Franchising with BrightStar Care presents a beacon of opportunity for budding entrepreneurs passionate about making a significant difference in their communities. Ryan and Barry Major, a father-son franchisee duo from Omaha, Nebraska, embody the spirit of entrepreneurial transition and a dedication to community health.
A New Chapter with BrightStar Care
Last year, Ryan was in a director-level position in healthcare banking, where he dealt with many larger clients in senior living spaces. On the other hand, Barry had a successful business career and had now retired. Watching Ryan over the years, Barry had seen his son develop an entrepreneurial spirit at heart, and, in fact, about five years ago, the two had gone into the rental business together.
During the banking crisis last year, when interest rates skyrocketed, Ryan was part of a large layoff, so he started looking for other banking positions and new career opportunities. At this point, Ryan had already known about BrightStar Care since 2013, as his wife, Samantha, used to work for a franchise owner in Scottsdale, Arizona. While he had looked into franchising multiple times, changing careers and starting something new had always seemed like a challenging process. After comparing the potential of other banking jobs to the rewarding business opportunity of BrightStar Care, Ryan decided there was no better time to jump into franchising.
"After meeting all the team at BrightStar Care, I was really, really impressed with the franchise and everything they offered, especially their support," Ryan states. "There's no way we could have done this without all the help and guidance that BrightStar Care offers and all of their expertise in the industry. Their full continuum of care also matched up with what we wanted, so it was a no-brainer decision."
A Passion for Helping Others
The inspiration behind making an impact in other's lives through healthcare stems from Samantha, Ryan's wife. Ryan's admiration for the tangible difference Samantha made in people's lives contrasted with his experiences in banking, where he felt detached from the direct impact on individuals. "She's been doing this for over a decade, and just seeing the impact she has on people's lives is amazing and inspiring," Ryan states. "To start and grow a business like that, where we can impact people's lives, is great to me and her too."
The Father-Son Relationship
As father and son, Ryan and Barry both express the rewarding prospect of starting a business together and emphasize how their close relationship has facilitated an open, encouraging dynamic.
"I've always grown up around business and been close to all the stuff my dad has done over the years," Ryan states. "We both have similar views and wanted to make a strong business that people enjoy entering daily."
"I see some of myself in Ryan, and it's very prideful for me," Barry states. "My wife and Ryan's mom, Mindy, is jealous I get to see him work every day, but we are all excited for this, and I'm so fortunate to be part of it."
Plans for The Future
Ryan and Barry plan to open their first location in Omaha, Nebraska, this year! The father-son franchisee duo looks forward to growing their location and fostering meaningful relationships in their community, but they also plan to expand further into the Nebraska area. Ryan is most excited about getting a good team around him and having a great product that impacts people's lives. Sam will be the agency’s Director of Sales in the early stages, and as it grows larger will move to work full-time as an occupational therapist.
"My wife has told me so many stories about helping other people and improving their lives; you never get stories like that when you're in a bank," Ryan states. "We're going to hear similar stories like that with this opportunity, and that's very rewarding and great to be a part of."
When you franchise with BrightStar Care, you can embark on a supportive and rewarding business journey to make a difference in your community. Contact us today to learn more about how you can open an agency in your area.