Frustrations become growing business helping the elderly
When a Lake County couple attempted to find care for their grandma, who was suffering with cancer in Florida, they grew frustrated.
Shelly and JR Sun compared many of the care companies they explored to discount retailers, focusing on low prices and large volume. Often companies wouldn't do what they agreed to, and lacked compassion.
When the Suns couldn't find a care company with the Neiman Marcus-level of service they were looking for, they took a risk. They left their corporate careers to start their own business.
In 2002, they launched BrightStar Healthcare, a health care staffing agency that provides medical and nonmedical home care to private clients within their homes, as well as supplemental health-care staff to corporate clients.
Founded six years ago, the company is part of a fast-growing industry. As the Baby Boom population ages, families are turning to in-home assistance to provide the elderly with help living their lives, from bathing to taking medication - or merely providing companionship.
BrightStar, based in Gurnee, now has 60 locations in the U.S., with growth plans for 340 more over the next couple years. "We've grown slowly," said Shelly, 38. Potential franchisees are interviewed for two days to ensure the fit is right. "We're looking to grow with the right high-quality people," Shelly said.
Lidia Kolarikova was recently selected to start a franchise in Naperville. "I like this company's values - family, integrity and compassion," she said. Like Sun, Kolarikova also recognized the growing industry. "Adult children are often living farther away from their parents. It's hard to find suitable caregivers. You want the piece of mind," said Kolarikova, 34.
She says she's inspired by Sun's values and expansion plans. "We want to be as well-known as McDonald's, with the quality of Starbucks," Kolarikova said.
The hiring of high-quality caregivers is also vital in the operation. Every franchise employs a registered nurse to interview potential candidates. "This is an aspect that makes us different," Shelly said.
To attract the best caregivers, Sun pays employees more, gives them access to benefits, does national background checks and conducts drug screening in the office.
In order to support these practices, BrightStar charges clients between $1 and $5 more per hour more than similar companies.
The owners, residents of Lake Forest, combined their previous experience in forming the company. Sun holds a master's degree in accounting and was a vice president at CNA Insurance, where she headed CNA's Securities and Exchange Commission activities. JD was a day trader with an entrepreneurial background - his father, a physician and mother, a hotel owner.
"It's a good blend," said Shelly, who has developed and patented the BrightStar technology used to operate the company. The couple, raising 3-year-old twin sons, added that BrightStar also handles pediatric home care, and short- and long-term medical care.
One aspect that Shelly feels has been important in expanding the business is surrounding herself with "great advisers." "For example, Gloria Jean from the coffee company (by that name) sits on my advisory board," Shelly said.
It's vital to offset your weaknesses with the knowledge of other people, she added. For more details, check out www.brightstarhealthcare.com.
It's a date: The grand opening of The Arboretum of South Barrington has been set for Sept. 26-28. Final touches are now under way at the large outdoor center, which is at the corner of routes 59 and 72.
About $1 million is being devoted to the grand opening, which will feature live music, children's activities and strolling entertainers. A headline concert and fireworks display on Sept. 27 will highlight at the event, said Michael Jaffe, principal of The Jaffe Cos., owner and developer of the 86-acre project, with a price tag of about $200 million. About 900 people attended a job fair Monday sponsored by the center and about 33 retailers.
Let's communicate: Aurora University is offering information about a new adult degree-completion major in communication at an open house at 4:30 Tuesday. Prospective students are invited to the event in room 213 in the Institute for Collaboration, 407 S. Calumet Ave. in Aurora.
Faculty and staff will provide information about academic requirements, admission procedures, transfer credit evaluation, and financial aid. For more, call (630) 844-5294.
kmikus@dailyherald.com