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Maureen Simmons, a former account manager with Intuit’s tax division and a stay-at-home mom, is a prime example of someone who found her second calling in senior care. In 2017, she launched her Senior Care Authority franchise in El Dorado, Folsom and Orangevale, California. With a deep desire to make a difference and a franchise that provided a solid support system, Simmons has successfully helped countless families find the right care solutions for their aging loved ones.
“The most rewarding part is helping families — they often come back and tell me, ‘You’re an angel.’ Seeing the appreciation in their eyes and hearing it in their voices means everything,” said Simmons. “Plus, I love being able to control my own time. I’m a one-woman show, and that flexibility is invaluable.”
Her journey is a testament to how franchising can offer the structure, purpose and fulfillment that many professionals seek in their second careers.
1851 Franchise spoke with Simmons to learn more about her journey to Senior Care Authority, how she’s grown her business and her plans for the future.
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Maureen Simmons: I was an account manager with Intuit, in their tax division, and I was also a stay-at-home mom for roughly 20 years. When my youngest got into high school, I decided it was time to make a difference. I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to use my mind and keep busy, but also to help others. The more the franchise broker got to know me, the more he realized that I was someone who wanted to help people and find solutions.
1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?
Simmons: I didn’t really have any entrepreneurial spirit, but I felt like I had the skills for it. What drew me to franchising was that I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel — there was already a plan in place. I’m not a businessperson by nature, so that seemed daunting, but with a franchise, you get the guidance and support you need.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Simmons: The more I learned about Senior Care Authority and its founders, the more appealing their model became. It was smaller than other placement franchises, but big enough to have already figured out what worked. I liked that they offered more than just placement services — things like elder care consulting and Beyond Driving with Dignity. That variety provides more opportunities for someone in this business.
1851: How has the business been thus far?
Simmons: We started in 2017, and it’s been great. It took dedication and creative thinking to get it going, and I made some mistakes, but I learned from them. Once I gained momentum, it really took off. The most rewarding part is helping families — they often come back and tell me, “You’re an angel.” Seeing the appreciation in their eyes and hearing it in their voices means everything. Plus, I love being able to control my own time. I’m a one-woman show, and that flexibility is invaluable.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Simmons: “You really have to have your ‘why’ in place. Yes, it can be profitable, but you need a big heart and to be doing it for the right reasons. If not, you won’t be successful.”
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Simmons: Talking to other franchisees is critical. You don’t just want to hear what the franchisor says, but also the experiences of those who’ve been in your shoes. If you follow the path others have taken, you’ll be successful. And you have to have patience — things take time.
For more information, visit: https://1851franchise.com/senior-care-authority.
About Senior Care Authority
Senior Care Authority® was founded in 2009, began franchising in 2014, and currently serves over 100 locations in 30 states. The network consists of professionally trained and experienced local advisors who assist families with the overwhelming challenges associated with selecting the best options in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care, and navigating through a complex healthcare system. Senior Care Authority offers Eldercare Consulting services to families and is the exclusive provider of the Beyond Driving with Dignity program. Learn more at www.seniorcareauthority.com.
