out to another owner, and they’ll immediately tell me, ‘You should try this,’” he said.

For prospective Franchisees, that’s one of the biggest advantages of joining the established Franchise system. Rather than building every process from scratch, owners gain access to decades of collective experience and a network of peers who understand the challenges and opportunities of operating a home care business.

Making an Impact Beyond Home Care

One of the moments Mike is most proud of doesn’t take place inside his office.

Located in a military-friendly region of the country, Mike and his team have developed strong relationships with local veteran organizations. One of the most meaningful partnerships involves Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to remembering and honoring U.S. veterans.

Each year, volunteers place approximately 15,000 wreaths at the National Cemetery as part of the organization’s annual ceremony.

“It’s a monumental task, and it takes up a lot of time,” Mike said. “But it’s very rewarding when it’s all said and done.”

For Mike, the experience reflects what he enjoys most about owning a Right at Home business: the opportunity to make meaningful connections and support the communities where his team lives and works.

“The number of connections, the amount of thank-yous, the amount of people you get to impact doing this,” he said. “It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Advice for Prospective Franchisees

For individuals exploring Franchise Ownership, Mike offers a simple but important piece of advice: Be patient.

“This isn’t something that happens overnight,” he said. “These relationships are built over years.”

He encourages prospective owners to approach the business with humility and a willingness to put in the work required to build a strong foundation.

“You have to trust the process,” Mike said.

While growing a home care business requires dedication, he believes the rewards make the effort worthwhile.

“You’re helping people around the clock. You’re taking care of people’s families and loved ones,” he said.

For Mike, that’s what makes the business different. It’s not just about building a company. It’s about building relationships, serving others, and creating a lasting impact for the people who depend on you every day.

Continuing the Legacy

Twenty years after his parents first opened the doors to Right at Home Columbia, Mike is helping guide the business into its next stage of growth.

As he expands into a second territory and continues serving families throughout South Carolina, he remains focused on the same values that attracted him to the business years ago: service, relationships, and the opportunity to make a difference.

For prospective Franchise owners, his journey is a reminder that a healthcare background doesn’t determine success in in-home care. It’s built through leadership, commitment, and a genuine desire to help others.

And for Mike, that commitment continues to shape both his business and the community he proudly serves.