Joleen Tietz

I attribute my success to tenacity, persistence, and a clear commitment to moving forward despite challenges. I have learned that success is not built on ideas alone, but on consistent action, discipline, and the patience to keep showing up over the long term. Maintaining a strong vision has guided me through obstacles and helped me stay focused on building something meaningful rather than simply reacting to circumstances. A defining turning point in my journey came when I started my home care business to support my father’s care needs, and after his passing in 2021, I was faced with the decision to either sell the company or continue forward. Although a buyout was considered, I recognized that the business represented far more than financial value it embodied purpose, impact, and responsibility to both clients and employees. That realization strengthened my resolve to continue building the company, and it pushed me to systemize operations, delegate effectively, and develop a sustainable model designed for long-term growth and franchise expansion.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that sales is a fundamental skill in every business, regardless of industry or role. I learned that true success comes from taking the time to understand a client’s specific needs rather than approaching conversations with a generic pitch or a one-size-fits-all solution. When you shift your focus from simply selling services to genuinely solving problems, you build trust, create long-term relationships, and deliver outcomes that are more meaningful and sustainable for both the client and the business.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to follow your passion rather than being driven by financial opportunity alone. Healthcare, especially in home care, requires heart, compassion, and a genuine commitment to serving others, and those qualities cannot be replaced by skill alone. There will be difficult days, but they are much easier to navigate when you are truly connected to the purpose behind the work and understand the impact you are making in people’s lives. Take time to reflect deeply on whether the industry aligns with your values and long-term goals, because when purpose and profession are aligned, it creates both resilience and fulfillment in your career.

The biggest challenge and opportunity in the home care industry right now is staffing, as the ability to recruit, support, and retain quality caregivers directly determines both service quality and business success. Strong employees tend to remain in environments where leadership is supportive, communication is clear, and company culture is positive, while even well-compensated caregivers may leave when management is ineffective or disconnected. Because of this, organizations that invest in people, prioritize culture, and build strong operational systems gain a clear competitive advantage. At the same time, the industry is experiencing significant growth driven by the aging Baby Boomer population, creating strong opportunities for expansion and impact. For new franchise owners, it is important to understand that while you are in business for yourself, you are not alone there is extensive support available through systems, training, HR guidance, marketing assistance, and operational structure, and those who fully leverage these resources are best positioned to scale successfully and build sustainable, purpose-driven businesses.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are strong faith, family, and a deep commitment to caring for others in a meaningful and sustainable way. I believe that prioritizing employee well-being is essential, especially in caregiving, where preventing burnout directly impacts the quality and consistency of care provided to clients. I also hold firmly to the principle that when you take care of your staff, they are better equipped to take care of those they serve. For me, this translates into building a supportive, respectful company culture where care, integrity, and compassion are consistently demonstrated at every level of the organization.