One of the many advantages of franchising with Home Helpers® Home Care is the opportunity to take part in the Home Helpers® Home Care National Conference, an annual event that brings franchisees, their Caregivers, and staff from the National Support Center together to celebrate achievements and strengthen the franchise network.
If you are still deciding whether franchising is the right path, Home Helpers® Home Care’s National Conference offers a clear look at one of the biggest advantages of joining an established system. Instead of trying to figure everything out on your own, you have the opportunity to learn from franchise owners across the country, hear what is working in their markets, and bring those ideas back to your own business. That kind of access can help franchisees get started quicker, build stronger, and move forward with greater confidence.
A Franchise Model Built on Momentum
The energy in Charlotte was strong for good reason: the Home Helpers® Home Care franchise network continues to grow. In 2025, 41 new franchises were awarded, reflecting continued interest in the brand and the strength of the franchise system.
That growth matters because it reflects a home care franchise model, built over 29 years, that continues to resonate with many entrepreneurs looking for a business opportunity backed by proven systems, support, and continued demand. It also means new franchisees step into a nationwide network of business owners who are actively helping shape, strengthen, and grow the Home Helpers Home Care brand.
What Makes The Home Helpers® Home Care National Conference Truly Unique
The 2026 Home Helpers® Home Care National Conference opened with a keynote address and interactive workshop featuring thought leader Seth Mattison, who challenged attendees to think boldly about the future of leadership and workforce culture. The day continued with deep-dive sessions and a forward-looking discussion on driving sustainable growth, all part of the ongoing support that defines the Home Helpers Home Care franchise owner experience.
For anyone exploring the Home Helpers Home Care franchise opportunity, this is where the value becomes more tangible. The Home Helpers Home Care National Conference gives franchisees from across the country the opportunity to share ideas and best practices that can strengthen their own businesses.
It also reflects one of the brand’s strongest differentiators: support continues well beyond launch. Home Helpers Home Care provides dedicated two years of onboarding to help new franchise owners build a strong foundation from day one, along with Performance Coaches backed by 95+ years of combined experience who help franchisees navigate growth, refine operations, and strengthen performance over time. That support is reinforced by proprietary tools and technology designed to help franchise owners operate more effectively as they continue building their businesses.
Celebrating Outstanding Leaders: The 2026 Brand Champion Award Winners
One of the most meaningful traditions at the Home Helpers® Home Care National Conference is the presentation of the Brand Champion Awards given to franchisees who embody the proven in-home care franchise model and live the mission of Making Life Easier®. This year, five franchisees were honored:
Lisa & Brian Fausey
Lisa joined Home Helpers Home Care in 2016 and has built a reputation for compassionate care and a family-first team culture. In 2023, her husband Brian, a U.S. Veteran, joined her as Vice President of Operations of their franchise location. They now own franchises in West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia, and their agencies have been recognized by Activated Insights as Provider of Choice, Employer of Choice, and Leader in Experience. Their Martinsburg, WV, location was named Top 100 in Experience in 2026.
Edward & Geitta Hawkins
Edward and Geitta joined Home Helpers Home Care in 2019 and have since grown their Jacksonville, FL, business into multiple territories built on service, leadership, and family values. As military Veterans, they have a special relationship and passion for those who serve our country as well as underserved populations. One of their agency’s main areas of focus is giving back to Veterans. The commitment, discipline, and leadership from their military service continue to shape the way they lead their business today. They were also recipients of several awards at the Home Helpers Home Care National Conference, including The Spirit of Adam Brown and Brand Champion Awards.
Jason Janoski
Through a relentless focus on quality care, strong Caregiver culture, and disciplined leadership, Jason has created a business that continues to grow while delivering exceptional service to families throughout the Columbus, Ohio, community.
His agency has been consistently recognized by Activated Insights as a Leader in Experience, Employer of Choice, and Provider of Choice. He has also received several Home Helpers Home Care National Conference awards, including BOLD One, Spirit of Adam Brown, and Brand Champion Awards. Jason served as chair of the Innovation Council, participates in Meet The Team Day events with prospective franchisees, and participates in New Franchisee Training Weeks. Jason was also the first Home Helpers Home Care franchisee to earn the Certified Franchise Executive designation through the International Franchise Association.
Rick Cseak
Rick has led the Metro Denver office since 2008, and since then he has become a multi-award winner whose accolades span the Shooting Star, Spirit of Adam Brown, CEO Award, and multiple Brand Champion Awards. Rick was also recently honored at the 2026 International Franchise Association Multi-Unit Franchising Conference with the Veteran Entrepreneurship Award. He is an Agencies of Excellence honoree, a Performance Group member, a former Innovation Council member, and he even emceed a previous Home Helpers Home Care National Conference. Rick’s journey exemplifies the scalable business model and veteran-friendly culture at the heart of Home Helpers Home Care.
Phil & Michelle Nunn
Phil and Michelle joined Home Helpers Home Care in 2018 and now serve Carmel and the greater Indianapolis, IN, area across five exclusive territories. Michelle brings decades of nursing experience; Phil brings strong business leadership. Together, they are recognized as a Provider of Choice and a Leader in Training and are tireless advocates for growing the franchise network nationwide, embodying the spirit of Making Life Easier®.
For future franchise owners, stories like these help bring the opportunity to life. They show what can happen when franchisees lean into the support, structure, and shared insight available through the Home Helpers Home Care franchise system.
An Evening to Remember: The Winner’s Circle Gala
Thursday night at the Gala brought the entire community together for a celebration of excellence across the Home Helpers® Home Care network. The following franchise owners were recognized throughout the evening:
Brand Identity Award: Cesar Alonso Gonzalez
Since opening his Georgia agency in 2024, Cesar has become a model for how to build a powerful local brand presence using Home Helpers Home Care’s marketing tools. He is an active member of the website committee, co-founded the senior care networking group 515 Senior Services, and partners with Stand Up for Seniors and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Spirit of Adam Brown Award: Aaron & Bojana Winaker
This deeply meaningful award honors franchisees who embody the spirit of community, collaboration, and service. Aaron and Bojana opened their California agency in 2023 and quickly became go-to resources for their peers, leading roundtable discussions, participating in the Home Helpers Home Care National Conference breakout sessions, sharing referral marketing best practices, and hosting tech hours at assisted living communities.
CEO Award: Phillip & Beth Dow
Having launched their Georgia agency in 2007, Phillip and Beth represent nearly two decades of dedication to Home Helpers Home Care and the communities they serve. Beth is a Certified Alzheimer’s Educator, a Certified Senior Advisor, and a Geriatric Case Manager who published the book My Loved One Has Dementia. Now What? and is a certified instructor for The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving. Their community involvement, from the Walk to End Alzheimer’s to Habitat for Humanity, reflects the spirit of what Home Helpers Home Care stands for.
Recognition like this reflects the kind of franchise culture Home Helpers Home Care continues to build across the nationwide network, one where leadership, collaboration, and meaningful community impact are regularly recognized and celebrated.
Celebrating the Heartbeat of Home Helpers® Home Care: The Exceptional Caregiver Awards
Home Helpers® Home Care received more than 270 nominations this year, a record-setting outpouring of recognition for the men and women on the front lines of care. Six individuals were honored as Exceptional Caregivers of the Year. These Caregiver recognition programs are a hallmark of the brand’s commitment to independence and dignity for every client served. This year’s honorees include:
Amy Huston, Pearland, TX
With six heartfelt nominations from clients, families, staff, and franchisee Leo Walker himself, one word came up repeatedly: “godsend.” What truly sets Amy apart is her positive, go-getter attitude. Amy is someone who steps in with compassion, foresight, and heart, making each day better and brighter, including taking initiative to grow in her role by pursuing her Certified Nursing Assistant license on her own to elevate the care she provides. For her clients, Amy is a trusted companion, someone who listens, laughs, and truly sees the person behind the care. For families, she brings peace of mind and comfort.
Ashley Vanwinkle, London, KY
On May 16, 2025, a devastating tornado struck London, Kentucky, destroying nearly everything in its path. At the time, Ashley was caring for two elderly clients when their home took a direct hit. In those terrifying moments, Ashley’s extraordinary courage and commitment were put to the ultimate test. As the storm tore through the home, she shielded her clients with her own body, protecting them from flying debris and the immense force of the tornado. Her quick thinking and bravery saved their lives. Her story is one of selfless courage in the face of uncertainty, rising to the occasion to protect her clients when it mattered most.
Charles Chasen, Bradenton, FL
In 2017, Charles faced an unforeseen challenge that changed his life forever, and learning to walk again was only the beginning. Determined to rebuild both his body and his spirit, Charles turned his own journey into a powerful source of compassion for others. Because of what he has lived through, Charles connects with clients on a level that few can. When he tells a client, “You’ve got this,” it carries the strength of lived experience and inspires hope in every moment. Charles was recently promoted to Lead Caregiver not only because of his leadership and consistency, but for the heart he brings to every interaction.
Kienu Burns, Carmel, IN
Kienu leads with compassion, resilience, and joy, creating meaningful connections and lifting her clients’ spirits. Her life and work have shaped her into the Exceptional Caregiver she is today, with a strength and positive energy that inspire everyone around her. When one client’s mobility began to decline, his wife struggled with the worry of leaving him alone, and Kienu stepped in with compassion and presence, ensuring he was safe, supported, and never alone. Her care made a world of difference, giving his wife peace of mind and freedom to run errands and continue doing the things she loves. Kienu is a bright light to all, bringing comfort and joy to everyday moments.
Lisa Ilomin, Altadena, CA
When catastrophic wildfires swept through Southern California in January 2025, Lisa remained calm in the face of chaos. As flames approached Altadena, she carefully helped her client gather essentials and navigate to safety as evacuation orders came through. Lisa and her client spent five days together, and her family found peace of mind knowing she was safe and in the caring hands of Lisa. The two share a bond that not only feels like a gift but feels like family.
Martha Holmes, Santa Clara Valley, CA
For more than five years, Martha has been a steady, compassionate presence for those she serves, providing not only expert care but also emotional support and meaningful companionship. She treats every moment with warmth, patience, and respect, celebrating milestones, honoring individuality, and creating a sense of comfort that truly enhances daily life. She manages complex needs with precision and approaches every situation with integrity and reliability. Whether advocating for her client or supporting her team, she consistently goes above and beyond.
In the home care industry, the Exceptional Caregiver Awards are one of Home Helpers Home Care’s most meaningful differentiators. These awards reflect a culture that celebrates exceptional caregiving and helps business owners build teams where people feel valued.
Key Learnings and What It Means for Potential Franchisees
If there is one takeaway from the 2026 Home Helpers® Home Care National Conference, it is this: when you franchise with Home Helpers Home Care, you gain access to an experienced and supportive nationwide network that can help strengthen your business at every stage of ownership.
The franchise owners celebrated this year leaned into the proven in-home care franchise model, embraced collaboration, and built something that truly mattered to their clients, their teams, and their fellow franchisees.
That is part of the Home Helpers Home Care difference. Franchisees receive best-in-class support through dedicated 24 months of onboarding, Performance Coaches with 95+ years of combined experience, proprietary tools and technology, and enrichment programs like IMPACT Selling and Agencies of Excellence that help strengthen operations and growth over time. Add in Caregiver recognition through the Exceptional Caregiver Awards, and the result is a business opportunity built to support both business performance and meaningful community impact.
These stories give future franchise owners a clearer picture of what can be possible through a home care franchise backed by structure, support, and a nationwide network built to help franchisees keep refining and growing their businesses over time.
Ready to Write Your Own Story with Home Helpers® Home Care?
The in-home care industry is booming, and the Home Helpers® Home Care system continues to show signs of strong growth. Now is the time to explore what business ownership can look like in this high-demand space. Visit homehelpersfranchise.com to learn more about the Home Helpers Home Care franchise opportunity and see how this franchise model can help you build a meaningful, successful business in your own market.