From the Air Force to BrightStar Care: This Franchisee's Love for Helping Others

At BrightStar Care, we pride ourselves on supporting franchisees from diverse professional backgrounds who share a common passion for making a difference. For Carmen Ankrah, a veteran and healthcare professional, the journey to business ownership wasn’t always part of the plan, but franchising with BrightStar Care provided the perfect path to combine her love for patient care with entrepreneurial aspirations.

Carmen proudly opened her first BrightStar Care location in the North Houston Metro area in January 2025. Through this venture, she aims to provide exceptional care and support to those in need, making a meaningful impact in her community.

A Career Built on Care

Carmen’s professional journey began with six years of service in the U.S. Air Force, where she focused on preventative care and harnessing a passion for making a difference in people’s lives. Following her military career, she worked as a respiratory therapist for over a decade in critical environments like the ICU and emergency departments but wanted to find an opportunity where she could make a more significant difference.

"Helping people has always been at the heart of what I do," Carmen shares. "I loved being hands-on in healthcare, but I wanted to explore how I could make an even greater impact while achieving financial independence."

Though she had extensive experience in healthcare, the thought of managing her own business was initially intimidating, until she discovered franchising. "Small business wasn’t my forte until I discovered the franchise model. This support route helped me feel more confident in building a business.”

Why BrightStar Care?

When Carmen began researching franchise opportunities, she was drawn to BrightStar Care’s reputation for providing a full continuum of care, including skilled nursing services—a unique offering compared to many other home care options. Additionally, her sister-in-law, Tammi Ankrah, is also a BrightStar Care franchisee who is making a difference in the Appleton, WI, area.

“I've had a lot of discussions with patients and their families saying that they want to go home, but the provider they’re with doesn’t have the right services. There’s not a lot of home care that offers nursing, skilled care, and companion care,” she states. “BrightStar Care fills that important gap in the market by offering a full continuum of care, and when I saw how impressed Tammi was with the process, I started looking into it as well.”

What also stuck out to Carmen was the welcoming franchise network and comprehensive support system BrightStar Care offers our franchisees. From technology tools to business operations guidance, the resources available gave her the confidence to transition into entrepreneurship.

"As someone new to business ownership, having access to a franchise support team and other franchisees within the network made all the difference," Carmen explains. "I can connect with experienced owners, learn from their challenges, and gain insights into what works in different markets. It’s reassuring to know I’m never navigating this journey alone."

Building Community in North Houston Metro

With her agency’s recent grand opening, Carmen is focused on building relationships within the North Houston Metro community. Networking with other franchise owners has been a valuable part of the process.

"I’ve spoken with owners who’ve faced similar challenges transitioning from healthcare roles to business operations,” Carmen shares. “Hearing their stories and knowing it’s normal to face struggles during the first couple of years has been comforting and motivating.”

She’s also excited about providing a much-needed service in her region. "Families in the North Houston Metro area deserve access to reliable, high-quality home care,” Carmen shares. “BrightStar Care’s commitment to patient-centered care makes it possible for me to meet those needs while giving back to the community in a meaningful way.”

A Rewarding Future Ahead

For Carmen, franchising with BrightStar Care is more than just a business venture—it’s an opportunity to create a lasting impact. "This isn’t just about running a business; it’s about helping families during some of their most vulnerable moments. BrightStar Care gives me the platform to make a difference while achieving personal and professional growth."

Are you ready to combine a passion for helping others with the rewards of business ownership? Explore today how BrightStar Care can help you open an agency in your community.