Nursing a Dream: Ashley Wadiak’s Path to a BrightStar Care® Franchisee

Starting a business is a bold endeavor that often stems from a desire for change and a commitment to making a difference. Ashley Wadiak's journey to becoming a BrightStar Care franchisee exemplifies her determination and passion for improving lives.

Ashley's professional path has been both diverse and impactful. After four years of service in the military as a Marine, she went back to school and studied to become a nurse. Her experiences before the military and while she was in nursing school, working in healthcare facilities, and a stint in county healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, all played pivotal roles in shaping her path to entrepreneurship in the healthcare industry.

A Desire to Make a Difference

Ashley's motivation to explore home healthcare businesses was deeply rooted in her experiences as a nurse. While working in skilled healthcare facilities, she witnessed firsthand the care that healthcare agencies provide, which enticed her to step in and be the change communities and families need. However, these experiences left her yearning for the opportunity to make an impact on a broader scale.

"As a nurse, I realized that I was helping and could make a difference, but not a huge one as just one individual," Ashley reflects. "However as a business owner, I could amplify that impact by setting higher standards and expectations for the care provided."

Ashley wants to start training employees and setting a higher standard of care. Her desire for meaningful change and her passion for nursing ultimately led her to start exploring franchise opportunities in the healthcare sector.

The Spark of Entrepreneurship

Ashley's journey into entrepreneurship was a shared dream with her husband, Cody, whom she met during her military service. Both of them shared a strong desire to become small business owners, and as Ashley ventured further into the field of nursing, their interest in healthcare-related entrepreneurship deepened.

When she moved into staffing during her experience as a nurse, she started researching different healthcare agencies and discovered that the BrightStar Care franchise brand aligned perfectly with her entrepreneurial vision.

"When I heard the BrightStar Care CEO, Shelly, speak for just ten minutes, I was sold,” Ashley recalls. “Their commitment to a higher standard of care and the level of support they provide to franchisees really set them apart from the rest for me."

As a recognized leader in home healthcare, BrightStar Care franchisees get access to a premier name in the industry and marketing support that will ensure their business is seen. BrightStar Care agencies are required to pursue Joint Commission Accreditation and we are proud to have achieved and maintained this designation. BrightStar Care has been awarded the Enterprise Champion for Quality Award for 11 consecutive years by The Joint Commission for our efforts in providing a higher standard of quality care.

"BrightStar Care's reputation, exponential growth, and extensive reach in clinical care and national accounts made it clear that this was the franchise to be part of,” Ashley affirms. “Their standards align with my vision of delivering exceptional care to those in need."

Support from BrightStar Care

Ashley acknowledges that the invaluable support she received from BrightStar Care was and continues to be a crucial factor in her journey. As a first-time entrepreneur, BrightStar Care provides the essential support she needs throughout her business journey.

“There’s no way I would have been able to get this far without the help at BrightStar Care,” Ashley emphasizes. “I did a lot of research, and I definitely think that the level of support they provide to their franchisees also adheres to a higher standard like their care.”

At BrightStar Care, we understand that while a revolutionary business concept can put franchisees on the right path, it’s the training and resources we provide that give them the best opportunity. Our franchise support team offers extensive training and constant support.

The Road Ahead

Ashley's BrightStar Care franchise is slated to open in Provo, Utah, in October 2023. Her vision for the future is crystal clear - not only to establish the business but to nurture it into continuous growth.

"I am most looking forward to forming those meaningful relationships within the community and providing that higher standard of care that I think is so much needed in my area,” Ashley states. “I’ve already formed a lot of those relationships with nurses and facilities in the area, so to be able to start helping out this community on a bigger scale is really important to me.

Are you looking for a business opportunity dedicated to helping others? Contact us today to learn how you can make a meaningful difference in your community with BrightStar Care.