SCHERERVILLE | After William and Tammy Spearson learned the value and need for home health care through personal experience, they decided to make it their second career.
Tammy, experienced in the legal field, and William, a former plant manager for automotive and power suppliers, returned to the region from Louisiana to care for her mother, and then her stepfather and a grandmother.
Changing locations also meant changing careers.
"Bill had made millions for all these companies, but he wanted to do something more to help others," Tammy Spearson said.
The couple bought and opened Home Helpers of Schererville – a franchise of Cincinnati-based Home Helpers – in May after studying franchise opportunities in the field.
"After the personal experiences we went through, we sought out different franchises in that area and Home Helpers has been rated No. 1 (senior care franchise) by Entrepreneur magazine for the past four years," Tammy Spearson said. "Making the change was not difficult because we're both business-oriented, but it's a lot different from what we've done in the past."
The franchise fee and startup costs totaled nearly $100,000, an investment that should be recouped in about a year, William Spearson said.
The business provides home care for seniors plus recuperative care and continuing care for clients of all ages in communities within Lake, St. Joseph, Elkhart and Jasper counties.
It is licensed as a personal services agency by the state, and is bonded and insured. All employees undergo background checks and drug testing.
"We don't hire anyone who's not compassionate and caring," Tammy Spearson said. "That's very important to us."
Home Helpers workers run errands, provide transportation, help with home care, and do anything and everything else that allows clients to stay in their homes.
"We even do it for new moms," Tammy Spearson said.
While the business doesn't provide medical services, different providers are available to do so.
"Families know we're there for their loved ones," she said. "It relieves the stress associated with daily living for the client and their family. It lessens the burden."
Cost depends on services given, and care plans are individualized for each client.
The couple says they are rewarded by their work "every day."
"We enjoy doing what we do, and when we meet with clients and they are happy with the information we provide, it gives them some options and helps them put minds at ease," Tammy Spearson said.
