Owner Had to Overcome Auto-No-Fault Law Change, Pandemic & Difficult Economic Conditions
East Lansing, Mich. – Chris Miller was working in his family manufacturing business when he realized he wanted to make a change and do something more people orientated and to help others. In October 2015, Miller got into the home care business as a franchise owner of BrightStar Care Home Care.
Miller opened his first BrightStar Care office in East Lansing. Today, he has four territories and owns and operates four offices in Michigan. Miller was named the 2022 BrightStar Care Franchisee of the year. “It’s a significant honor for my franchise and team,” said Miller. “I’m proud of this accomplishment. I’m thankful to have such a dedicated team and do something so meaningful by helping people stay home and receive care.”
Miller was recognized for his diligence and strength in his community for standing up for the preservation of home care services in his home state. Miller said he has learned that nothing is guaranteed.
“Who would have thought the past few years would be so challenging due to the change in the Michigan Auto Insurance Reform Law, the COVID-19 pandemic and difficult economic conditions including inflation and staffing,” acknowledged Miller. “When the Michigan Legislature cut home care benefits by 45 percent in the middle of a tight labor market and inflation, I lost a large chunk of my business. I didn’t realize that I would spend so much time in the state capitol advocating for the restoration of the home care cuts but it has become very personal to me. My time in Lansing was not only important for my business but more importantly for my clients and their families. People want to stay home and receive care with their loved ones around them, they don’t want to be institutionalized and move away from home.”
Miller has other BrightStar Care locations in Ann Arbor, Brighton/Howell and Novi. Miller said with the tight labor market, he has been able to retain team members by leading by example.
“I’m willing to do anything that I expect my team members to do such as helping with scheduling in the office, sitting with a client in their own home, or even taking late night phone calls from staff and clients. Rather than use the word manage, we use leading, coaching and supporting. Sometimes team members have difficulty getting to work and we do what we can to get them to their shifts, I’ve been known to snow blow driveways and drive team members to and from work as well as my office team. Through COVID especially, we paid for many staff members to get to work by using Uber to get them to their shifts. Our caregivers need to work, and our clients need the caregivers to do their activities of daily living, so it is important that we help support our staff in taking care of our clients.
The award ceremonies held in October 2022 included nineteen different award categories. These franchisees each demonstrate what a high standard of care means, with the attentive, compassionate treatment their clients receive hand-in-hand with their business savvy and talent for expansion. These award winners were selected by the franchise support team at BrightStar Care, who have closely observed the many achievements of BrightStar Care franchisees all over the nation.
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