We were lucky to catch up with Heather Baker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s something crazy on unexpected that’s happened to you or your business

We were cleaning out the home of a hoarder after she had passed. Her daughter, who had lived with her, was convinced that her mother was the hoarder, and that she was not a hoarder. As we worked with her, it became clear that both of them had been hoarders, as it was nearly impossible to get the daughter to let go of items that were basically trash. The daughter was convinced that her mother and father had been great archeologists of Native American culture. I have some background in Native American history and art. The things she thought were precious were clearly tourist items from the side of the road. After we had done all that we could to find saleable things in the house, to give the daughter some kind of cash, instead of allowing us to donate or toss the remaining items that were unsold, she asked us to pack them so she could move them to her 1 bedroom apartment. (Most of a 3 bedroom house was still left.) We did pack it all up for her, but we told her that it would not fit in the space she was trying to fit it into, so we could not move it for her. Then she ghosted us and avoided paying her $10K bill. We had to take legal action to get paid.

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.

My mother had been the caregiver for my father for about 10 years in South Orange County. One day, I got a call from her. She had had a fall, wounded her leg, and had received a breast cancer diagnosis all in one week. She asked for help.

My parents both were hoarders. My husband and I were working full time at other jobs, but for 5-6 months, every weekend both Saturday and Sunday, we went down to their apartment, and began to downsize them to be able to fit into the 1 bedroom ADU that we have on our property. We were pulling our hair out looking for someone to help. We couldn’t find anyone to help! we got them moved up to LA County, where we live.

Once we got my folks settled into the ADU and set up with their new doctors, my husband saw a quiz in the Entrepreneur magazine. He took the quiz, and was given a list of 5 franchises that might be a fit to his talents and likes. One of those companies was Caring Transitions. He followed through and began talking with Caring Transitions about buying a franchise. We found that not only did we know that people needed this kind of service, but that we had been training for this sort of business all our lives, without even knowing it.

We know that we are helping people every day. We are not only helping the Seniors, but their adult children as well. Not only do we help with the practicalities of downsizing and relocation, we lend a listening ear to seniors and their families who are just plain overwhelmed by the whole process of relocation.

Have you ever had to pivot?

We opened our franchise (office) of Caring Transitions South Bay PV in November of 2018. When the pandemic of 2020 started, we were still establishing our business in our region. We had been taught at the franchisee training to go visit potential referral partners in person. We could not go anywhere in person. The Senior Living facilities didn’t even let families in to see their loved ones, let alone allow me in to show them what we could do for them. Realtors and Elder Law attorneys all started working from home. Networking meetings were not allowed in person.

I switched to a lot of zoom networking meetings, as did everyone else. I changed from in person to using the telephone, email, and snail mail. I sent handwritten notes to people to stand out from the zoom arena. We dropped off boxes of packaged cookies at the doors of senior livings for the employees. We had to re-invent how to become known in the area as the people who could get it done.

Fortunately we had CTBids.com, our Online Auction platform, where we could do “Covid Safe” sales for families.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My husband and I met in Seventh Grade! We were both in the band. He played trumpet, and I played saxophone, so he sat behind me. I didn’t notice him. However, outside of band, I had noticed his best friend. My husband and I met in Seventh Grade! We were both in the band. He played trumpet, and I played saxophone, so he sat behind me. I didn’t notice him. However, outside of band, I had noticed his best friend. got his friend to tell me that Tim liked me. I was in shock. I hadn’t even noticed Tim. After 42 wonderful years together, I am thankful that John passed that message on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CaringTransitionsSBPV.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caringtransitionssbpv/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTSouthBayPV
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18887805/admin/
• Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/CaringBay
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCADqTj2dGRYbiZF9sJwfa3A