Melody Leskun founded House Calls Health & Wellness in 2008 out of a desire to assist seniors to maintain their independence at home. This decision has been the foundation of what is now a trusted brand in home care in Canada. Melody currently sits on the Seniors Advisory Committee for the Township of Langley and also participated in the formation of the Better at Home initiative for Langley.
Be The Boss.ca: Tell us about the House Calls Health and Wellness concept.
Melody Leskun: House Calls Health & Wellness offers both medical and non-medical home care services with a focus on personalized care. This focus has been the cornerstone of our success. What sets us apart from our competitors is our diversity. In addition to our home care services we also offer foot care, compression stocking fittings and home safety and mobility aids. Our commitment to addressing a client’s holistic needs has motivated us to expand our services.
BTB: How and when did you get involved with House Calls Health and Wellness?
ML: I am Nurse by trade and had my start in the public sector prior to founding House Calls Health and Wellness. Working in Acute Medicine in the hospital brought me face to face with the needs of seniors on a daily basis. It also really identified for me that there are gaps in our public health care system that are leaving seniors needing more. This spurred me to start House Calls Health & Wellness to bridge these gaps.
BTB: What was your background prior to joining House Calls Health and Wellness?
ML: Prior to founding House Calls Health and Wellness I worked as a full time Nurse in the acute medical field and specialized in geriatric nursing.
BTB: What are some of the advantages in being a House Calls Health and Wellness franchisee?
ML: A Franchise Partner with House Calls Health & Wellness can look forward to making a difference in people’s lives while building a successful and profitable business. House Calls Franchisees have the distinct advantage of working from home as a leasehold space is not required, which dramatically reduces overhead. House Calls also has a 24/7 Call Center at our local corporate location which greatly reduces administrative costs and time demands. We offer extensive training and on-going support as long as you remain a partner of ours!
BTB: Who is your ideal franchisee?
ML: A healthcare background is NOT required. Our franchise partners are entrepreneurs with strong business management and marketing skills who have a desire to bring value to their communities. Our ideal franchisee has a good understanding of the return on energy policy and also understands and employs the personal motivation that it takes to be successful in business.
BTB: Tell us a little about the Home Care market.
ML: Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of our business and along with consistency and respect are what create the unique bond between the caregiver and client. With Canadian demographics pointing to what is being referred to as a “silver tsunami” there is an overwhelming need for an increase in senior’s services, in particular home care. This trend is not off in the distance, it is upon us now. Our government will not be in a position to handle the large-scale number of individuals who require assistance and most of these individuals can be very successful in their own homes with home care services. This is where House Calls comes in. The timing is perfect and the opportunity is enormous. We have enjoyed success on the journey beginning in 2008 and are eager to share this success with our partners.
BTB: What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in growing this franchise?
ML: Creating the franchise of the company has showed how important teamwork and communication really are in a business.
BTB: Do you have a mentor and is there someone you use for inspiration?
ML: I wouldn’t say that I have a mentor as much as that I am inspired and motivated by the senior citizens that I meet every day. It is just so rewarding to be able to help people that generally ask for no more than to be treated with respect and dignity.
BTB: What advice do you have for someone looking to acquire a franchise?
ML: I would advise anybody looking to acquire a franchise to motivate themselves to strive for success every day. If the potential franchisee believes that the key to positive growth and business success lies within them and they are willing to cultivate relationships in that way, they have every chance of excelling in business or life in general.
BTB: In your opinion, why do you think that House Calls Health and Wellness would be a great opportunity for someone?
ML: I believe that House Calls Health and Wellness would be a wonderful opportunity as the need for our services are tremendous and growing by the day. You need only read any statistics on the aging of our citizens to see that our services are important to the point of essential.
