2009
16
$50,000
$34,000
$87,050
No
Ask-Carol! Senior Living Guidance is a compassionate, home-based franchise opportunity that empowers entrepreneurs to make a meaningful impact in the lives of seniors and their families.Founded in 2009 by Carol Shockley, the franchise specializes in assisting families to find the right assisted living facilities for their elderly loved ones.With a network of over 1,000 partner facilities nationwide, Ask-Carol! offers a proven business model in the rapidly growing senior care industry.Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training, ongoing support, and the flexibility of operating from home, making it an ideal venture for individuals seeking a purpose-driven business with strong financial potential.
Growing Market Demand: The senior population in the U.S. is rapidly increasing, with over 46 million individuals aged 65 and older. This demographic shift creates a sustained demand for senior living solutions.
Proven Business Model: Ask-Carol! has a track record of success, with 16 existing franchise units and a comprehensive system that has been refined over years of operation.
Low Overhead Costs: Operating from home reduces the need for significant capital investment in physical infrastructure, making it a cost-effective business model.
Meaningful Impact: Franchisees play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for seniors, providing a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing support, including one-on-one coaching and access to a user-friendly database management system.
Established Year: Ask-Carol! was founded in 2009, emerging as a solution-driven business to help families navigate the often-complex senior living landscape.
Founders: The franchise was established by Carol and Bill Shockley, whose personal experience with placing a loved one in assisted living inspired the creation of a professional, compassionate service for families nationwide.
Franchise Units: Ask-Carol! has 16 active franchise units across the United States, with opportunities for expansion in most states.
Brand Journey & Company History: The company began as a personal mission by Carol Shockley, who recognized a significant gap in the senior care market: families lacked guidance and clear information to make informed decisions about assisted living facilities. By combining industry expertise with a personalized approach, Ask-Carol! evolved into a full-scale franchise model, enabling other entrepreneurs to replicate its success while helping families find the right senior living solutions.
Ownership: The brand is privately owned by its founders, ensuring continuity of vision, values, and hands-on support for franchisees.
Market Presence in the USA: Ask-Carol! operates nationwide, offering its services and franchise opportunities across most states. Its network of over 1,000 partner facilities strengthens its reputation and gives franchisees access to a wide array of senior living options.
Industry Category: Ask-Carol! operates within the Senior Care / Assisted Living Placement sector, a fast-growing industry in the U.S. driven by an aging population and rising demand for personalized senior care services.
Additional Information: The franchise is designed as a home-based business model, allowing franchisees to operate with lower overhead costs while providing meaningful services to their communities. The system emphasizes ethical guidance, professional training, and strong local marketing support to ensure franchise success.
Ask-Carol! offers comprehensive support and training programs designed to help franchisees launch, operate, and grow a successful senior living guidance business. The franchise emphasizes structured training, operational guidance, marketing assistance, and ongoing development to ensure every franchisee thrives.
In-depth Industry Education: Franchisees learn the fundamentals of the senior care industry, including assisted living options, regulations, and best practices for helping families navigate placements.
Business Setup Guidance: Training includes assistance with home office setup, understanding franchise operations, and establishing processes for client management.
Database & Technology Training: Franchisees are trained to use Ask-Carol!’s proprietary database and CRM system, allowing efficient tracking of client referrals, facility information, and communication.
Day-to-Day Operations: Franchisees receive guidance on managing client inquiries, facility partnerships, and scheduling consultations.
Process Optimization: Ongoing support ensures franchisees adopt best practices for efficiency, client satisfaction, and compliance with industry standards.
Problem-Solving Assistance: A dedicated corporate support team is available to address operational challenges, provide advice, and offer real-world solutions.
Launch Marketing: Pre-opening marketing plans and promotional materials help franchisees generate leads and build local awareness.
Ongoing Marketing: Franchisees receive access to proven marketing strategies, including social media guidance, email campaigns, community outreach, and print materials.
Brand Recognition: Ask-Carol! supports franchisees in leveraging the established national brand to attract clients and build credibility.
Senior Advisor Certification: Franchisees are guided to earn professional certifications that enhance credibility, such as becoming a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA).
Continued Learning: Access to webinars, workshops, and industry updates ensures franchisees stay knowledgeable about trends, regulations, and best practices.
Regular Check-Ins: Corporate staff maintain regular contact to monitor performance, provide coaching, and suggest improvements.
Peer Network: Franchisees can connect with other Ask-Carol! owners for experience sharing, advice, and networking opportunities.
Problem Resolution: The franchise provides continuous access to resources for troubleshooting challenges, client disputes, or operational issues.
Summary: Ask-Carol!’s support structure is designed to minimize risk and maximize success for franchisees. From the first day of training to years of ongoing guidance, franchisees are never left to operate alone. They gain the confidence, tools, and mentorship needed to grow a profitable, meaningful home-based business in the fast-growing senior care sector.
Ask-Carol! is designed for entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping others and want to make a meaningful impact in the senior care industry. The franchise seeks individuals with a combination of empathy, business acumen, and dedication to client service.
Compassionate & Empathetic: Franchisees must genuinely care about seniors and their families, providing guidance with sensitivity and understanding.
Self-Motivated & Independent: Since Ask-Carol! operates primarily as a home-based business, franchisees should be able to manage their schedules, take initiative, and drive results independently.
Strong Communicators: Effective communication skills are essential for interacting with families, seniors, and facility partners.
Healthcare Experience (Optional): While prior experience in healthcare, social work, or senior services can be beneficial, it is not required.
Business Acumen: A background in sales, marketing, or business management helps, but the franchise provides thorough training to bring franchisees up to speed.
Financial Readiness: Franchisees should have the minimum required investment capital to cover franchise fees, initial operating expenses, and marketing budgets.
Long-Term Commitment: Ideal candidates are prepared to invest both time and resources to grow the business sustainably.
Home-Based Operation: Franchisees should have a dedicated space for their home office, ensuring professionalism and efficiency.
Community-Oriented: The ideal franchisee thrives in a local market, actively networking with families, senior facilities, and community organizations to build a strong client base.
Problem-Solver & Resourceful: Able to navigate complex situations and find solutions for families seeking senior care.
Goal-Oriented & Persistent: Committed to achieving revenue goals while maintaining high standards of service.
Ethical & Trustworthy: Operates with integrity, as the business involves highly personal and sensitive client matters.
Summary: The ideal Ask-Carol! franchisee combines empathy, independence, and business drive to deliver exceptional guidance for families navigating senior care. They are motivated by purpose and profit alike, seeking a fulfilling business opportunity that allows them to make a real difference in their community while building a scalable, home-based enterprise.
The total investment to start an Ask-Carol! franchise ranges from $43,400 to $87,050. This includes initial franchise fees, setup costs, and working capital to cover early operations.
Prospective franchisees should have at least $50,000 in liquid capital available to meet initial business and personal financial requirements.
The one-time franchise fee is $34,000, granting access to the brand, training, technology platform, and initial support resources.
Being a home-based business, infrastructure costs are minimal. Primary expenses include a dedicated home office, computer equipment, phone, and basic office supplies.
Franchisees are encouraged to allocate funds for local marketing initiatives, such as community events, online advertising, and print materials. Corporate marketing support is provided to guide campaigns and branding.
Sufficient working capital is necessary to cover the initial months of operations, including expenses like technology subscriptions, transportation, and miscellaneous business costs.
Ask-Carol! charges a royalty fee, typically a percentage of gross revenue, to support ongoing corporate services, brand management, and system maintenance. Specific terms are provided during franchise discussions.
Franchisees can achieve a strong return on investment as the business establishes a client base. Earnings grow with the number of senior placement referrals made to partner facilities.
Most franchisees reach break-even within the first year, assuming active marketing, client engagement, and proper operational management.
Revenue is primarily generated through placement fees paid by assisted living facilities for each successful referral.
Additional income can come from consulting services, educational workshops, and local partnerships.
Summary: Ask-Carol! offers a financially accessible franchise opportunity with low overhead, flexible home-based operations, and multiple revenue streams. With proper marketing and client engagement, franchisees can build a profitable and sustainable business in the rapidly growing senior care sector.
