1. There's been a lot of discussion about people rethinking their careers. What changes have you noticed recently in the conversations you're having with prospective franchise owners?
The motivations haven't changed dramatically, but one topic I'm hearing more often is uncertainty about the future of traditional employment, particularly as AI continues to change the workplace. People are thinking more proactively about where they want to be five or ten years from now.
For some, that leads to a conversation about business ownership. They want greater control over their future, and franchising can provide an opportunity to become an entrepreneur while following an established system rather than building a business entirely from scratch.
2. Are today's candidates defining success differently than they did five or 10 years ago? What are they looking for beyond income?
For many candidates, success isn't just about earning a good living. They want to build something of their own while doing work that has meaning and purpose.
I don't think that's necessarily new, but I do think people are more willing to talk about it today. They want financial opportunity, but they also want to know that what they're building matters. In senior care, there's a very real opportunity to make a difference in the lives of seniors and their families while building a business for yourself.
3. Have you seen an increase in people leaving stable corporate careers in search of something more meaningful? What's driving those decisions?
Everyone's story is a little different, but I regularly speak with people who have built successful careers and reach a point where they ask, "Is this what I want to do for the rest of my working life?"
They may have a good job and a good income, but they're missing the personal fulfillment that comes from helping people. That desire to serve others, combined with the opportunity to control their own future, can be a powerful reason to explore business ownership.
4. What are some of the most common frustrations you hear from people before they decide to explore business ownership?
One of the biggest frustrations is simply not knowing where to start. People know they want something different, and they understand that owning a business requires hard work but making that first move can feel overwhelming.
I also hear of a desire for greater control. People want more influence over their future, the life they're creating for their family, and the work they do every day. Franchising can help bridge that gap because you're becoming a business owner without having to figure out every step on your own.
5. Can you share a recent example of someone who chose entrepreneurship because it better aligned with the life they wanted to build?
We recently had an owner who came from a career where they sometimes felt they were providing customers with services those customers didn't necessarily need. Over time, that became frustrating because they wanted their work to have a more direct and positive impact.
Through Caring Senior Service, they're now providing a service that families genuinely need. What's especially rewarding is that they're able to take the skills and experience they developed in their previous career and apply them to a business where they can make a meaningful difference for seniors and their families.
6. Many people assume fulfillment and financial success are separate goals. How do you help candidates evaluate whether they can achieve both?
It starts with listening. I want to understand what someone is trying to accomplish personally, professionally, and financially.
Then we have an open conversation about what owning this business actually looks like—the opportunity, the responsibilities, the system and the commitment required. A franchise provides a proven system, but the owner still has to execute that system and put in the work.
The goal is to help candidates determine whether Caring Senior Service aligns with both the life they want to build and their financial goals. Those two things don't have to be mutually exclusive.
7. For someone who feels stuck in their career but isn't sure business ownership is right for them, what questions should they be asking themselves?
I'd start with a few simple questions: Why do I want a change? What am I not getting from my career today? What do I want my life to look like five or ten years from now?
Then I'd go deeper: Am I willing to learn? Am I prepared for the responsibility and commitment that comes with owning a business? Do I believe in following a proven system? And do I want to surround myself with people who can help me take the next step in my entrepreneurial journey?
You don't have to know all the answers before exploring business ownership. Sometimes taking that first step and asking the right questions is how you find them.
8. Looking ahead, do you expect purpose and lifestyle to become even bigger factors in franchise ownership decisions? Why?
Absolutely. Purpose and lifestyle have always influenced business ownership decisions, and I believe they'll continue to become even more important.
People want to earn a good living, but they also want control over their future, fulfillment in their work, and the opportunity to be part of something meaningful. Home care brings those goals together in a unique way because you're building a business while providing a service that can have a direct impact on seniors, their families, and your community.
For the right person, there is a tremendous opportunity. But every entrepreneurial journey begins the same way: being willing to take that first step and find out what's possible.
Del Salinas
Director of Franchise Development
Del Salinas serves as Caring Senior Service’s director of franchise development and is responsible for expanding Caring into new markets across the United States.
Salinas was recruited to work as the director of HUB services for Caring Senior Service in 2018 from his previous roles in restaurant and service management. He worked for more than 20 years working with large companies implementing new systems to grow staff and profitability.