Heidi Nyvol owns two Right At Home care offices in Englewood and Punta Gorda, Florida. She’s originally from Norway but has called Englewood, Florida, home for about 14 years. She is deeply passionate about helping seniors live safely and independently in their own homes. In addition to her Right At Home businesses, she also co-founded a local nonprofit, Helping Hearts for Heroes, that supports veterans transitioning into permanent housing. Outside of work, she enjoys giving back to the community, spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new adventures. Heidi is a proud mom of two amazing kids who keep life exciting, and she believes in leading with compassion, resilience, and a good sense of humor.
We talked to her about what it’s like owning her two Right At Home franchises.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
While on maternity leave with my youngest child, I began reflecting on my career and realized I wanted greater independence, a stronger sense of purpose, and the opportunity to build something of my own. Around that time, one of our neighbors became homebound, and I watched firsthand how an in-home caregiver transformed not only his quality of life but also relieved the overwhelming burden on his wife and brought peace of mind to their sons who lived nearly an hour away. Seeing the impact that compassionate home care had on an entire family inspired me to explore the industry. After researching several franchise opportunities, I knew I wanted to invest in a business that would allow me to make a meaningful difference while building a rewarding career.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?
After researching several home care franchises, I had my first conversation with Right at Home. From that very first call, I knew this was the organization I wanted to be a part of. Their mission, values, and commitment to quality care aligned perfectly with my own, and I knew I had found the right franchise to help me build a meaningful business while making a real difference in my community.
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
My educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in International Marketing and a Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resources. Before becoming a franchise owner, I spent several years working in the IT industry in sales and marketing. Those experiences gave me a strong foundation in business development, strategic planning, relationship building, and customer service.
Today, I rely on those skills every day. My marketing background helps me grow our business and build strong community partnerships, while my leadership and human resources education has been invaluable in recruiting, developing, and supporting an exceptional team of caregivers. My experience in sales also enables me to build trust with families and referral partners, ensuring they feel confident in choosing our services.
When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?
When speaking with existing franchisees, I wanted to understand what it was really like to own and operate the business on a day-to-day basis. I asked about the level of support they received from the franchisor, how involved they were in the daily operations, and what a typical workday looked like. I also wanted to know how long it took them to reach break-even and what challenges they experienced during the startup phase.
Since I was opening in Florida, I asked about their experience navigating the state’s regulations and licensing requirements. I was also interested in learning about the relationships between neighboring Right at Home offices and whether franchise owners collaborated, shared ideas, and supported one another. Their honest feedback gave me valuable insight into both the opportunities and challenges of owning a Right at Home franchise.
Which questions did you ask the franchisor?
When speaking with the franchisor, I focused on understanding both the business model and the support I would receive as a new franchise owner. I asked detailed questions about the startup investment, ongoing fees, the training and support program, and what I could realistically expect in terms of reaching profitability. I also wanted to understand how territories were protected, whether they were based on client ZIP codes or referral sources, and the differences between operating as a licensed home care agency versus a caregiver registry.
One of my biggest priorities was understanding how much autonomy I would have as a business owner. I wanted the benefit of a proven franchise system while still having the flexibility to make decisions that were best for my local market. I asked where I would be expected to follow established franchise standards and where I would have the freedom to operate independently. Those conversations helped me determine whether the franchise was the right fit for my leadership style and long-term goals.
What were your first 90 days like as a franchisee?
My first 90 days as a franchisee were both exciting and stressful. I was learning an industry that was completely new to me while trying to build a business from the ground up. In many ways, I felt like the “new kid on the block.” I was a younger female business owner, a mom of two young children, had no prior experience in the healthcare industry, and had moved into a community where it seemed like everyone already knew everyone. On top of that, I was the one with the Norwegian accent.
Rather than seeing those things as obstacles, I decided to use them to my advantage. My background and Norwegian accent became great conversation starters at networking events and community meetings, making it easier for people to remember me. Those first 90 days went by quickly, and I also learned an important lesson: building relationships takes time, but it is essential in an industry where families and referral networks are entrusting you with the care of their most vulnerable loved ones. Trust isn’t built overnight, so I focused on being present in the community, making meaningful connections, and earning that trust one relationship at a time.
At what point did you feel like you “got the hang of it” and settled in as a business owner?
In reality, I never felt like I completely “got the hang of it” and I think that’s a good thing. Home care is an industry that is constantly evolving. Since becoming a franchise owner, we’ve navigated a pandemic, multiple hurricanes, changes in hospital and healthcare ownership, workforce challenges, and countless regulatory and industry shifts.
The day you think you know it all is probably the day you stop growing. Being a successful business owner means staying curious, continuing to learn, and adapting to change. I believe that’s one of the most important parts of leadership: remaining flexible, embracing new challenges, and constantly looking for ways to improve both your business and the care you provide.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?
Right at Home provides an incredible amount of support and genuinely invests in the success of its franchise owners. We have weekly Town Hall meetings that keep us informed about industry trends, introduce new opportunities, and feature expert speakers on a variety of business and healthcare topics. Every franchise owner is also assigned a dedicated business coach who provides guidance, accountability, and strategic support as the business grows.
The franchisor offers a wide range of partnerships and preferred vendors that help streamline business operations, along with an outstanding marketing team that creates professional marketing materials and campaigns. We also participate in performance groups where franchise owners collaborate, share best practices, and learn from one another.
One of the highlights each year is Right at Home’s annual conference, where franchise owners and office staff from across the country come together for several days of education, networking, and collaboration. The conference features outstanding learning sessions, industry experts, and countless opportunities to exchange ideas and best practices with fellow franchisees. It’s an inspiring event that reinforces the culture of continuous learning and reminds you that you’re part of a much larger network of people all working toward the same mission.
What are you most proud of and why?
I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished over the years. Since our very first year in business, we have consistently been recognized as an Employer of Choice, Provider of Choice, and Leader in Excellence by Activated Insights. We have also been top-rated on Caring.com and have received several awards from Right at Home, including Rookie of the Year, multiple Caregiver Satisfaction Awards, the Allen Hager RightSpirit Award, and most recently, the President’s Brand Ambassador Award.
While these awards are a tremendous honor and reflect our commitment to our caregivers, our clients, and the communities we serve, they are not what makes me the proudest.
What means the most to me are the countless families we have helped through some of life’s most difficult moments. There is nothing more rewarding than hearing from a family whose stress has been lifted because they know their loved one is safe and cared for, or reading an email from my office staff after speaking with a client who can’t say enough about the caregiver we matched with them. Knowing that our team has been able to make such a meaningful difference in people’s lives is, without question, my greatest accomplishment and the reason I continue to love what I do.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
My biggest piece of advice is to understand that owning your own business is not a typical 9-to-5 job. Caring for vulnerable people means that situations don’t always happen during business hours, and as the owner, there will be times when you need to be available. You have to be on call 24/7.
In the beginning, be prepared to wear many hats. During those first few years, you’ll likely do everything yourself, from recruiting and hiring caregivers to leading orientations, marketing the business, conducting care consultations, and even stepping in to provide care when needed. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s also how you truly learn every aspect of the business.
At the same time, make building the right team your highest priority. The best investment you can make is finding office team members who care about your business and your mission as much as you do. As your team grows, you’ll be able to delegate with confidence, allowing you to focus on leading the business rather than doing everything yourself. Over time, that strong team will give you the flexibility and freedom you were looking for when you decided to become a business owner in the first place.
More About the Right At Home Franchise Opportunity:
The senior care industry is booming, and Right At Home is at the forefront. Each year, they survey their franchisees and receive top marks in franchisee satisfaction. This past year, our unbiased data was used to rank them on the following lists:
- Top Franchises for Culture
- Most Recession-Resistant Franchises
- Top Franchises for Veterans
- Top 200 Franchise of 2026
It’s no surprise that franchisees are highly satisfied and successful. They offer comprehensive franchise support, including a highly-rated two-week initial training program at the company’s headquarters in Omaha. Additionally, their Online Marketing Specialists (OMS) manage franchisees’ website content and structure, as well as social media posting and strategy.
Right At Home also shares their full Franchisee Satisfaction Report on our site. You can download that report and hear more about how their franchisees feel about owning a Right At Home franchise. Some highlights from that report:
- 92% of franchisees agree that they enjoy being a part of this organization
- 92% of franchisees agree that they respect their franchisor
- 90% of franchisees believe that the franchisor acts with a high level of honesty and integrity
Are You Interested in Becoming a Right at Home Franchise Owner?
Many Right at Home franchise owners deeply value the opportunity to fulfill their passion and give back to their community while building wealth and achieving their professional goals. To learn more about the Right at Home franchise opportunity and receive a free Right at Home franchise kit, call 866-350-9770 or visit rightathomefranchise.com.
