Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Valadez.
Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My path to business ownership was not something I planned, but it was something I felt called to step into. Last year, my position was eliminated, and it quickly became clear that returning to a similar corporate role was not the right next step for me. I had spent more than 20 years working across recruiting, workforce development, nonprofit leadership, diversity and inclusion, and coaching. While that work shaped me professionally, I knew I wanted something different moving forward.
For the first time, I seriously explored small business ownership. I reached out to a franchise broker I have known and trusted for over a decade to begin the process. I am not a natural risk taker, so this decision felt both unfamiliar and deeply intentional. As I evaluated several opportunities, there was a clear sense of peace and confidence when I discovered Assisted Living Locators.
What drew me to this business was not just the model, but the mission. It aligned with the values I wanted to prioritize at this stage of my life and career: family, work-life flexibility, community service, meaningful connection, and work that truly makes a difference. Throughout the due diligence process, conversations with existing owners further solidified my decision. I wanted to build something of my own, but I did not want to do it alone.
Here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I have been fortunate to learn from and be mentored by a strong community of owners who have been in the business for nearly a decade. Combined with a founder who started the company more than 22 years ago, I knew I was stepping into a proven and supportive organization. What began as an unexpected career pivot has become purposeful work I am proud to do every day, serving families during some of the most important moments of their lives.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been one heck of a roller coaster. My life and career have been marked by many pivots and reinventions. During a time when I was at what was once the height of my career, I went through divorce which made me question my self identify and worth. I ended up putting in my notice to resign and took another job thinking it would be a quick fix. I was wrong. I began to do the work to heal and get better. It was hard. Everything I knew about myself shifted. I could not be where I am today without the love and support of my family – my kids, my parents and my sister. Having a rock solid support system helped me tremendously.
As a single mom, I didn’t want money to ever be something I had to worry about. I didn’t have a second salary to rely on. I ended up taking a corporate role and stashed away every dollar I could and found a financial advisor who could help me finally get smart with my money.
Someone smart once told me that everyone in the workforce will be hired, fired and acquired at one point or another. I’ve experienced each one. Life and career transitions are hard. It forces you to look inward to really reflect on what needs to change in order to move forward.
We’ve been impressed with Assisted Living Locators of Flower Mound and Surrounding Denton County Area, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My heart has always been in serving older adults and their families, and this work is deeply personal to me. I am part of the sandwich generation, currently navigating this life stage alongside so many families I serve. I chose this path because I wanted to be better prepared for my own family and for the people in my circles who were suddenly facing incredibly stressful, emotional decisions around aging, care, and housing.
Before becoming a Senior Care Advisor, I helped serve as a caregiver alongside my parents and sister to my grandparents. Experiencing that journey firsthand gave me a deep understanding of how overwhelming it can be. You are often making decisions under pressure, while balancing careers, children, and emotions that come with watching someone you love change. That experience shaped how I show up for families today, with empathy, patience, and a clear understanding that this is never just a transaction. It is a deeply human moment.
I am the Owner and Senior Care Advisor with Assisted Living Locators, where I guide adult children and their parents through the process of finding the best living solutions based on care needs, preferences, and budget. I specialize in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and residential care homes. There is no cost for families to work with me. My services are compensated by the community they ultimately choose, which allows families to receive trusted guidance without additional financial burden.
What sets my work apart is the time I spend listening and personalizing every step of the process. There is no one size fits all approach. I work on my clients’ timeline, not mine. Families are often overwhelmed by the number of options and the weight of the decisions in front of them. My role is to simplify the process, ask the questions they may not know to ask, and walk alongside them so they never feel alone.
Beyond placement, I serve as a resource to a trusted network of professionals including realtors who specialize in senior moves, home care, home health, hospice, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. I tour communities before recommending them, schedule and attend tours, and serve as the primary point of contact to manage logistics and communication. This allows families to focus on their loved one rather than the paperwork and coordination.
Brand wise, I am most proud of the trust families place in me. I value transparency, communicate early and often, and treat every referral with the care it deserves. Assisted Living Locators was founded twenty two years ago by a nurse who recognized the need for compassionate, informed guidance during this stage of life. Today, it remains a trusted advisor to thousands of families across the country. I am honored to carry that mission forward in North Texas by serving families with heart, advocacy, and lived experience.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, my word of the year is nurture, and that intention is shaping every part of my plans for the future. In 2026, I anticipate growing both my team and my footprint in a thoughtful, values-driven way. For me, growth is not just about expansion. It is about nurturing relationships, developing people, and building systems that support families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
As I continue to deepen relationships across the senior care industry and the North Texas community, I look forward to serving on nonprofit boards including the American Red Cross North Texas Advisory Board and North Texas LEAD’s Advisory Board, where I can contribute both my time and professional expertise. Community service has always been a priority for me, and I plan to remain actively involved through organizations that support older adults and caregivers, including my current volunteer role with Metrocrest Services.
Professionally, my goal is to serve at least 50 families in 2026 while expanding my efforts to educate the community about the realities and costs of senior care. I am passionate about helping families understand their options earlier so they can plan with confidence rather than react in crisis. Education, advocacy, and awareness will continue to be central to my work.
I am most looking forward to building something sustainable that supports families, professionals, and future advisors who share the same heart for service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flower-mound.assistedlivinglocators.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/all.flowermound/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALLFlowerMound/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanievaladez/
- Other: https://share.google/rcNqz1z7CK3AopqA1
