Terry and Lynn wanted more control over their careers and began exploring franchise opportunities with Nan Stricker of GPS Franchise. The Nolands were looking for a new challenge that would give them the opportunity to build relationships within their community and satisfy their desire to care for those in need of assistance. Lynn had worked as an accountant and financial analyst for 18 years. She had been laid off due to company restructuring multiple times and each time had a nagging urge to do something different. Terry worked in the lubrication industry in various technical roles for more than 16 years. Due to the nature of his work, the value he brought to companies was project-based and, therefore, temporary.
Lynn and Terry enjoy helping others by volunteering in countless ways with their church, the Boy Scouts, local schools, community outreach for the homeless, as well as the urban schools literacy programs and are now taking the next logical step by choosing to make it their full-time business. “The care services industry is a natural fit for them,” said Nan Stricker.
“We were looking for a business opportunity that aligned with our spirit and commitment to our local community which would allow us to work together,” Terry Noland explained. “FirstLight wasn’t the only business we investigated but was by far the best,” he said. “We both have led separate careers and now feel we have reached a place in our lives where we can express our passion for helping others in need.”
“FirstLight’s ‘Culture of Care’ is not a catch phrase; it is the vision we live in every relationship we form with our clients, caregivers, family and friends,” he said. “We feel what we do matters to us more than any other job we have ever held. It is the greatest feeling in the world to be in a position to help others and support ourselves at the same time.”
For Lynn Noland, the business is the perfect opportunity to combine her deeply rooted commitment to the community with a purpose-driven future that allows her to work with her husband. “FirstLight HomeCare is providing an opportunity for me to live out my mission and make it my business to help others in need,” she said. “The bonus is that I get to do it with my favorite person side by side.”
Lynn is thankful to have found Nan Stricker, stating, “Nan has been a supportive partner assisting us in finding the right franchise for us. She ensured that we had all the information we needed and encouraged us in our communications with franchisors to find the right fit. Her technical and emotional guidance was an unexpected surprise as we had not experienced this kind of attention throughout many investigations in the past. She treated us like a friend with our best interest at heart instead of like a client to be handled. We truly believe her strongest talent is caring that she matches the ‘right’ franchisee with the ‘right’ franchise. Thank you, Nan.”