We are Amada

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, both he and his wife were hit with unexpected layoffs. This unfortunate timing, combined with an uncertain future ahead, became a professional turning point for Matt. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• Starting a senior care business in the middle of a pandemic

• The moment Matt knew corporate life was no longer for him 

• Just why layoffs pushed him toward entrepreneurship

• The satisfaction of guiding families toward uncovering benefits

• Why the real challenge in home care is staffing, not clients

• How he focused on building a culture that retains caregivers while fostering growth 

• What’s planned next now that his business is growing so quickly

Matt shares how betting on himself paid off both professionally and personally, and how Amada’s approach to long-term care insurance, VA advocacy, and caregiver-first culture set his business apart. From helping families uncover hidden benefits, to doubling revenue through trust and service, and why bad professional news isn’t always so bad, Matt’s journey is proof that it is in fact possible for purpose and profit to go hand in hand. 

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 population.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The Silver Tsunami (the impact of the Baby Boomer generation)
• Identifying the Critical Gaps in a Broken Healthcare System
• Finding Innovation in Funding
• Industry Firsts (groundbreaking direct partnerships home care & insurance)
• The Human Element in the Age of AI

This conversation provides insights into why it’s essential to stop viewing senior care as a limited non-medical service and start seeing it as a vital role in coordinating the future of healthcare. With the mindset of taking action before the storm arrives, there is an opportunity to lead the conversation, support our caregivers, and change the lives of families in every Amada community.

In a world where 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age every day, the "silver tsunami" is no longer a distant prediction. It’s a reality NOW. Listen in to discover why now, more than ever, there is a dramatic need for a "quarterback" in the broken healthcare system to help families navigate the complex care continuum. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a financial advisor, or someone considering a career change into a high-impact field, this episode reveals the unique opportunities found at the intersection of insurance, financial planning, and compassionate senior care.

Happy Listening!

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 a high-level leader for a Fortune 50 big-box retailer. Today, his business has grown into a true family venture, with his wife and sons serving their community with compassion and care.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• The Leap from Corporate to Franchise
• His Personal Experience with Senior Care and Unique Insight into the Need for Quality Caregiving 
• Striving to be the "Maserati of Home Care"
• The Challenges and Rewards of Building a Family Legacy
• Understanding and Serving the Scale of the Industry

This episode provides valuable insights into the reality of entrepreneurship, especially how to navigate the unknowns of the first few years of a new business. Whether you are a corporate professional considering a career change, or someone currently looking beyond the immediate care for an aging loved one, this episode offers a heartfelt look at how business acumen combined with genuine empathy can create a successful, fulfilling life's work.

Happy listening!

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.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Jumping from Sound Design to Senior Care 
• The Need to Improve Transitions from Hospital to Home Care 
• Firsthand Experience Navigating the Licensing Process
• Their Mission-Driven Approach to Sales
• The Power of Amada’s Training and Support

If you long to hear how transforming a personal passion into a meaningful career in senior care can be done, you can’t miss this episode with owners who so proudly reflect Amada’s values.  

Happy Listening!

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 conversation, we discuss:

• The Evolution of Home Care
• The Rising Costs of 24/7 Care
• The Population Shift
• Amada's Unique Approach to Funding Care
• Overcoming the "Dip" in Entrepreneurship
• Amada's Industry-Leading Training and Support System

This is the perfect episode for anyone who has been wanting to know how Amada supports its partners, as well as the kinds of training in store for every owner. Matt goes into great detail and shares his personal experience with other senior care providers, and just how much Amada stands out from the competition. 

Happy listening!

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, and we discuss what he’s learned so far, including his decision making process, how to keep momentum when things get messy, and how to use numbers as a guide instead of a source of stress.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Don approached ownership in the Charleston market and what helped him gain early traction
• The day-to-day operational realities of home care, and how to prioritize when everything feels urgent
• Which performance numbers matter most (and how to stop drowning in reports)
• Building a dependable team and culture while maintaining quality of care and service
• Practical lessons learned: what he’d do differently if starting again today, and what went well the first time around

If you’re an owner who needs to understand what story the numbers are telling and feel like the idea of starting from scratch is a daunting prospect, this is the episode for you. This extended episode packed full of information from an entrepreneur paving the road to success, one brick at a time.

Disclaimer: We’re here to share a real conversation and get to know the people who elevate the industry. We make no financial claims or guarantees about business results. Any mentions of past performance or personal financial history are simply individual experiences, and results vary. The information shared in this video is provided for general informational purposes and entertainment purposes and does not constitute financial, legal, or business advice. We make no representations, warranties, or guarantees regarding business performance, profitability, or earnings. Any discussion of personal financial background or business outcomes is shared as personal experience and may not be representative of others. The views and opinions expressed are those of the guests and speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Amada Senior Care.

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 with purpose. Although Luis is in the early stages of success, he provides a fresh insight into the initial stages of joining the Amada system. 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Positive experiences with the support and training he has received
• Attending his first annual conference
• The three Amada businesses of staffing, placements, and home health
• What an engineering background made easier, and more difficult
• And the contrast of Amada’s authenticity and honesty with franchise partners to other companies
• The unusual approach Amada takes by being upfront about the need for hard work and passion to be successful

We were very fortunate to hear from such an experienced entrepreneur who brings a genuine understanding of what it takes to build a successful business, who also recognizes when a company is doing things differently. From following a formula of success, to the value of support systems, to overcoming aspects of a business that prove to be most difficult, Luis was a guest we look forward to inviting back soon. Don’t miss out on this outstanding episode. 

Happy listening!

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:

• How Ken found Amada Senior Care, and why he ultimately chose to partner with us
• What is different about our Discovery Days vs. the competition
• His experiences starting his own home care business, and just what is a "Franchise in a Box"?
• The incredible impact of the Baby Boomers are having on the senior demographic
• Just why LTCi expertise is so essential when helping families locate funding

Ken has a wealth of knowledge to share, and we are so thankful to once more sit down with someone who embodies Amada’s values so consistently. Don’t miss out on this episode if you are looking to hear from an Amada owner who has been there from the beginning, and who still looks forward to many more years of providing life-changing care. 

Happy listening!

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 workforce and the Veteran community.

Key highlights from this conversation include:
-The Partnership Blueprint: What it’s really like to operate a business with your best friend.
-Strength Discovery: The process of identifying individual lanes to optimize operations.
-The Veteran Mission: Leveraging benefits expertise to support those who served.
-The Human Connection: Seeing the tangible "fruits of labor" when connecting with families.
-The Future of Care: From becoming Long-Term Care insurance specialists to integrating AI technology for superior client service.

Whether it’s mastering the placement process or scaling their local community impact, Correy shows us that the right partnership can change countless lives.

Happy listening!

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: 

• The start of the home care preference wave
• Her early and ongoing passion for seniors
• The reduction of resources in the aftermath of COVID
• Expenses and their steady rise
• The real Amada difference
• Combining her clinical experience with Amada’s business model
• And Jenny’s journey from aide to owner

This is the perfect episode to hear directly from an Amada owner about how she got her Amada location going, and how she went about growing into one of the biggest home care providers in the U.S. And if you’re musically inclined, make sure you stick around to the end! 

Happy listening!