Essa and Sabrina Bangura opened the Eatontown, NJ location of A Place at Home in 2024. They currently have 30 employees. Essa and Sabrina immigrated from Liberia in the 1990s to escape the civil war and initially settled in Pennsylvania. At the time, many of their family members worked in senior living facilities and group homes, which introduced them to the senior care industry. Before starting their franchise, Essa worked in finance while Sabrina built her career as a social worker. They have an 11-year-old daughter, Mya, and as a family, they enjoy traveling and spending time at the beach during the summer months.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
The primary reason we chose to purchase a franchise was to create a healthier work-life balance and spend more meaningful time with our daughter. As our careers progressed, we found that professional demands often outweighed family priorities, which resulted in missed vacations, school events, and other important milestones in her life. This realization pushed us to seek a path that would allow us to be more present as parents while still pursuing fulfilling careers. At the same time, we had a growing desire to play a more active role in our community and make a positive impact through our work. Owning a A Place At Home franchise offered the ideal solution, combining the flexibility to prioritize family with the opportunity to build a business rooted in service and connection to others.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
From the beginning of our research, we knew the senior care industry was where we wanted to focus, given our background and passion for helping others. The FBR website was an important tool that allowed us to identify and compare various franchise opportunities within the industry, giving us a clearer picture of the strengths and differences among them. We also worked closely with a franchise consultant, who provided expert guidance, asked the right questions, and helped us navigate the due diligence process with confidence.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
Our franchise consultant was instrumental in guiding us through the financing process and educating us on the different options available, including SBA loans, traditional bank loans, and 401K ROBS. Together, we completed a thorough financial review of our assets, liabilities, and long-term goals to determine which path made the most sense for us. After carefully comparing the pros and cons of each option, we ultimately chose the 401K ROBS. This approach gave us the ability to finance the business debt-free, while also providing greater flexibility and control over our investment. It was the option that aligned best with both our financial situation and our desire to start the business on a strong foundation.
How does A Place At Home support and encourage your success?
What first attracted us to A Place At Home was its strong and supportive culture. The core values of being Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, and Ethical are not just words on paper—they truly resonate throughout the entire system, from the corporate team to the staff at each location. Beyond culture, the franchisor provides comprehensive training and ongoing support that gave us the tools and confidence to establish our business smoothly. Their guidance has helped us build a scalable operation, which in turn allows us to expand our reach and serve more clients in our community.
What are you most proud of and why?
We are most proud of the positive impact we’ve been able to make in our community. Knowing that we’ve given families peace of mind by ensuring the well-being of their loved ones is incredibly rewarding. In addition, we’ve built strong, trust-based relationships with community partners, which has allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to delivering a consistently high level of service.
What advice would you give to new or potential franchise buyers?
During the due diligence process, be honest with yourself about your strengths, weaknesses, and long-term goals. Choose a franchise that not only aligns with them but also is a good cultural fit.
More about the A Place At Home franchise opportunity:
Visit A Place At Home’s website to learn more about becoming a franchise owner. Plus, check out these incredible data points, pulled from A Place At Home’s most recent survey of their franchisees.
- 100% of franchisees are likely to recommend this brand to others
- 100% of franchisees believe their franchisor acts with a high level of honesty and integrity
- 100% of franchisees rate the long-term growth opportunity for their business as strong
Download A Place At Home’s full satisfaction report and learn more about this remarkable franchise that appears on the following lists here at Franchise Business Review:
- Top Franchise for Culture
- Top 200 Franchise Overall
- Recession-Resistant Franchise
- Top Franchise for Women
- Most Profitable Franchise
