%20(1000%20x%20150%20px)-2.png?w=3840&q=75)
Carla, a tenacious entrepreneur with an unconventional journey to becoming the CEO of Just Like Family Home Care, is a woman of resilience Her story is not of a straightforward path but rather a series of unexpected twists and turns that led her to where she is today. Battling life-threatening illness and breaking barriers in industries she had little to no experience in. Carla has proven that any obstacle can be overcome with the right mindset and determination.
In this post, you will learn about the life and career of Carla, her unique business approach, and how her experiences shaped her into the successful CEO she is today. We will delve into her journey of starting her own company, her work with the United Church of Canada, and her current role as the CEO of Just Like Family Home Care. We will also discuss her new book, "Win Win Capitalism: How Social Acquisitions Will Change the Face of Business," and her vision for the future of home care.
Carla's Journey to Entrepreneurship
Carla's entrepreneurial journey began after her near-death experience on the 50-hour train ride to Tibet, when what started as a scratchy throat left her in a coma 12 hours from the closest hospital. Her recovery was nothing short of a miracle, and it served as a wake-up call for her to pursue her dreams. She seized the opportunity to start her own consulting business, helping companies get off the ground. Her first client saw dramatic results, with Carla generating the first 150 leads through her sales and marketing strategies.
Her business model was a success, employing rural Canadians and individuals with disabilities for B2B sales and offering them opportunities to level up their skills. This model not only benefited her business but also contributed to social good, a concept that Carla embraced even before she knew what a social enterprise was.
Carla's Work with the United Church of Canada
Carla's career took another turn when she was approached by the United Church of Canada to assist their innovation arm as the first Director of Innovation for a church in all of North America. In her time there, she helped over 600 social enterprises get off the ground and supported 700 churches in their social innovation thinking. One of these churches purchased a home care franchise in Victoria, which Carla assisted them with. This eventually opened up the opportunity to purchase the national franchisor, Just Like Family Home Care in 2022 with a coalition of impact investors. Working with impact investors rather than a traditional private equity firm to buy a large home care business in Canada was already a game changer.
The Home Care Company and Beyond
Despite having no previous experience in healthcare or home care, Carla faced the challenge head-on. Under her leadership, the team at "Just Like Family," the Home Care Company, has grown from 3 to 15 team members, and they have expanded from 29 to 39 locations, with 70% growth since the acquisition. The company, over 50% owned by charity, puts people before profit and aims to change the narrative around aging.
Carla's unique approach to business, influenced by her non-profit background, focuses on stakeholders rather than just target markets. This perspective encourages franchise partners to create community and neighbourhood, a concept inspired by Simon Sinek's focus on the "why" in business.
Carla's New Book: Win Win Capitalism
In her new book, "Win Win Capitalism: How Social Acquisitions Will Change the Face of Business," Carla explores Canada's first social acquisition with a coalition of charities of a private business. The book highlights the potential when values-aligned investors come together to create a successful business that prioritizes people and contributes back to the community.
Technology in the Home Care Space
Carla is not one to shy away from innovation. She spent 18 months implementing a technology base for the Home Care Company, including a back-office partnership and the hiring of a CTO. They are developing a tech strategy for the next 3-5 years, focusing on open APIs, transparency, PIPEDA compliance, and cost-effective services that add value, such as virtual home care monitoring. They recently partnered with LifeLine, and they already provide care notes in real-time, a game changer for seniors and families who don't live in the same part of country.
Next Steps
Carla's journey shows that with resilience and a determination to make a change, one can break barriers and create a successful business that not only generates profit but also contributes to social good. Her story serves as an inspiration for many aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders.
Moving forward, Carla plans to continue using her experiences and insights to drive innovation in the home care industry. She believes that technology will play a significant role in resolving the challenges faced by the industry, especially in improving health outcomes for seniors. With her unique approach to business and her relentless pursuit of change, Carla is indeed a force to be reckoned with in the world of business and healthcare.
