During Women’s History Month, Home Helpers® Home Care is proud to share the stories, life lessons and visions behind successful female franchisees by showcasing the work they do every day.
Across the country, women are leading Home Helpers® Home Care franchises with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to the seniors within their communities. More than 68% of Home Helpers Home Care franchisees are entrepreneurial women who are proving that business success and compassionate care can go hand in hand.
In honor of Women’s History Month, meet three inspiring women leading the way in home care and making life easier for seniors in the communities they serve.
Erika Nogueira, PhD, CSA & CNA
Home Helpers® Home Care of Sarasota, Florida
Meet Erika: For Erika Nogueira, home care isn’t just a career; it’s a tribute. After serving as a Caregiver for her grandparents in Brazil, she made it her life’s work to ensure families had access to exceptional Caregivers to assist with their aging loved ones. In 2019, she became a franchisee in Sarasota, where she can now offer the same dignity and grace, she once gave to those she loved the most.
"I wanted to build a business that genuinely changes lives, and in-home care lets me support older adults and families in a way that feels personal and deeply meaningful."
Since opening her franchise, Erika has worked to build a team that prioritizes trust, consistency and showing up. A defining moment came when a family shared with her, "We can finally sleep at night because of your team." That moment confirmed she had built a team and a business that was truly making a difference in the lives of families and their loved ones.
Caregiver recruiting and retention pushed Erika to become more intentional about culture and recognition, and she’s building a team where people feel genuinely valued. She believes the future of women in franchising is bright.
"The future is women leading with heart, resilience, and strategy, building businesses that grow strong while lifting families, teams, and communities with them."
Erika’s advice for women considering franchise ownership: “Start before you feel fully ready, stay close to your numbers and surround yourself with people who will challenge you and cheer for you at the same time.”
Kate Ricke, CSA, CDP
Home Helpers® Home Care of Larimer County, Colorado
Meet Kate: Kate Ricke joined Home Helpers® Home Care in 2020 to build her franchise around a simple but powerful belief: business leadership and human impact belong together. In Larimer County, Kate supports older adults, veterans, and families, while creating meaningful careers for the Caregivers on her team.
There's more info on Kate's background here.
"I was drawn to in-home care because it allows me to blend business leadership with deep human impact. It felt like the kind of work that truly matters."
Watching Caregivers on her team receive national recognition and seeing their confidence grow alongside it. For Kate, leadership is about creating space for others to shine. She is proud to have Caregivers on her team receive national recognition and has seen their confidence grow over the years.
“Women have long been the backbone of caregiving. As leaders in this space, we bring emotional intelligence, collaboration and a holistic understanding of family dynamics. These qualities are essential as the demand for in-home care continues to grow.”
Scaling a business while protecting a family-like culture has been Kate's biggest challenge and her greatest motivator. It pushed her to lead with both strength and empathy, trusting instincts even when decisions are hard.
"The future of women in franchising is collaborative, confident, values-driven, and unapologetically powerful."
Kate’s advice for women considering franchise ownership: “Trust your vision. Build strong systems early. Surround yourself with mentors. And remember, your empathy and intuition are strengths, not weaknesses.”
Heather Deringer
Home Helpers® Home Care of Central Clark County
Meet Heather: Heather Deringer's path into franchising started with a very personal experience. 20 years ago, she was a young mother who also needed to step into the role of caring for her mother-in-law. At the time, finding reliable in-home care was nearly impossible. That experience never left her. When her kids were nearly grown up, Heather knew exactly what her next chapter would look like, and in 2021 she began franchising with Home Helpers® Home Care.
"I wanted it to be meaningful, and in-home care spoke to me."
In 2025, Heather faced her most defining leadership test. After being faced with personal health concerns, she was required to step away from the business for an extended period. Her team not only held things together; they kept moving forward seamlessly.
"I realized fully that I had created a team that could flourish and keep the business running in my absence. I had created the framework to allow that to happen. That, more than any awards or accolades, was a true measure of my leadership."
Heather believes women bring a rare and powerful combination of empathy, resilience, and advocacy to the in-home care industry, and that collectively, the voices of women in home care carry enormous weight in shaping its future.
“Not everyone is a good Caregiver, and not everyone makes a good franchise owner. There is so much involved in balancing the requirements of people in real need: the needs of caregiving, the needs of our clients, the desire to provide meaningful jobs, the list goes on and on. Women bring a beautiful and unique set of skills to the table.”
Heather’s advice for women considering franchising: “It’s always your time to shine. Haven’t run a business before? Consider what skillsets you’ve been cultivating behind the scenes. Paying your bills, managing household taxes, volunteering and making spaces for others to do their best – you might have the making of a fabulous franchise owner.”
The Future of Women in In-Home Care Franchising is Bright
Erika, Kate, and Heather are just a few of the compassionate women who represent the heart of Home Helpers® Home Care. They serve as shining examples of leaders who build businesses rooted in purpose, serve their communities with dedication, and lift others up along the way. To every woman making a difference in any industry, we celebrate you not only during Women’s History Month, but throughout the year.
Ready to take the next step? Connect with a Home Helpers® Home Care franchise development consultant today to explore available territories and learn more.
- Website: https://www.homehelpersfranchise.com/
- Call: 844-899-8801
- Text: 513-446-3577