July 30th 2024.
Dr. Michelle Rankine has achieved incredible success as the owner of three Right At Home franchises, with a combined revenue of over $15 million. However, her journey to this achievement was not an easy one. It all started with a personal tragedy, when her younger brother was involved in a car accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. This unexpected turn of events forced her family to face a situation they never could have imagined.
Dr. Rankine vividly recalls the devastating impact of her brother's accident on her family. She describes the shock of being a 21-year-old college student, looking forward to graduation and a bright future, only to suddenly become a paraplegic. In the face of such a life-altering event, Dr. Rankine and her mother made the decision to become her brother's primary caregivers. However, they soon discovered that this role came with its own set of challenges. It was not always easy to balance their caregiving duties with their brother's desire for independence and privacy.
"One of the most difficult things about caring for a loved one is navigating boundaries," Dr. Rankine explains. "As a paraplegic, my brother was unable to perform even the most basic daily tasks on his own. This meant that there were certain boundaries in terms of what he wanted us, his family, to be involved in. It was a delicate balance."
It was during this time that Dr. Rankine and her family saw a significant change in her brother's engagement and well-being when they finally decided to hire a home care service, as recommended by his social worker. This experience sparked Dr. Rankine's interest in helping other families navigate the challenges of caring for a loved one. She was deeply impressed by the professionalism and care shown by the home care agency, and she knew that she wanted to pay it forward and make a difference in the lives of others.
However, Dr. Rankine had no prior experience in the medical or healthcare field. So, she decided to enter the industry by investing in a franchise. Today, she owns three Right At Home franchises in Texas, serving Collin, Denton, and Tarrant Counties. While franchising provided her with a solid blueprint for starting her entrepreneurial journey, Dr. Rankine is the first to admit that it has not been without its challenges.
"One of the biggest challenges for me has been learning to let go of my expectations and trust in the timing of things," she shares. "As an entrepreneur, you have a vision of where you want to be, but sometimes there are divine delays that we have to accept. Success is not just about making money, it's also about creating opportunities for others, and that takes time."
Dr. Rankine has found great fulfillment in her role as a Black franchise owner, particularly in addressing the health disparities that exist in minority communities. She is passionate about educating people on healthcare and helping families develop a contingency plan for home care. One of the biggest misconceptions she is working to dispel is the idea that families must shoulder the responsibility of caring for their loved ones all on their own.
"In our communities, our first instinct is often to turn to our church family for help," she explains. "But sometimes, that is not enough. We need to start having conversations about preparing for care and considering professional home care services as an option."
In addition to the emotional toll of caring for a loved one, the financial burden can also be overwhelming. Dr. Rankine is committed to having difficult conversations with families about the importance of being financially prepared for long-term care, and the benefits of investing in long-term care insurance.
"The most rewarding part of my job is being able to offer solutions to families in need," she says. "I have always been someone who enjoys problem-solving and giving back to others, and this is just another way for me to do that."
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