This Franchise Training Mistake That Almost Broke Our New Owners — Christina Chartrand
Release Date: 04/29/2025
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How Chasing Growth Nearly Broke My Business (And the Process That Saved It) — Dr. Greg Sanchez Jr.
Home Care Hindsight
Dr. Greg Sanchez, a former pharmaceutical scientist turned Home Instead franchise owner, shares how rapid growth nearly derailed his business, and the policies that saved it. From evacuating bedbound clients during wildfires to securing $400K in training grants, Greg reveals how to scale without sacrificing stability. Learn why overtime below 2% is possible, how to hire schedulers who thrive on chaos, and why the "gray market" of private caregivers threatens the industry. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. The hidden costs of growing "at all costs" and how to avoid bankruptcy. 2....
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John Bennett, CEO of DLEM Holdings, reveals how his obsession with data nearly stalled his multi-agency empire—until one accidental escape room outing reignited growth. In this heartfelt episode, John shares how culture saved his business, what he learned from six acquisitions (including one that led to an FBI raid), and the systems that allow his team to thrive across five states. From team rituals and storytelling to onboarding playbooks and Zingage gamification, John maps out how he’s scaling connections without losing control. In this episode, you’ll discover: 1. The three types...
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This Franchise Training Mistake That Almost Broke Our New Owners — Christina Chartrand
Home Care Hindsight
Christina Chartrand, SVP of Training at Senior Helpers, reveals why companionship is the unspoken "glue" of home care—even if no one pays for it directly. In this episode, she shares: 1. The sugarcoating mistake that backfired with new franchisees (and how brutal honesty builds better owners) 2. Why puppetry skills translate to dementia care (plus her past life as a professional puppeteer) 3. The 3-year rollercoaster rule—why early chaos is normal (and when it stabilizes) 4. Age-Friendly Care certification—how Senior Helpers is redefining senior independence Lesson Takeaways: 1....
info_outlineChristina Chartrand, SVP of Training at Senior Helpers, reveals why companionship is the unspoken "glue" of home care—even if no one pays for it directly. In this episode, she shares:
1. The sugarcoating mistake that backfired with new franchisees (and how brutal honesty builds better owners)
2. Why puppetry skills translate to dementia care (plus her past life as a professional puppeteer)
3. The 3-year rollercoaster rule—why early chaos is normal (and when it stabilizes)
4. Age-Friendly Care certification—how Senior Helpers is redefining senior independence
Lesson Takeaways:
1. Companionship > Tasks: Clients remember Dollar Store trips more than shower assistance.
2. Train ugly truths: Franchisees need reality checks about 3 AM caregiver calls upfront.
3. Delegate or stagnate: Micromanaging owners cap their growth at 20 clients.
4. "What matters most?" Age-Friendly Care flips the script from deficits to purpose.
Timestamps:
00:00 - The companionship paradox ("Nobody pays for $35/hr chats")
02:15 - From kindergarten teacher to puppeteer to senior care leader
05:30 - The franchise training fail: Glossing over the 3 AM emergencies
09:45 - Why the first 3 years feel like "Pong" (client/caregiver whiplash)
13:20 - Fixing cynicism: Scream in your car, then lead with positivity
17:00 - The industry’s image problem ("Stop depicting seniors as helpless")
21:30 - Life Profile: Predicting hospitalizations with 20 years of data
25:10 - Center of Excellence hack: Training in clutter-filled "apartments"
29:45 - Age-Friendly Care certification explained ("Medications + what matters")
33:20 - Plug: Senior Helpers’ risk-assessment apartments (floral couch included)
Quotes
1. "Nobody pays $35/hour for companionship—but it’s the glue of the relationship." — Christina
2. "If you’re the last to know a client’s moving to assisted living, shame on you." — Christina
3. "Delegate like your business depends on it (because it does)." — Christina
Resources:
1. Senior Helpers: https://www.seniorhelpers.com
2. Age-Friendly Health Systems: https://www.ihi.org/agefriendly
3. Connect with Christina Chartrand on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-chartrand-07b3587/
4. Connect with David Knack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-knack/
5. Connect with Zingage on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zingage/
6. Powered by Zingage: https://zingage.com/
7. Watch Episode on Zingage’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zingage