Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Garrett.
Hi Megan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in the DFW area in a family business with a front-row seat to the innovation and creativity required to start a company from only an idea. The year I turned 10, my dad turned that idea into a reality with the family sitting around the kitchen table every night filling orders. After I graduated from UT (Go Horns!), I worked full-time for my dad, alongside my two brothers. My official job title was Product Development Manager, and I was tasked with finding or creating products and managing vendor relationships. But, as is common for small businesses, I wore many different hats: Office Manager, Trainer, Proofreader, Food Stylist, Lead Writer, Copy Chief, Travel Planner, and many more lost to memory as the years have passed.
After the family sold the company, I turned my focus toward raising my family. I had the joy of watching two daughters grow while encouraging my husband as he pursued his dream of being a chaplain. After moving to Amarillo for his job, I started homeschooling our elementary-aged daughters. Then tragedy struck when my husband died suddenly.
Looking for a fresh start, I moved again – this time relocating to Austin. It was here that I met Aaron, a widower with 3 sons. After we married and merged our families, I continued homeschooling, now for 5 children, and managing a large and busy household. After 19 years at home, as our children grew up and began leaving the house, I was ready for a new chapter.
I began looking for a job that would allow me to use both my previous work skills along with the skills needed to care for a large household. Like many others have experienced, months of applying to jobs led to zero interviews. Aaron and I had the idea that we might be able to buy a business. As volunteers in organizations like Daughters of the American Revolution and Scouting America, we recognize the importance of serving our local community, so that guided our search.
That’s when we found Your Choice Senior Care West Austin, a franchise location for sale. We both knew immediately that this was what we needed to do! Our personal experiences had taught us much, and we were thankful for those who came alongside us when we needed help most. Aaron had cared for his first wife through her health battles, and I journeyed alongside my mom as my grandfather faded with Alzheimer’s. My dad’s lengthy battle with a rare form of vasculitis truly solidified our heart for those in need and the caregivers who support them. We understand the journey families take when they walk alongside loved ones facing health challenges. We have a desire to care for people, shaped by perspective that comes through personal loss and grief. This heart drives everything we do at Your Choice Senior Care West Austin.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Because we bought an existing business, some things have been smooth. Having an existing license with the State of Texas as a Personal Assistance Services provider and an office allowed us hit the ground running without the challenge of starting from square one. Our corporate office has been a great support as we during the transition. Their guidance allowed us to continue amazing care for our clients already while we were learning procedures and computer systems.
At the same time, our road has been like any other start-up. We learned the ins and outs of caregiving services, and what services we could and could not offer under our license. We quickly hired enough additional caregivers to meet our existing needs and allow a roster with enough depth for growth. We also built an operational team to support specific functions within our growing business, such as HR, Marketing, and Outreach. Creating a cohesive team to support our heart for helping clients took time and intentionality, but we are proud of the team we have in place and how well they accomplish our mission.
Being a business that relies heavily on referrals, there was a learning curve finding referral partners that complemented our passion for helping. We spent a lot of time early on at networking events meeting like-minded industry professionals. Building a strong network of other providers to support our clients with additional services was vitally important to us. We balanced all of this while still providing exceptional care to our clients and support to their families.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Your Choice Senior Care provides non-medical, in-home care for adults. Our goal is to help clients stay as independent as possible wherever they call home. Our services include help with daily activities (bathing, toileting, medication reminders), fall prevention, meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry, transportation, and companionship. We offer respite care for families to give them the peace of mind that their loved one is not alone while they go to work or sleep. For clients with more medical needs, we offer an additional service that provides RN oversight and training to the caregiver. We are an approved provider for the GUIDE program under Medicare, and VetAssist for wartime veterans and their spouses.
We are also proud to announce that we have acquired a wheelchair-accessible shuttle that can transport individual clients and groups. Our shuttle service is much more than curb-to-curb transportation, ensuring peace of mind for clients and their families. Our caregivers provide support at every step of each trip by helping clients on and off the shuttle safely, as well as providing assistance at the destination.
My team and I are directly involved in every step of a client’s care journey to bring a personal touch back to caregiving. We have a full roster of experienced and dedicated caregivers, allowing us to respond swiftly to client’s needs, often starting care the same day if needed. We believe a consistent caregiver provides the best service, and take great care to personally match each family with a caregiver that can best meets their needs. We guarantee each shift, and personally introduce families to their caregivers, especially in the event a substitute caregiver is needed for a shift. We have no long-term contracts or commitments, and can take shifts as short as 2 hours or as long as continuous 24-hour care. Complex needs are something we specialize in and we look for creative solutions to help our clients. Helping people is our passion and we take it very seriously.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice is to not be afraid to talk to people, including competitors. Look for opportunities to meet new people, listen to their stories, and ask questions about their experience and best practices. In the senior services market, there are several groups that meet solely for the purpose of networking, with the hopes that working together allows us all to help seniors better. This has provided invaluable resources that I use frequently for my clients’ needs.
Pricing:
- Free assessments
- $34/hour for standard shifts (4+ continuous hours)
- $100/hour + mileage for wheelchair accessible shuttle service, individual or group
- RN oversight for an additional fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://westaustin.yourchoiceseniorcare.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ycscwestaustin
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-garrettycsc
