“You can make a difference in the life of another human being and that is both the purpose and reward of being a senior care advisor.”
The Decision
The decision to start my own business was quite simply a decision to make my passion my career. But making the business a reality was not so simple. It was both an exciting and daunting endeavor. How does one go about creating a startup business?
Early in 2013 I was considering a transition from my lifelong career in healthcare administration to one assisting seniors with the complexities of aging. It began with my experience as the primary caregiver to each of my parents over several years. After advancing through multiple health issues, my father passed away. Nine months later my mother died. Along the way, they were required to move from their home to facilities which could provide increasingly higher levels of care. This experience and my service as a hospice volunteer led to the decision to help seniors and their families navigate the challenges of later life.
Learning How to Succeed Starting a Business
People who know me well encouraged me to start the business. One of those people was a graduate of the New Ventures Maine’s (NVME’s) Venturing Forth: Business Plan Training for Entrepreneurs. She said I would learn about the startup process and develop a business plan. What wonderful advice!
During the interview for the program I said I didn’t know what I didn’t know about starting a business and needed help. This big unknown is what became clear to me in the 12-week, 60-hour course. NVME provided me with in-depth content on every aspect of the startup process and helped me write a business plan that is the cornerstone for my business Senior Planning Advisors, LLC. An additional benefit I received in Venturing Forth was the bond formed with my classmates and the invaluable support they provided.
Achieving my Dream
The convergence of my professional and personal lives has led to a business that allows me to provide services to seniors, elders, and family caregivers. My services allow them to make informed decisions and feel empowered, not overwhelmed, as they navigate life-stage transitions and later-life issues. As I continue to grow the business, the staff of NVME remain available for consultation and support. I am most grateful for that!
Spreading the Word about NVME Services
The NVME program gave me a roadmap to get my business up and running. Now I am pleased to serve as a NVME Ambassador. In this role I help promote NVME’s tuition-free services for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and people in career transition.