A Passion for Care Meets a Proven Franchise Model

At BrightStar Care, franchisees have the opportunity to own a business that blends purpose with performance and makes a difference in their communities. Backed by over 20 years of experience, our model empowers entrepreneurs with multiple revenue streams, national account partnerships, and the ability to deliver a full continuum of care.

For Marcella and Phillip King, new BrightStar Care franchisees who have recently opened their first location in N. Central San Diego, CA, that mission felt deeply personal. Opening a BrightStar Care agency was more than a career move, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong calling.

The Passion for Caregiving

For years, Marcella thrived in the corporate world, building a career in finance and human resources with major banks and global organizations. But after experiencing a round of layoffs following a merger, she found herself questioning what she wanted to pursue in the next chapter of her career.

“I knew that I wanted to work on something that made an impact, both in my life and in the lives of others”, she states.“Since selling my first business 11 years ago, I had always thought about opening a new business involving something I was passionate about, and caring for others had always been something to which I had been drawn.”

That passion began years earlier. While attending San Diego State University, out of her love for seniors, Marcella asked a friend who worked at a local senior facility, if she could work there, which she ended up doing for two years. Her first experience as a caregiver was with a patient in hospice, and Marcella found the experience deeply meaningful. “To me it was an honor and a blessing to be chosen to provide care to someone at the end of their life.”After that patient, Marcella took care of a lovely lady for two years, and once she passed, she took care of a few other seniors, before leaving the job to focus solely on school. Marcella’s personal experiences gave her a unique perspective on what she wanted in her next venture.

In addition, her husband, Philip, has also had personal experiences caring for aging parents. His mother, Jan, during her battle with cancer, taught Philip the profound challenges of providing high-quality home care. To fulfill their mother’s wish to leave the hospital and spend her final days at home, Philip and his brother faced the daunting task of coordinating a Hospital at Home. This required assembling a team to deliver a wide range of services: skilled nursing and physician house calls for medication management, non-skilled aides for 24/7 care, acupuncture and massage for comfort, and medical equipment from local suppliers. Philip shares, “This experience allows us to see the value of BrightStar’s comprehensive approach, acting as a single provider to simplify delivery of care at home, enabling family members to focus on their loved ones.”

Why BrightStar Care?

When Marcella and Phillip began exploring franchise opportunities, Marcella was introduced to BrightStar Care by one of our franchisees, Kerry Massie, who was a friend of a good friend. After seeing our brand’s commitment to a higher standard of quality care and learning more about the healthcare industry’s growing demand, Phillip and Marcella decided to become franchisees with us.

“Everyone at BrightStar Care is so willing to help, from corporate staff to franchise owners,” Marcella states. “One of the local owners, Dan in Carlsbad, from beginning to end, has been so encouraging and supportive. He has shared insights on operating in the San Diego market and allowed us to spend a day in his office, shadowing his staff and attending caregiver orientations. Sanaz, another neighboring franchisee, printed her entire living room visit packet to teach me about our franchise resources. We truly have a great support system with BrightStar Care.”

Unlike many candidates, Marcella and Phillip didn’t spend months comparing options. “We didn’t consider other healthcare agencies after that,” she says. “The BrightStar team was incredibly responsive in providing details regarding the franchise agreement, following up with background data/statistics on the available territory, and facilitating calls with neighboring franchisees, which allowed us to speak candidly with other owners about their experiences. This empowered us with the information needed to make an informed decision to move forward with this opportunity. Additionally, the available territory was right here in our own community, which made it a perfect fit. It just felt meant to be.”

Building a Family Business

The support of her husband Phillip, who brings strong financial and Information Technology expertise, along with Marcella’s own drive to make a difference, has created a powerful partnership to build their family business.

Marcella and Phillip are preparing to open their doors at the start of this fall. Marcella will oversee daily operations and operate most of the business, while her husband will oversee finance and IT.

“Building a business together has always been something I’ve aspired to do,” Marcella shares. “Opening our BrightStar Care agency in our community, as a family, is a dream come true.”

Ready to Serve Her Community

Even before opening, Marcella was inspired by the caregivers and leaders drawn to her business. There’s nothing she and Phillip look forward to more than providing the level of care that their community deserves.

“The response we have been receiving from potential staff members has been incredible," Marcella states. "Caregivers with over 20 years of experience share excitement to join us because they feel our passion and share our vision. I look forward to giving back to our community by pairing clients with caregivers who will provide the higher level of care our clients deserve. I genuinely believe in the BrightStar Care model and in providing the best service to both our clients and our staff."

For Marcella and Phillip, BrightStar Care provides the opportunity to combine a passion for healthcare with an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. It allows them to open a business with a strong support system to back them up when they need it. "Being part of a franchise gives you that base of support. Follow the model, work hard, and you will succeed. That’s why I'm certain BrightStar Care was the right fit for us."

Are you interested in opening a business that truly makes a difference? Contact us today to learn more about how you can open an agency in your community.