The Story Behind Homecare United

By Dallas Romanowski

In 2014, I met a couple who owned a homecare franchise and they were faced with a dilemma.  An unexpected personal issue prevented the owners from running the day-to-day operations of the business. The couple [We’ll call them Jim and Anne Clark] struggled to make an incredibly difficult decision to sell their business. Their franchise wasn’t just a revenue source. To them, it was exceedingly personal. They loved making a difference in people’s lives. 

Jim and Anne sought me out because they were familiar with my expertise in business coaching, finance, mergers and acquisitions, and especially, leadership succession. Assuring an appropriate legacy was first and foremost for Jim and Anne. They’d put their hearts and souls into the agency, helping families to find compassionate, responsible caregivers for their loved ones at home. Their clients needed help.  Many of them are going through challenging times with aging parents and spouses. It was crushing for Jim and Anne to have to walk away, but they knew they needed to sell the business. 

As we brokered the sale, we talked to many interested buyers. One buyer candidate, in particular, rose to the top. This buyer, a husband-wife team, had leadership experience, were passionate about the company’s mission, and had the financial means to make the down payment, as well as secure an SBA loan. In short, they were exactly the buyers Jim and Anne had hoped for at the outset.

It took about six months to close the transaction. Letting go of the business was tough, but it enabled Jim and Anne to attend to personal matters and start the process of enjoying retirement. 

As for the new owners, they were ready to build on the foundation the Clarks worked so hard to establish. They were excited about owning a company with a mission of helping others live more happily at home. Years later, the company is still thriving and continues to make a positive difference in the community.  

In the coming years, our firm would broker many more homecare transactions. Our experience has helped us understand how crucial homecare is to the rapidly growing demographic of U.S. seniors. It also made us realize we had exactly the right skill set and entrepreneurial experience to help buyers and sellers achieve their personal vision. 

In 2017, we brokered another homecare business sale. As providence would have it, this owner, Larry Blacker, would eventually join our team as a Business Advisor. After starting the agency with his Dad 19 years prior, Larry decided he was ready to do something different.  During the selling process, Larry and I would develop a terrific rapport and we both decided it would be great to work together. It’s a huge advantage to have someone who knows what it’s like to walk in the seller’s shoes.

Since those early days in 2014, we’ve worked with dozens of homecare businesses. We’re proud to say that all of our clients were generated via word-of-mouth referrals. We love the homecare industry because of its people and the relationships we build. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing our clients fulfill their mission of care while securing well-deserved, high ROIs when they sell their business.

Where Do You Come In?

We started Homecare United to provide straight-forward, no-fluff answers for buyers of home health care businesses. At the same time, we also chart the perfect roadmap to help sellers plan their exits and watch their legacies thrive in the future. 

Our team believes that everyone involved in a home care business deal deserves to be fully enlightened on the pros, cons, immediate opportunities, and long-term potential. That’s WHY we work to educate buyers and sellers simultaneously, creating win-win outcomes that move beyond mere transactions. 

On the buyer’s side, we know that this is a major, life-changing decision that requires the right kind of guidance to trigger continued success. On the seller’s side, we understand that preserving legacy matters – especially in a business founded on passion and commitment to help others. We keep both of these sentiments at the forefront of our efforts as we determine the best moves for all involved.

For potential buyers, we share key aspects for evaluating a home care business opportunity. For potential sellers, we’ll show owners how to look at the same aspects to maximize their business value and set up the new owners for prosperity. This dual-perspective tells a to-be seller exactly what an educated buyer will consider. The same is true on the flip side. And that’s why we’re certain that if you’ve come to Homecare United, we can help you achieve your goals.