We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Parker-Tunnell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

The largest problem with growing in this business, is the amount paid to company’s to provide trustworthy, reliable, home care. It does not provide a way to profit as the funds required to pay and receive the proper care is way too low. I pay a good rate to caregivers, and after that, I am able to pay bills. I am grateful that I can pay bills, but it makes it very hard to grow. The job market is extremely competitive, and being a small company, I have limitations that larger companies don’t have. For example, the state pays an agency 18.73 per hour to provide daily living assistance. I am paying caregivers 14.-15. per hour so that leave the company making 3 to 4 dollars and hour. The need for home care is growing due to seniors and disabled persons wanting to age at home. It is more expensive to seek alternative living arrangements, and also takes them away from where the heart is. At home.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

The business was started in 2018 by my daughter and I. After experiencing the need to have 24/7 care in my own home for 8 years, I realized there were a lot of things that living the experience could bring to a company structured by the ins and outs of daily living with home care help. We provide daily living assistance which can include bathing, dressing, meal prep, medication reminders, transportation to Dr. Appointments, errands, grocery shopping, general housekeeping etc. I feel our company strives to help all those who need it and not just the ones who will be most profitable. We keep great communication with our clients and employees. Our business is driven by compassion and being a smaller company, ensures caregivers and clients can have direct contact with the office as well extra care and attention to details. Also, constantly letting our caregivers know that they are appreciated by the business as well as their clients is at the upmost importance as well.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Starting this business was all in the heart but funding came from my 401K. I was on the mission to help people in my communities and as of yet, have not been able to make the money back. The reward has been the amount of individuals we have been able to make smile and feel appreciated.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I have heard of many people wanting to start a home care business as they think that once all the paperwork, licensing, and processes are organized and intiated, then off they go. NO…that is definitely not the case. Many referral agencies that I now network with and receive referrals from, would not even consider me until I had been in business for over a year. Your communities and referral agencies need to trust that you are in the business to take care of people. Most client’s are very vulnerable and need to be protected. Families need to know that their loved ones are in trustworthy and capable hands when they are seeking care for family. I would say that it took a good couple of years before that trust was obtained as a home care agency capable in the eyes of those who needed us.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yourihc.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stayathome2016/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/f-amy-parker-tunnell-26152240/

Image Credits
F. Amy Parker-Tunnell