ALF Boss Podcast: From Nurse to ALF Owner – Nikita Jenkins’ Journey
Release Date: 02/12/2025
From Fitness to Leadership: Talia Sfarr’s Journey to Executive Director at Market Street Viera
ALF BOSS Podcast
In this episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, Pascal sits down with the vibrant and inspiring Talia Sfarr, Executive Director of Market Street Viera, a fully memory care assisted living community in Melbourne, Florida. Talia shares her unique path from Boston's corporate world and senior fitness programs to becoming a passionate leader in assisted living. You’ll hear: How Talia transitioned from fitness to sales to executive leadership Her views on staffing, compliance, and building trust with both residents and staff The story behind Market Street’s beautiful...
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From Canada to Caring for Hundreds: Lonnie Steckler’s 25-Year Journey in Assisted Living
ALF BOSS Podcast
In this week’s episode of the ALF Boss Podcast, Pascal sits down with longtime friend and fellow ALF operator, Lonnie Steckler, owner and administrator of The Pointe of North Gables in Miami. From growing up in a Canadian family-run ALF to becoming a skilled nursing administrator, and eventually leading one of Miami's premier assisted living communities—Lonnie shares the lessons, setbacks, and successes from his two-decade career. We talk family dynamics, managing staff turnover, finding joy in leadership, how trusting your team can lead to a deficiency-free survey, and...
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🎙️ ALF Boss Podcast Episode: Dance Parties, Real Talk & Resident Care – A Conversation with Jennifer Cavaliere
ALF BOSS Podcast
In this lively episode, Pascal sits down with Jennifer Cavaliere, administrator of Elevated Estates at Forest Oaks in Spring Hill, Florida. What starts with a laugh-filled intro turns into a heartfelt, real-world conversation about leadership, sales, resident care, and—yes—impromptu dance parties in the lobby. Jennifer shares how her journey began with personal ties to Forest Oaks, from her grandmother being a resident to eventually sitting in the administrator’s chair herself. She opens up about the challenges of staffing in rural areas, navigating family communication, and...
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🎙️ ALF Operations Podcast – Featuring Dana Jarrett, Executive Director at Brookshire Assisted Living Presented by ALF Boss – Improving Assisted Living Compliance & Marketing
ALF BOSS Podcast
In this episode of the ALF Operations Podcast, we're joined by the powerhouse behind Brookshire Assisted Living in Melbourne, FL – Executive Director Dana Jarrett. From her humble beginnings as a CNA at 17 to now leading a 135-bed community with memory care, Dana shares her inspiring journey through the world of assisted living. We dig into her roots growing up on a farm, the emotional turning point that led her to healthcare, and the real challenges (and victories) of turning around a struggling Medicaid facility. Dana opens up about building strong teams, managing with heart, and...
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ALFBOSS Podcast Episode: From Caregiver to Administrator – The Journey of Lynette Kramer
ALF BOSS Podcast
Welcome to the ALFBO Podcast, where we dive into real conversations with real people in the assisted living world. This week, I’m joined by the amazing Lynette Kramer from Casalia Gardens Assisted Living Facility—a six-bed, all-female memory care home that's about to expand to ten beds and beyond! Lynette’s journey is the ultimate inspiration—from caregiver to assistant administrator to licensed administrator. She opens up about the steps she took to grow in the industry, the power of hands-on learning, and what it really takes to lead a facility with heart, hustle,...
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Inside the Role of a Wellness Director with Danielle Ruffner
ALF BOSS Podcast
Welcome to the ALF Boss Podcast! This week, I’m joined by a special guest, Danielle Ruffner, Chief Wellness Director at Elevated Estates Properties. Danielle oversees the wellness directors and clinical operations across multiple communities, ensuring compliance and improving care systems. In this episode, Danielle breaks down the day-to-day responsibilities of a wellness director, highlighting the importance of medication management, resident assessments, coordinating home health services, and ensuring compliance with medical orders. She shares insights into the...
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ALF Boss Podcast – Featuring Merideth Bisel, Regional Director of Operations at Elite Assisted Living
ALF BOSS Podcast
Welcome to this week’s episode of the ALF Boss Podcast! I’m excited to have a special guest and friend on the show, Merideth Bisel, Regional Director of Operations at Elite Assisted Living. Merideth’s journey into the assisted living industry is an inspiring one—starting in healthcare right after high school, working with adults with disabilities, and later becoming a nurse. After moving to Florida just four years ago, she discovered the world of assisted living and quickly rose through the ranks, making a significant impact in the field. In this...
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🎙 ALF Boss Podcast: Rocking the Assisted Living Industry with Roberta DeMeo 🎙
ALF BOSS Podcast
Welcome to another exciting episode of the ALF Boss Podcast! Today, I’m sitting down with an absolute rockstar in the assisted living world—Roberta DeMeo, Executive Director of Grand Villa of New Port Richey. With over eight years in assisted living and a background in home health since 1995, Roberta brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion to the industry. In this episode, we dive into: How she keeps her 150-bed facility nearly full year-round The power of networking and marketing in the ALF industry Why staff...
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ALF Boss Podcast: From Nurse to ALF Owner – Nikita Jenkins’ Journey
ALF BOSS Podcast
Welcome back to the ALF Boss Podcast! This week, I’m excited to sit down with a good friend, Nikita Jenkins, owner of YoungHearts Extended Assisted Living in Lottie and Stark, Florida. Nikita went from working as a board-certified mental health nurse to owning and operating two thriving assisted living facilities—one with six beds and another with 25. In this episode, we dive into: Her journey from nursing to assisted living ownership The challenges of opening her first facility and how she filled her beds The process of expanding to a larger 25-bed facility...
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🎙️ The ALF Boss Podcast - Advocating for Limited Mental Health ALFs 🎙️
ALF BOSS Podcast
This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Pamela Quiroga, owner and administrator of Old Cutler Bay ALF, to discuss her journey from inheriting a single Limited Mental Health (LMH) facility to expanding her operations. How she got into the ALF industry unexpectedly The challenges and rewards of running an LMH-focused ALF Why LMH facilities are crucial for mental health care and homelessness solutions The funding struggles LMH facilities face—and how to navigate them How ALFs can advocate for better support and recognition in...
info_outlineWelcome back to the ALF Boss Podcast! This week, I’m excited to sit down with a good friend, Nikita Jenkins, owner of YoungHearts Extended Assisted Living in Lottie and Stark, Florida. Nikita went from working as a board-certified mental health nurse to owning and operating two thriving assisted living facilities—one with six beds and another with 25.
In this episode, we dive into:
Her journey from nursing to assisted living ownership
The challenges of opening her first facility and how she filled her beds
The process of expanding to a larger 25-bed facility
The biggest struggles in running an ALF—staffing, Medicaid, and marketing
Her advice for new operators on networking and filling beds
Nikita shares her inspiring story of taking a leap of faith, leaving her nursing job, and building a business that serves her community. If you’re looking for insights on starting, growing, or running a successful assisted living facility—this episode is for you!
Shoutout to YoungHearts Extended Assisted Living!
Currently at full capacity with a waitlist, Nikita has built a trusted home for seniors in rural Florida.
Tune in now and be inspired! #ALFBossPodcast #AssistedLiving #SeniorCare #Entrepreneurship