Success Story: Meet Brandy Stiles

In this interview, we sit down with Brandy Stiles, a CarePatrol senior care franchisee, to explore her unique journey into the world of elder care. 

From her diverse background as a dance teacher and realtor to her decision to embrace the senior care industry, Brandy shares the experiences, challenges, and rewards of becoming a CarePatrol senior care franchisee. 

As she opens up about the profound impact her work has on the lives of families and her personal growth, Brandy provides valuable insights for anyone considering a similar path in senior care.

Interview with Brandy Stiles, CarePatrol Senior Care Franchisee 

Brandy, can you tell me a little bit about your career path and what brought you to CarePatrol?  

So, I started my business journey as a dance teacher. I owned my own dance studio for a really long time, and I got to travel doing that, going to many states. I judged dance competitions. It was a lot of fun. Then, I started a family, and I became a stay-at-home mom.

And then, I tried to do something a little bit different, something I could control my time with, and I became a realtor. And that was a lot of fun.

Then, the market became terrible. So, I found CarePatrol and thought it was a perfect transition from being a realtor to helping people and taking care of their families.

Okay, we have to have a conversation about the dance thing. I love that. 

Well, have you ever heard of JoJo Siwa? I taught her a solo when she was four years old. Her mom flew me out from California because that is where I live. Her mom judged my kids at a dance competition. And I used to go around and judge dance competitions. And then she was like, “Oh my God, I love this girl.” 

And so, she called me and flew me out to Nebraska. And she was like, “You need to teach my daughter how to do a double turn before you leave this weekend.” And I was like, “Okay.” Then, I taught her a solo, and she participated in a group dance. And then she became this crazy star. So, I’m still friends with her mom and stuff too. It’s pretty cool.

Well, thank you for sharing that. That’s fun stuff. Okay, so I know you’re a new franchise. Do you think becoming a franchise owner of CarePatrol has changed your and your family’s lives? 

Becoming a CarePatrol franchisee has really improved our lives. I still have the flexibility to be with my family and watch my son swim, but I also get to help families. I’m an empath, and I really connect with these families, and they connect with me, and it’s just amazing. It’s an amazing journey all the way around.  

So, as a new franchisee, what type of support are you receiving? How has that helped you launch your business? 

When I first joined CarePatrol, Alyssa was amazing. She was our trainer, and you could ask her any time of day or any question, and she was there for you. So, the training support is amazing. She has been there for me 100% of the way. In fact, it was really hard to clip my wings and move on. But we still have many support options in the CarePatrol Franchise System.

When you thought about all the things you could do and all the things you’ve done, why did you select CarePatrol as a franchise option?

So, as a realtor helping families find their dream home, it kind of made sense to move into senior solutions. I like to help people find the next step and help families go through something this dramatic.

For them, it’s very heartwarming to me, and it helps guide them in a way, giving them that support, and there’s nothing like it. 

When we first met, you mentioned that you and your sister-in-law are in business. Tell us a little about your team. 

When we found CarePatrol as a franchisee, I mentioned it to my sister-in-law, and she said, “I want to learn more.” So, she came on board. We ended up purchasing the franchises at the same time. And then she told her sister-in-law about it. And she joined, too. 

So, we have been through training together, and we call each other every day. We would do Zoom calls almost every day, like training for the CSA test. It’s been amazing. And having the support of your family in the same business has been fantastic. That CSA test is the hardest thing. That’s the first thing they make you do before you can go to training. And we were all studying and studying and studying. It’s like the realtor test. 

I don’t know if you know anything about that. Everybody always says, “The realtor test is so hard.” The CSA test was hard, too, because it’s like you study all this stuff, and then it is nothing like what you study. It never is. 

But we studied so hard, and we would make all these Zoom calls, and then we would text each other a different thing. It was fun. Training with them and doing this whole business together has been a lot of fun. It’s been fun. That is really cool. They call us the CarePatrol sisters.

Okay, so I know you are new, but what are a few things you would say are a must-do for anyone else entering the CSA and entering this business?

Entering this business, you want to ensure it’s the right path for you. You have to make sure that you will be there for the families. You have to make sure that you can understand their struggles. 

You have to ensure you can be at their beck and call because they are scared. The number one thing is, they are scared. And so, you have to be a support to them. And as long as you can do that, you’re going to be perfect in this business.

How do you find your clients?

The biggest thing is marketing. You have to go, and you have to be consistent. CarePatrol has this great six-week marketing program, and it works. You have to do it because it works. You go into skilled nursing facilities. You’re going to get face sheets and work with those clients. You go to the doctor’s office. A lot of times that takes a while, but you have to keep nurturing the tree. Plant the seed, nurture it. It’s going to grow.

It’s a great visual, too, about nurturing that. Okay. So, as an owner, how does it feel to make such a big impact on people’s lives?

It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed when finding the right care setting for your loved one. I’ve been there with so many families, and every story touches my heart deeply. Just the other day, I had a client who went through a tough situation. She visited a place before consulting with me and ended up putting down a deposit. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get paid for that, but more importantly, she was really upset. I reassured her, “It’s okay. I want what’s best for your family, and for your dad. If that’s the best option, let’s do it. I’ll still support you every step of the way.”

We both shed some tears that day, but it wasn’t the end of the story. I was able to find an even better place at a better price that provided all the care she needed. When she realized how much I had helped, she was so grateful, and we shared a heartfelt hug. Moments like these remind me why I love what I do—it’s not just about finding a solution, but about truly supporting families through one of their most challenging times.

Every family’s journey is unique, and these stories are irreplaceable. They’re not just transactions or cases; they’re personal, heartfelt experiences that stay with you. Helping families navigate these decisions is truly rewarding, and I’m honored to be part of each of their stories.

What are some of those top attributes or skill sets that somebody who’s going to think about becoming a CarePatrol franchisee, what do they need to have?

 Thinking about becoming a CarePatrol franchisee? It’s essential to embody certain key attributes and skill sets that align with our mission. First and foremost, values are at the heart of everything we do. 

As a franchisee, you’ll need to demonstrate trust, empathy, accountability, mentorship, unity, and passion. If these qualities resonate with you, you’re likely a great fit for this business. Even if you feel you’re not fully there yet, remember that most of us have these qualities within us—they just need to be nurtured and developed.

Very true. Are there any things that you recommend avoiding as you’re starting up your business? What are some of those lessons you’ve learned?

As you start your journey, one critical lesson I’ve learned is to avoid trying to do it all. It’s natural to want to help everyone, especially in a caregiving business like ours, but it’s simply not feasible. Instead, focus on being a valuable resource for those you encounter. While you may not be able to directly assist everyone, especially those on programs like Medi-Cal, you can still provide guidance and options for senior care living or other senior care solutions.

One of the biggest challenges is acknowledging that you can’t help everyone, even when you really want to. It’s tough because the desire to support every family is strong, but understanding your limits and channeling your energy where it can have the most impact will ultimately lead to better outcomes for both you and the families you serve.

Anything else you’d like to share? 

When I think of CarePatrol, one word comes to mind: family. From the very beginning, I felt a strong sense of connection and support within the community. My training group was amazing; not only did I have my sisters-in-law with me, but I also met several other wonderful people who quickly became like family. We still keep in touch and have fun Zoom calls, which we’ve dubbed our happy hours. We even have a fun name for our group: Rhythm Nation.

This sense of family extends beyond just the initial training—it’s a lasting bond. Your training group will be the people you lean on for support, guidance, and camaraderie as you navigate your journey as a CarePatrol franchisee. It’s not just about business; it’s about building relationships and finding your own rhythm within a network that truly feels like home.

Ready to join a community that feels like family? Learn more about becoming a CarePatrol franchisee today.

If you’re thinking about making a change in your career next year, take your first step by requesting your FREE Franchise Information Kit today! In this guide, you’ll learn all about CarePatrol’s competitive advantages, startup costs, mission, and so much more. Or, if you prefer to ask questions one-on-one with an expert representative, we’re happy to chat with you over the phone at (248) 781-8821.