We are Amada

We are continuing our inspiring conversation with Amada Senior Care franchise owner Lilla O'Dwyer in part two of this two-part series! Moving deeper into the operational and strategic realities of running a successful senior care business, Lilla shares transparent insights about scaling her location, navigating competition, and building meaningful community connections. 

Whether you are considering franchise ownership or looking for motivation in your current business, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and authentic industry experiences.

Topics and Questions Covered in This Episode:

In this episode of the We Are Amada podcast with Lilla O'Dwyer, owner of Amada Senior Care in the Denver area, we discuss the rapidly growing Senior Care territory in West Denver, Boulder, and Northern Colorado. Lilla shares her journey as a Registered Nurse turned business owner and discusses how Amada Senior Care differentiates itself through its dedicated handling of long-term care insurance claims for families.

Topics and Questions Covered:

Welcome to the second half of our deep dive into senior care entrepreneurship! In this part 2 of 2 episode, we sit down with Amada Senior Care franchise owner Lina Lopez to discuss her inspirational path toward becoming a business owner, how personal life challenges fuel business success, and why showing up consistently is the real key to growing a long-lasting care business.

In this Part 2 episode, we discuss:

In this episode, we welcome Lina Lopez, owner of the Amada Senior Care West Long Beach, CA. Lina transitioned from a career in the fashion industry and running a family business in Colombia to becoming a dedicated home care entrepreneur. Her path into senior care was shaped by her own personal health challenges and her heartfelt caregiving experiences. Driven by empathy and purpose, Lina has built a thriving care business guided by strong core values and a deep commitment to serving others.

In this episode, we talk about:

In this Part 2 episode of the We Are Amada Podcast with host Marcos Moura, we pick up where we left off in Part 1 with Keith Bercun, Owner of Amada Boca Raton, FL. In this half of the conversation, Keith turns up the heat on the specific systems, technologies, and strategies that helped him achieve an incredibly successful, record-breaking first year in a highly competitive market.

We discuss a wide range of topics, including:

In this episode of the We Are Amada Podcast, Marcos speaks at length with Amada Senior Care owner in Boca Raton, FL, Keith Bercun. Keith's deep commitment to the seniors and families on care at Amada is a pleasure to hear about, as is his extensive experience and knowledge about Long Term Care insurance. 

In this episode, they discuss:

From start to finish, this episode challenges what you m...

In this episode, we sit down with Denise Gott, the CEO of ACSIAS Partners. As a leader in her organization, Denise oversees a framework of approximately 130 long-term care specialists who focus exclusively on long-term care planning. ACSIAS Partners is recognized as one of the largest long-term care insurance brokerage firms in the country.

Together, they discuss the following topics:

In this episode of the We Are Amada podcast, our outstanding guest shares his views and insights from behind the scenes at Amada Senior Care! Tyler Hincy, Vice President of Corporate Locations, talks about his journey from high-level retail and e-commerce into the world of senior care. 

Despite having no prior healthcare experience, Tyler explains how he applied universal business principles to his new role, resulting in a revitalized Orange County Amada location, and ongoing industry-leading performance.  

In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Hall, a dedicated franchise owner of Amada Senior Care serving the Elgen, Illinois, area. Kevin’s journey into senior care is deeply personal, rooted in his childhood experiences with family, and coming full circle later in life. Kevin shares how his path eventually led him from the corporate world to a purpose-driven business that honors the legacy of his first best friend and great-grandmother.

Kevin’s background is a fascinating blend of technical expertise and high-level sales. Despite starting with an IT degree and an early care...

In this episode of the Amada Senior Care Podcast, Marcos Moura sits down with Gwen Smith, co-owner of Amada Senior Care in Charlotte and Lake Norman, North Carolina, for a candid conversation about business ownership, leadership, marriage, faith, and the heart behind serving seniors and their families.

Gwen’s journey is more than a story about opening a senior care business. It is a real look at what happens when a husband and wife step into entrepreneurship together, lean into their complementary strengths, and build something meaningful in a space where trust, compassion, and consistency matter every da...

In this very relatable episode of the We Are Amada podcast, Marcos has a conversation with a partner who made the tough decision to make the change from the familiar but unfulfilling world of corporate America. Matt Ushler, owner of Amada Senior Care in Montgomery and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, did what so many of us only dream of doing. 

After a decorated career in medical sales, Matt found himself burned out from corporate takeovers and constant instability. Just days after getting engaged, and with plans to move into a new home on the horizon, b...

In this episode of the We Are Amada podcast we have the pleasure of Amada Co-Founder and Owner, Tafa Jefferson, guest hosting a fantastic conversation with Amada superstar, Jon Thomas. Jon serves on the executive team as the Director of National Accounts at the corporate headquarters, and dedicates his extensive experience in long-term care and background in financial planning and insurance to elevating Amada’s industry-wide impact. Jon brings a wealth of expertise to an in depth discussion about how Amada is leading the charge when it comes to innovating and evolving to meet the needs of an aging po...

In this episode, we sit down for a long-awaited conversation with the owner of Amada San Antonio, TX, John Paschal, to talk about the transition from the corporate grind to the deeply personal world of senior care. The discussion explores the emotional and operational challenges of starting a franchise, the importance of "burning the boats" to ensure success, and the unique fulfillment that comes from serving the "proudest generation" during their most vulnerable moments.

Before entering the senior care industry nearly 10 years ago, John spent over 30 years in consumer electronics retail, including 15 years as...

In this episode, April and Jason Yun, the proud owners of Amada Senior Care in Greater Fremont, CA, are interviewed by Marcos from the annual Amada conference. This amazing husband and wife partnership share their unique journey from backgrounds in sound design and corporate finance to becoming dedicated advocates for senior care. 

This discussion shares some fascinating motivations that inspired them to enter the senior care industry, and why they are so very committed to the mission of providing compassionate care and support to seniors and families in their community.

In this episode of the We Are Amada podcast, we had the great pleasure of sitting down with the insightful and charismatic Amada VP of Training and Support, Matt Smith! Before joining Amada, Matt’s professional career took the jump from sales to the senior care industry, where he found his fierce and lasting passion for helping franchise partners provide the best care possible to those who need it most. 

Matt’s passion and heart for serving others is infectious, you don’t want to miss this episode!

During this co...

In this episode of We Are Amada, we sit down with Charleston, South Carolina owner Don Pratt for a candid, nuts-and-bolts conversation about what it really takes to build a home care business with staying power. With a unique professional background (you'll have to listen to find out!), Don was faced with a decision later in his career; keep going in the same industry, or make a jump into an entirely unknown industry with a business model well outside of his comfort zone. 

Don shares what ultimately influenced his decision to make the leap, a...

In this episode of the "We Are Amada" podcast, Marcos speaks with Luis Vasquez, the proud owner of Amada Senior Care Coral Gables, FL. Luis is a serial entrepreneur with an engineering background who brings a range of experience from a variety of jobs and businesses. Most importantly, he brings his obvious passion for care and improving the quality of life of seniors to this conversation.

Luis discusses the road that led him to Amada, sharing his difficult experience with dementia and close family, something that deeply influenced his desire to find a future...

In this episode of the We Are Amada Podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with return guest, Ken Jenson! Operating out of Colorado Springs, CO, Ken was one of the first Amada franchisees to start providing care in the U.S. 

With so much experience under his belt, Ken has a uniquely informed perspective on the trends that have occurred within the senior care industry, and the improvements Amada Senior Care has added to its business model.

In this episode, Marcos and Ken talk about:

In this episode of the We Are Amada Podcast, we sit down with Correy Web of Sacramento North during the annual Amada conference for a fascinating conversation. Every partnership has a unique heartbeat, but Correy’s story is special: he’s navigating the complexities of business ownership alongside his best friend and business partner, Joel Wilson.

Together, they’ve refined a working dynamic that balances personal trust with professional excellence. Correy and Marcos take a deep dive into the massive impact an Amada owner can have on not only the seniors they serve, but on the local workfo...

In this episode of the We Are Amada podcast, we sit down with long time partner and owner from NorthShore, Illinois, Jenny Novy, to talk about the evolution of senior care and her many experiences with Amada! With a masters degree in gerontology and another in therapeutic recreation, Jenny provides a uniquely educated viewpoint on the industry she has contributed so much to.

We discuss: 

In this episode of the We Are Amada podcast, we are joined by one of Amada’s very own; Vice President of Healthcare Strategies, Heidi Maddocks! We cover a range of topics in this episode and provide some insight into the inner workings and strategies that drive Amada’s ever evolving support programs and systems. 

We talk about: 

In this episode of the We Are Amada podcast, we sit down with the power duo, Greg Hines and Kevin Manuel, to discuss how ‘starting with compassion’ laid the foundation for their Amada legacy! Each bringing their own unique skill-set to the operational side of things, it’s no wonder why their approach to building a lasting network of referral sources resulted in such a degree of ongoing success and growth. 

These like-minded entrepreneurs turned a close friendship into a powerful partnership under the Amada umbrella, and show no signs of slowing down. When meeting...

In this special episode of the We Are Amada podcast, Amada Co-Founder, Tafa Jefferson, sits down with a very special guest and Veteran, Jim Hornbuckle, for a conversation that spans decades and provides insights into both sides of the caregiving formula. 

As someone on service with Amada Senior Care, Jim speaks from personal experience about home care as both a Veteran and someone who utilizes Long Term Care Insurance. He also shares his intimate experience with a spouse in need of care and the many lessons he would have wanted to have learned much e...

Like so many of us do, Amada owner, Halie Moore, had a professional roadmap carefully laid out. And, just like so many of us have experienced, that roadmap was quickly discarded due to a multitude of unforeseen obstacles and challenges. 

Instead, Halie unexpectedly found out her accounting major was not going to be a part of her future as she had planned on. After an abrupt change of course, she found her groove in medical equipment sales, which introduced her to the joys of providing solutions for the senior community. This joy led to a...

It’s been awhile, but we had the chance to sit down with Amada Senior Care Co-Founder, Tafa Jefferson, in the most recent episode of the We Are Amada podcast! From how Amada got its start, to how the industry has evolved over the years, Tafa shares his insights into how Amada has weathered economic extremes, as well as where the passion continues to come from.  

In this very special episode, we also discussed:

Many of us have been faced with a career crossroads. These moments of decision can happen for a range of reasons; being unfulfilled, not being a good fit, or an industry faces turmoil. These planned and unplanned moments often represent an opportunity to stay the course with the profession and industry you know, or to take the jump into something new and unknown. 

A crossroads is what started Michelle Reed, owner of Amada Pembroke Pines, FL, on her path toward ownership in the senior care industry. 

In this fascinating ep...

When someone finds a genuine passion in the work they do, it's a joy to listen to them discuss their motivation, their insights, and their impact. 

In our newest episode of the We Are Amada podcast, we talk with Amada owner, Sean McLeod, as he shares his personal connection with the veteran care and the expertise he brings to the table for those in the Denton and Frisco, TX area. 

Here’s what you’ll hear in the episode:

In this episode of We Are Amada, Marcos Moura sits down with Jack and Mark Standring, part of the family unit that owns and operates Amada Swedesboro, NJ. With multiple generations at the wheel, the Standrings have many insights to share about running a senior care business with family members, the entrepreneurial approach they took to Amada, and what keeps them driven. 

Attending their first annual Amada Conference, we had a chance to mark the occasion by recording this entertaining episode that shouldn't be missed!  

Topics / Key Takeaways:

 In this episode of We Are Amada, Marcos Moura sits down with Tracy Eidson, one of Amada’s earliest franchise partners who now leads thriving offices in both Rocky Mount and Raleigh, North Carolina. Tracy came from the world of IT, not healthcare, but after a chance encounter at a franchise expo, she took a leap of faith. Ten years later, she’s built a deeply personal business — one that now includes her son Finley as her partner. 

Tracy shares what it was like to launch in a small town, build trust from the ground up, and grow thr...

In this episode of We Are Amada, Marcos Moura talks with a fellow franchise partner who made the bold leap from a stable sales career into the unpredictable (and deeply rewarding) world of senior care.
 

Kevin shares the lessons he’s learned from building a business rooted in compassion, consistency, and communication. From navigating emergencies and supporting families, to competing in a saturated market, this conversation offers valuable insight for anyone considering a career shift into a mission-driven business. 

Key Highlights:

In today’s episode, Marcos Moura sits down with Greg Johnson, owner of Amada Senior Care in Oklahoma City. From surviving tornadoes to surviving career pivots, Greg’s story is all about grit, humility, and leading with heart. After years in medical sales, he realized it was time for something more meaningful, which led him to Amada. 

Greg shares what it was like to leave behind a familiar path, embrace the challenges of franchising, and build trust in a deeply personal industry. This conversation goes beyond business—it’s about reinvention, relationships, and finding meaning through service. 

<...

In today’s episode, Marcos Moura sits down with Matt Ushler, owner of Amada Senior Care in Montgomery and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
After a decorated career in medical sales, Matt found himself burned out from corporate takeovers and constant instability. Just days after getting engaged, both he and his wife were laid off, and that turning point led him to launch a senior care business in the middle of a pandemic, just weeks after moving into a new home. 

Matt shares how betting on himself paid off, and how Amada’s approach to long-term care insur...

In today’s episode, Marcos Moura sits down with Kelli Staab and Cesar Pumariega, owners of Amada Senior Care in The Villages, Florida. 

Kelli and Cesar share their incredible story of launching their senior care business during one of the most difficult times imaginable — the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns in place and families afraid to let anyone into their homes, they faced challenges that would have made most people quit. But through grit, passion, and a mission-driven mindset, they pushed through. 

They discuss the emotional highs and lows of working in senior care...

In this episode of the Amada Senior Care Podcast, Marcos Moura sits down with Gwen Smith, co-owner of Amada Senior Care in Charlotte and Lake Norman, North Carolina.

Gwen opens up about what it’s really like running a senior care business with her husband, Brad, and how their marriage, shared faith, and complementary strengths have helped them grow a thriving operation. She shares honest insights about the early challenges, the realities of leadership in healthcare, and what it takes to build lasting relationships in your community.

Key highlights:
● What it’s like...

In this episode of the Amada Senior Care Podcast, Marcos Moura sits down with James
Bernoski, owner of Amada Senior Care Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky.

James shares his inspiring journey from working as a paramedic and nurse to becoming
a successful home care business owner. Learn how he transitioned during the
uncertainty of COVID, scaled his business using digital marketing, and built a
passionate team while maintaining personal connections with both clients and
caregivers.

Key highlights:
● Why more businesses are born in uncertain times
● Challenges of launching a seco...

Today's episode continues the conversation with Kimberly Akers, Owner and CEO of Amada Senior Care in Mesa, Arizona.

Kimberly and her business partner Kris were among the first women to own an Amada Senior Care franchise - which is a challenge in its own right. Kimberly notes that many women-owned businesses struggle to survive their first year or reach significant revenue goals. Despite these odds, Kimberly and Chris have run a successful Amada franchise for nearly a decade.

When asked about their secret to success, Kimberly speaks of the fact that you can’t...

Today’s episode continues the conversation with Jonathan and Cherie Burrough, owners of Amada Senior Care San Diego North.

In the previous part of this interview, Jonathan mentioned that 98% of their referral sources happen to be women, which is due to the fact that most of those who have a network of elders are current or ex social workers, case managers and nurses. This makes selling home care a very difficult task for those who have an “executive presence” and are used to selling ROI-driven solutions to businesspeople, as the sales process is completely different when you’re tryin...

Today’s episode welcomes Kimberly Akers, Owner and CEO of Amada Senior Care in Mesa, Arizona. 

In 2015, Kimberly opened up the 38th Amada Senior Care franchise with her business partner and longtime friend Kris Patmos. When asked about her thoughts back when she began her Amada journey, Kimberly recalls feeling like a maverick - taking on a new challenge that hasn’t been established to the point where success is a guarantee. While the idea of franchising into a newer business model is scary to some, Kimberly saw the potential in the business model and welcomed the chall...

Today’s episode welcomes Jonathan and Cherie Burrough, owners of Amada Senior Care San Diego North.

Jonathan and Cherie have been in the senior care space since 2008 - 4 years before Amada Senior Care franchises even existed. Jonathan had met the founders Tafa Jefferson and Chad Fotheringham through coaching football years ago. When Jonathan was making a career transition he met up with them and they proposed the idea of joining Amada Home Care - to which he said yes.

Back then Tafa and Chad wanted to open up a facility in San Diego, but the lo...

Welcome back to We are Amada!

After a short break, we have returned to bring you more interviews with We are Amada franchisees, partners and team members.

Back in 2012 when we had just started franchising, there were two franchise partners that were 
crazy enough to take our business model and create their own version of Amada Senior Care.

Fast forward, we’ve grown to over 200 locations across the United States - and we are incredibly proud of all the entrepreneurs that have created the Amada Senior Care ecosystem. 

It’s time f...