Caring Beyond the Hospital: Amy Adaniel's BrightStar Care Franchise Legacy

This November, during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we shine a light on Amy Adaniel, a remarkable BrightStar Care franchisee since 2008. Amy's journey isn't just about business ownership, it’s about being an advocate and a champion for others and making a significant difference. Her growth from a healthcare professional to a devoted BrightStar Care franchisee is a testament to her profound love for caregiving and her unwavering commitment to her community.

Journey to BrightStar Care

Amy's introduction to the healthcare industry started in 1992 when she embarked on her career as a respiratory therapist. Her journey to BrightStar Care was far from conventional. It all began when her husband, Jesus, was employed by another home care company, working alongside a family member. At the end of that year, Amy and Jesus questioned why they were working for someone else when they had the potential to establish a healthcare agency of their own.

“Owning an agency was the next step to be able to elevate our impact and be able to do it in a different way,” Amy explains.

In 1994, Amy became pregnant, marking a crucial turning point in her life. In the early months of 1995, she endured daily infusions and needed a nurse to help her through her pregnancy. The nurse who took care of Amy then contacted her after she finished treatment and asked if her husband would be interested in working as a registered nurse for the Visiting Nurse Association in Staten Island. Jesus’ experience in this area was great and very fulfilling, and Amy’s experience with her nurse during her pregnancy was incredibly impactful. Reflecting on their experience and personal connection to healthcare, Amy and Jesus realized that the home care space would be a great match for them. This led them to BrightStar Care.

“The multiple revenue streams that BrightStar Care provides through the options of skilled care, personal care, companion care, medical staffing, and through national accounts was really important to us,” Amy states.

Passion and Lifelong Learning

Transitioning from healthcare professionals to franchise owners was no small feat for Amy and Jesus. As a nurse and respiratory therapist, Jesus and Amy had no entrepreneurial experience. Nonetheless, their shared passion for helping people and their profound healthcare experience steered them on the right path.

Now, since 2008, Amy and her husband have owned the Boca Delray BrightStar Care in South Florida. While Amy states that owning a business is the hardest job she has had, she loves it for the direct client interactions and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in their lives.

Amy reflects, "Being a family to the people that we are servicing, wrapping our arms around them, taking the very best care possible, that’s the important part of being an agency owner."

Alzheimer's Awareness and Impacting Her Community

Amy's commitment to her community transcends her role as a BrightStar Care franchisee. She serves as a board member of the State of Florida American Parkinson’s Disease Association and has dedicated 14 years of her life to volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association. Her extensive involvement includes advocacy work at the state level in Tallahassee and trips to Washington, D.C., where she tirelessly lobbies for funds to support research and caregivers. Amy has also led Alzheimer’s Walks as both chair and co-chair within her community.

Her advocacy efforts extend beyond organized events; Amy readily shares resources in everyday conversations and has the Alzheimer’s Association's 1-800 number saved on her phone for instant access. This year, she received a nomination from the Alzheimer’s Association for the Woman Volunteer of the Year Award in the Boca Raton region.

“That’s what fuels me, the more people we touch, the more people we care for, the more people we help,” Amy states.

Amy's daughter, who shares her commitment to Alzheimer’s Awareness, has also volunteered alongside her since she was a teenager. She is also an advocate on the state and federal level and has been on a panel at the leadership conference in Washington, DC for the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement. Amy highlights how rewarding and important Alzheimer’s Awareness is to her and her daughter.

“It doesn’t just stop at volunteering and showing up at walk day, it’s so many other ways,” Amy states. “It’s important to be out in the community and to have that presence, I don’t ever want just to be a business owner, I want to be more than that to people.”

Amy’s Why

Amy's unique connection to her employees hinges on shared passions and experiences. A caregiver at heart, she aligns with her team's commitment to delivering the best quality of care. Her background as a shift worker in the healthcare industry ensures she shares their perspective.

At BrightStar Care, franchisees gain access to multiple revenue streams like personal care, skilled care, and national accounts, positioning them for business growth. More importantly, this empowers them to make a substantial impact on their communities. Certified through the Joint Commission Accreditation, BrightStar Care franchisees, like Amy, provide a superior standard of care and enhance the quality of life for families across the nation.

Amy sums up her mission with heartfelt words: "I'm fortunate enough to be able to be embedded in the community, to be able to facilitate support groups and help people live their very best way. That is my why and what fuels me as a BrightStar Care franchisee."

Ready for an entrepreneurial opportunity that is more than just a business? Contact us today to learn how you can start improving lives in your community and develop a legacy of helping others.