As a registered nurse, Angela Olea saw firsthand the pain and struggle as patients transitioned to senior living. She witnessed aging patients with unnecessary hospital readmissions. She was well aware of the lack of community support. The solution, she knew, was more complex than simply moving the population of aging seniors into the nearest facility.
In response, she launched the nation’s first senior placement and referral franchise. Assisted Living Locators provides nationwide senior care placement and referral services for in-home companion care, independent retirement options, assisted living, memory care and nursing facilities.
Since its inception in 2003, the company has grown to 140 franchises in 36 states plus Washington, D.C.
“In the next five years, Assisted Living Locators will continue to focus on building our national presence by expanding franchise locations while providing a comprehensive training and mentorship platform that ensures our franchisees success,” Olea said. “Our continued growth will allow us to help even more families find the right care solutions for their loved ones.”
Assisted Living Locators has been included in Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises Report, Top Senior Care Franchises (multiple years, 2017-2020) and Franchise Dictionary’s Top 100 Game Changers (four consecutive years, 2018-2021). The company has also been listed in the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies (2019-2021).
Olea has been honored with numerous awards, including AZ Business Magazine’s Visionary Award, AZ Most Influential Women 2019, and AZ Most Admired Business Leaders 2021; Franchise Dictionary’s Women of Wonder Award 2019-2020; and Franchise Journal Magazine The Women of Franchising Award 2020.
“As a female pioneer with experience in numerous business ownership roles, she motivates, mentors and encourages women to embark on the franchising journey,” her staff said. “Angela utilizes social media, print media, podcasts, video, and speaking engagements to tell her story and help women entrepreneurs achieve business ownership.”
Building her business from an idea into a nationwide industry leader has required immense focus and sacrifice, Olea said.
“The most important leadership lesson I’ve learned is that you need teeth-gritting tenacity that won’t quit. Be the person who never gives up — who never accepts ‘no’ for an answer,” she said. “You, as the executive, do whatever it takes to get things done and make your business work. This often involves putting in long hours, making personal sacrifices, changing directions and keeping costs down. You can have great ideas, but putting them into action no matter what the odds is what makes a successful venture. Tenacity is the trait that means the difference between success and failure and ultimately builds a strong company.”
