- Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located, and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Legacy Home Care is a private pay Home Care Agency that Serves individuals in any place they call home. This can be a residential home or senior living community like Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care. Legacy Home Care focuses on person-centered care, developing an individualized care plan based on the client’s needs and wishes. The hours and services provided can be minimal to 24 hours a day. Our client’s goals are our goals and we work in collaboration to ensure maximum independence is maintained while supporting activities of daily living and personal assistance. We have a team of professionals that includes Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Skilled Nursing/Nursing Case Management, and Home Health Aide services. We know individuals and families may need service quickly and we can start services quickly to support those unexpected needs. We service the Greater Twin Cities area including 21 counties from St. Cloud, MN down south to the Iowa / Minnesota border.
- Kindly give us a brief description of yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Having an opportunity at a young age to have exposure to healthcare at different levels helped define what my career path would be. Having a true passion for people I started my career as a CNA working in a nursing home which allowed me to realize I wanted more. My career continued with education and certification as a Certified Medical Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse (RN), and associate degree. While attending my education I was fortunate to work at each stage of education gaining practical experience and enhancing my theoretical knowledge working in a Long Term Care setting. Once I obtained my RN degree I pursued a career at a rural hospital gaining experience in ER, ICU, Surgery, General Medicine, OB, and Pediatrics. While this was amazing I wanted to prevent hospitalizations and what better way is having the opportunity to serve clients in their homes? This led me to Home Care which was a true eye-opener and blessing. I started as a Home Care Case Manager for 1 location and saw it grow to multiple locations and Assisted Living Settings. After doing this for 5 years I decided to take a position as a Director of Nursing for a multi-specialty/multi-site clinic system with 2 surgery centers and remained at this position for 11 years. During this time I was able to continue my education and obtained a bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and then a Masters Degree in Leadership and Management. I was fortunate to continue to grow my experience however the calling of Home Care was still present so I made the pivot for the last time in my career to Legacy Home Care.
- What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Legacy Home Care was started in 2011 due to identifying a need to diversify our business as we were seeing gaps in care as many Home Health agencies did not offer private pay services or were limited on the services provided leaving opportunities to enhance care delivery and reduce acute health changes keeping individuals in their home. We wanted to provide a holistic approach to our patients and provide the very best care that allows them to age in place.
- What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
I think the biggest piece of advice that I would give is to realize that you need to elevate your lid continually. To remain relevant in any business you need to keep ideas fresh, be willing to learn, and not take yourself too seriously.
- What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Organization, approachable, and an active listener.
- How many hours do you work a day on average?
However many hours depend on the day! You do whatever is needed to accomplish the day’s work. Some days are longer than others.
- To what do you most attribute your success?
I think the biggest piece I learned early on in my career was to always be open to learning and get used to being uncomfortable. Be open and willing to work with those who are smarter than you– seek their help, advice, and resources, and be willing to accept that things change and that what we did today doesn’t mean that we do the same thing tomorrow.
- How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
A few things come to mind here. One is our clinical team who are out there providing care every day. Being known as a friendly face and valuable resource to the communities that our clients live in has helped set us apart from others.
Another is our team of community liaisons. Our community liaisons work with community staff, help explain services to clients and their families, assist with paperwork and documentation, and share additional resources that allow them to live safely at home.
- Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
The business was formed internally. It was created after identifying a need for additional care in the communities that we served. At the time Legacy Home Care started, we had already had over 17 years of experience in providing insurance-based home care in Minnesota and had the abilities and resources to provide additional services for those who wanted to age in place.
- What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Maintaining a clear vision and strategy putting your people and clients in the forefront. Having a team of talented individuals who prioritize the importance of customer-driven care and high-quality services while evolving with the changes that naturally occur in the market.
Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
I envision myself continuing to be a key contributor to this company, more importantly, I see the business continuing to grow. Healthcare isever-evolvingg and we will continue to strive to remain competitive in the marketplace while providing essential services to enhance people’s lives wherever they call home.
Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ecolab is a company that I have admired. As another leading business in Minnesota that specializes in food service, hospitality, healthcare, and more; their mission aligns closely with ours as they work with customers to ensure their employees are safe and comfortable.
While our mission is to provide our clients with exceptional care customized to meet their specific needs… it aligns with theirs because as we provide care to our clients, we aim to keep them safe and comfortable wherever they call home.
Recommended Questions:
- How important have good employees been to your success?
Employees directly contribute to a company’s success by consistently delivering high-quality work and enhancing customer satisfaction, a key driver for business growth and stability. As an employer, we invest in our employees providing education, guidance, and resources to help them be successful at work and outside of work.
- How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
It depends on what the idea is and what problem that idea is solving. Not all ideas are good ideas, but it doesn’t mean that they’re bad ideas… it just means maybe that wasn’t the right timing for that idea. I think the most important thing we need to remember is what we are trying to solve, and what are the short-term and long-term implications.
- What motivates you?
Motivation comes from seeing the positive impact that we have on people’s lives—clients, co-workers, employees, friends, and family.
Optional Questions:
- What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made in business?
Early on in my career I was driven with blinders on and tended to judge too quickly. I have learned that being driven and energetic are positive attributes, however, sometimes you have to slow down and sleep on it before jumping to a decision or a conclusion. Value the opinions of others and the differences individuals bring to the table. You will learn something!
What makes you happy?
Truly what makes me happy is giving to people. I was born a caregiver and will always be a caregiver—remember we’re caring for people and that giving doesn’t mean giving money or things… giving means giving of yourself and I think that’s what makes me happy and the more that I can see individuals have happiness—it’s the greatest return.
Business Name
Legacy Home Care
Contact Name
Shawn Franklin
Business Phone
763-593-1000
Website