Sam Van Valzah is a driven entrepreneur who has found a way to balance building a growing business with the things that matter most—family. While he’s passionate about serving the community and growing the company, he’s equally committed to being a present husband and father. Outside of work, you’ll often find Sam chasing after his energetic toddler and two dogs, embracing the beautiful chaos of family life. Whenever they can, Sam and his wife, Joscelyn, also try to sneak away for a well-deserved date night to reconnect amid the demands of entrepreneurship and parenthood. His ability to lead with both ambition and heart is a big part of what makes him successful, both in business and at home.
Sam co-owns his Encinitas, CA, A Place At Home location with his wife, Joscelyn. They opened in 2024, and together, they manage 60 employees.
We talked to Sam about what it’s like being a franchisee of A Place At Home.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
After more than a decade in financial planning, I was ready to pursue my passion for entrepreneurship and build something with lasting purpose. With my wife, Joscelyn, a healthcare operations expert, we’re the ideal team to build A Place at Home – Encinitas. We combine business development, operational excellence, and a shared commitment to serving others.
As we entered the senior care industry, we recognized opportunities to improve the client and caregiver experience and saw many of the common pitfalls that have become accepted as the norm. From day one, we set out to raise the bar and challenge the status quo in San Diego County by bringing a fresh, innovative perspective to home care. Beyond building a successful company, our vision is to create a lasting legacy that their son can one day be proud of—and perhaps even choose to be a part of in the future.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your franchise meet that criteria?
We immediately connected with founders Dustin Distefano and Jerod Evanich, whose fresh, forward-thinking approach to home care stood out from more traditional franchise models. As younger founders, Dustin and Jerod brought an innovative perspective that resonated with our entrepreneurial mindset. Combined with the brand’s people-first culture and strong franchise support, A Place at Home felt like the right fit from the very beginning.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise?
We utilized ROBS capital to fund the purchase. (FBR note: find out more about ROBS here)
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
I bring more than a decade of experience in financial planning, where I developed a consultative, relationship-driven approach to serving clients. Rather than focusing on sales, I believe in educating families, understanding their unique needs, and helping them make informed decisions. That same philosophy carries into A Place at Home– Encinitas, where every client interaction is centered on trust, guidance, and finding the right care solution for each family.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
Before purchasing their franchise, we took a thoughtful and research-driven approach. We utilized resources like Franchise Business Review, spoke with existing franchise owners, and carefully evaluated multiple home care franchise opportunities. While third-party reviews provided valuable insight, our decision ultimately came down to the people. After meeting the leadership team and hearing firsthand about the culture and support within A Place at Home, we knew it was the right fit for our family and our long-term vision.
When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?
We kept my conversations with fellow franchisees candid and practical. We asked questions like: What’s your biggest day-to-day challenge? What are the biggest pain points in your business? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? What’s next for your business? Are you planning to grow, expand, or eventually exit? We also wanted to understand what growth opportunities other owners were leveraging and whether they would invest in the brand again. Those honest conversations provided invaluable insight beyond what any brochure or discovery day could offer.
Which questions did you ask the franchisor?
Our conversations with the franchisor centered on one thing: growth. We kept our questions candid and wanted to know what it truly takes to build a top-performing agency. We asked how the highest-performing franchisees scaled their businesses, what separates elite operators from average ones, where the biggest opportunities for growth exist, and how the corporate team supports ambitious owners. From the beginning, our goal wasn’t simply to own a home care agency—it was to build an exceptional one that would raise the standard of care and challenge the status quo in San Diego County.
What were your first 90 days like as a franchisee?
I would best describe the first 90 days as a mechanical bull ride—fast-paced, exciting, and full of constant adjustments. While we received tremendous support from the corporate team, we also faced the challenge of building a business, referral network, and brand recognition completely from scratch. As the only A Place at Home franchise in San Diego County, there was no existing market presence to build upon. From day one, we set out to challenge the status quo and reimagine what home care can—and should—look like. That vision continues to guide the way we operate every day, as we work to raise the standard of care and redefine the client and caregiver experience throughout San Diego County.
At what point did you feel like you “got the hang of it” and settled in as a business owner?
Rather than a single moment, it happened gradually. Around 13 months in, systems became more refined and relationships within the community grew; the business gained momentum. That said, I don’t believe you’ve ever fully “figured it out” as an entrepreneur. We are constantly learning, adapting, and looking for ways to improve. That mindset of continuous growth has been one of the biggest drivers of A Place at Home – Encinitas’ success.
How does the franchisor support and encourage your success?
The support is there, but I believe you only get the most out of a franchise when you’re willing to ask for it. We both regularly seek feedback from co-founder Dustin Distefano and some of the highest-performing operators in the franchise network, learning from what’s working across the country and applying those ideas to their own business. The culture is incredibly collaborative—owners are open about sharing wins, challenges, and best practices because everyone is working toward the same goal. Rather than reinventing the wheel, I values learning from those who have already built exceptional agencies while continuing to innovate and raise the bar in their own market.
What are you most proud of and why?
Joscelyn and I are most proud of what we’ve built together. Our complementary strengths allowed us to grow A Place at Home – Encinitas into a thriving agency while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship as a true team. At the same time, we’re quick to point out that the goalpost is always moving. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we’re even more excited about what’s next. With plans for continued expansion, we’re committed to challenging the status quo and reimagining what home care can—and should—look like throughout San Diego County.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
Joscelyn’s and my advice to new owners is simple: be all in. Success doesn’t come from owning a franchise—it comes from showing up every day with grit, humility, and a willingness to learn. Ask questions, seek feedback from top-performing franchisees, and don’t be afraid to borrow great ideas. Build relationships before you need them, invest in your team, and stay focused on delivering an exceptional experience for your clients. Most importantly, don’t settle for being average. Set a bold vision, execute it consistently, and never stop looking for ways to raise the bar in your market.
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
