Her Story
About Jacqueline
Jacqueline Zafrilla is a compassionate and driven healthcare professional and entrepreneur based in Tampa, Florida, whose journey in the home care and hospice industry began during her freshman year of college in 2019. Starting as an administrative assistant in home health agencies while pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at the University of South Florida, Jacqueline steadily built her expertise and expanded her reach — moving into home care consulting where she honed her skills in sales and marketing, and later into hospice care where she cultivated meaningful relationships with physicians, hospital administrators, and case managers. These experiences not only deepened her clinical and operational knowledge but ignited a passion for creating something of her own. In January 2025, she took that leap of faith and launched Journey Together Home Care, a private duty home care agency serving Hillsborough County with a commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality care to those who need it most.
Guided by an unwavering faith and a deep sense of purpose, Jacqueline has built her agency around the values of humility, compassion, and accessibility. Journey Together Home Care is currently expanding its services to include care for adults with disabilities through contracts with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, reflecting her dedication to reaching underserved populations. Her personal experience as a lupus warrior has further shaped her empathy for patients navigating complex health journeys, and she channels that perspective into every aspect of her work. A monthly donor and advocate for the Lupus Foundation, as well as a supporter of St. Jude's, Jacqueline seamlessly integrates her philanthropic spirit into both her professional mission and her personal life. She is also an active member of the Professional Women of Hillsborough County, continuously investing in community and connection.
Beyond her business, Jacqueline is a passionate advocate for women in entrepreneurship and a firm believer that confidence, inner work, and a willingness to take risks are the cornerstones of lasting success. She encourages young women entering her field to silence self-doubt, surround themselves with genuine support, and boldly pursue their passions without hesitation. With aspirations to one day establish a nonprofit that bridges the care gap for uninsured and financially vulnerable patients, her vision extends far beyond her agency's current reach. Recognized as an Influential Woman representing Florida for 2026, Jacqueline Zafrilla stands as a testament to what is possible when faith, resilience, and an earnest desire to serve others are at the heart of everything you do.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jacqueline
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith and trust in God, the relationships and networks I built throughout my career in hospice and home care consulting, and the courage to take a risk and believe in myself. Stepping out and opening my own agency was not easy, but leaning on those pillars gave me the strength to make it happen.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is to find what you're truly passionate about and turn it into your own business — do what you love. Alongside that, I was reminded that nothing great ever comes without a risk, so you have to be willing to take that leap.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make yourself heard and never allow anyone to tell you that you can't achieve your goals. Take the risk, and do not doubt yourself. Anyone who isn't supporting your passion is not someone you need in your corner. You have to do the inner work to grow and build what you envision, and you cannot let others stand in your way. Be confident — your voice and your vision matter.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face is not being able to help everyone who needs care due to regulations around insurance, HIPAA guidelines, and the overhead costs that come with running an agency. It is heartbreaking to see elderly patients go without basic care simply because they lack the financial means or insurance coverage. However, I see a tremendous opportunity in bridging that gap — I am actively working on securing contracts to serve adults with disabilities, and I hope to one day establish a nonprofit that can provide care to those who otherwise wouldn't have access to it.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Humility and faith are at the core of everything I do. I believe in staying grounded — knowing that you can have it all and lose it just as quickly — so I make it a point to remain humble, help others, and treat everyone with kindness. I genuinely believe there is room for everyone to shine, and I carry that belief into both my personal life and my business every single day.
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