Helping Seniors Age in Place Safely

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maeghan Scott, owner of Right at Home of Essex County, located in West Orange, NJ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am the owner & operator of a home care agency, Right at Home of Essex County. Right at Home is an international franchise, and we service all of Essex County, New Jersey. We provide high-touch, in-home care services to seniors and adults with disabilities in our territory.

Tell us about yourself

Prior to owning my business, I worked for Public Relations agencies focusing on consumer food & beverage brands. I also used my master’s degree in nutrition education to run a part-time health-coaching business.

My dad was the owner & operator of Right at Home of Essex County, which he purchased in 2004, almost 20 years ago. Sadly, he passed away in 2017 after a brief illness. Knowing how hard he worked to build this business and how important his clients and caregivers were to him, I left my career in PR to take over as owner and operator of Right at Home of Essex County.

I am motivated by my dad and my desire to honor his legacy. I am motivated by my aging clients, who deserve great care in their later years and toward the end of their lives. I am motivated by my hard-working caregivers’ need to put food on the table for their families. I continue to build my business to provide them with opportunities to work as much as possible.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Since taking over my dad’s business, we have grown by 300% and surpassed annual revenue goals that I would never have imagined we could attain. In fact, we have maintained consistent growth year over year for the last six years. As a result of our success, we now own our own building with a sign out in the front, which had always been one of my father’s goals.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Owning a healthcare business means no days off. Our business runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When I do have the opportunity to get away or relax, I do find it hard to truly disconnect as there is always something to do or think about.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Get comfortable with the idea that you cannot ask anyone to BE you or care about your business the way that you do. You may hire great personnel, but you should always expect that they will put their own best interests first.
Surround yourself with people who complement your skills and bring something different to the table. In the business world, differences in style, personality, skills, and culture within the leadership team can be a superpower.
Commit to giving yourself to your business 24/7 for the first several years. Understand that it may not always be this way, but it may have to be at the beginning to preserve resources and perfect your vision.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.rightathome.net/essex-county
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RightAtHomeEssexCounty
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maeghanscott/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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