August 12th 2024.
Dr. Michelle Rankine's incredible success as the owner of three Right At Home franchises, earning millions of dollars, was born out of a heartbreaking personal tragedy. Her younger brother was involved in a car accident that left him a paraplegic, a situation that was completely unexpected for their family.
"It's hard to imagine being 21 years old, living what you think is a normal life, preparing for graduation, and then suddenly becoming a paraplegic," she shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. "It was devastating for my brother and our entire family."
Determined to care for her brother, Rankine and her mother took on the responsibility of being his primary caregivers. However, they quickly realized that caregiving came with its own set of challenges and was not always something their loved one wanted.
"One of the things about caring for someone you love is that there are boundaries," she explained. "As a paraplegic, you rely on others for basic needs like using the restroom and daily activities. It can be difficult to navigate what your loved one wants you to be involved in."
Eventually, Rankine's brother's social worker recommended home care, and the family saw a significant improvement in his well-being. This experience sparked Rankine's interest in helping others navigate the challenges of caregiving. She met with her family, walked them through the process, and provided them with compassionate care that left a lasting impact on her.
Despite having no background in healthcare, Rankine decided to enter the industry by owning a franchise. Today, she owns franchises in Collin, Denton, and Tarrant Counties in Texas.
While owning a franchise can provide a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs, Rankine acknowledges that the journey to success still comes with its own set of challenges. "For me, one of the biggest challenges was learning to let go of my own expectations and trust in the divine timing of things," she shared.
She also had to shift her perspective on what it means to be successful in the industry. "Success is not just about making money," she explained. "It's about providing quality services and opportunities for our caregivers. It's a slow process, like a crock pot, you have to let the lessons simmer and savor them."
Rankine's three franchises have made millions of dollars over the span of her 10-year career, and she takes immense pride in being a Black franchise owner, especially in her efforts to address health disparities in Black and Brown communities.
Her goal is to educate people on healthcare and help families create a contingency plan for home healthcare. One of the misconceptions she's addressing is the belief that families must care for their loved ones alone.
"Our default is to turn to our church community for help rather than seeking professional caregiving services," she explained. "That's why we've made a conscious effort to reach out to churches and start the conversation about preparing for care."
Rankine also emphasizes the importance of long-term care insurance for families, as insurance and Medicare may not cover all the necessary services for home healthcare.
"The most rewarding part of my job is providing solutions for families," she said. "I've always been someone who loves to help and give back in any way I can."
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