Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Rankine.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I didn’t start out in home care at all. At the time, I was finishing my PhD and working with the United States Olympic Committee as a high-performance director very focused on research, strategy, and performance.
Then life happened. My brother was in a serious car accident and became paralyzed. A hospital social worker recommended home care, and I realized I knew almost nothing about what support at home actually looked like. I started researching, and on a Southwest flight I saw a Right at Home ad in the flight magazine. That moment turned into a deep dive what home care is, what quality looks like, and what kind of support families really need when they’re overwhelmed and trying to figure things out.
I ultimately purchased a resale territory in Lewisville, Texas, and I’ll be honest the start was fast-paced with a steep learning curve. Compliance, staffing, learning the clients, building trust in the community it was a lot. The first year was largely about figuring out how I wanted to run the business, because every market is different and you can’t copy-paste someone else’s playbook. I had to learn my community, do my own research, and build a niche that fit the needs around me.
Over time, I discovered my strengths. I originally thought I’d be more operations-focused, but I realized I truly enjoyed the marketing side meeting people, telling the story, building relationships, and being a resource. I went from working around the clock in the early days to building a team and learning how to delegate. Today, I’m able to focus on big-picture growth, community partnerships, and creating a strong workplace for caregivers because when caregivers are supported, clients receive better care.
Now, I’ve grown to three territories in Texas, and I feel incredibly grateful for the journey. What keeps me grounded is remembering why I started: families need help navigating challenging seasons, and having the right support at home changes everything. That’s what brought me here, and that’s what still drives me today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road especially in the early years.
One of my biggest challenges was the learning curve. I purchased a resale territory, so I stepped into something that was already moving fast. I had to learn compliance, documentation, and operations while also building trust with clients and caregivers right away.
Staffing was another major struggle. In home care, caregivers are the core of your service, so it requires constant effort to recruit the right individuals, train them effectively, and retain them. When staffing is tight, everything feels it: scheduling, consistency for clients, and even team morale.
I also had to grow into the marketing and sales side. I didn’t come from a sales background, so learning how to consistently build relationships in the community, communicate our value, and stay patient while results built over time was a real stretch for me.
And then there’s the emotional side. You’re supporting families during some of the hardest seasons of their lives. That responsibility can be heavy, and there were definitely days when it felt like a lot.
But those challenges pushed me to build better systems, find the right team, and learn how to delegate so the business could grow in a healthy, sustainable way.
As you know, we’re big fans of Right at Home. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business is Right at Home. We’re a home care agency serving families across our territories in North Texas, and our mission is simple: help people live safely and comfortably at home where they want to be.
What we do is provide non-medical in-home support, but the way we deliver it is what sets us apart. We support seniors and adults with disabilities or chronic conditions with services like personal care, companion care, respite support for family caregivers, dementia and Alzheimer’s support, and help with daily routines like bathing, grooming, meals, medication reminders, mobility assistance, and transportation to appointments.
What we’re known for is reliability, strong caregiver support, and relationship-based care. We don’t treat home care like hours on a schedule. We treat it like a plan built around the client’s needs, personality, and safety. Families feel the difference when they can trust that the care is consistent, communication is clear, and the team is proactive.
What sets us apart:
1. Caregiver-first culture. We focus heavily on building a workplace where caregivers feel supported, trained, and valued because that’s how clients receive better care.
2. High standards and compliance. We take documentation, safety, and quality seriously, and we build systems that protect clients and families.
3. Community connection. We’re involved locally, we educate families, and we aim to be a trusted resource not just a service provider.
4. Dementia support mindset. We don’t just sit with clients we coach routines, reduce stress in the home, and help caregivers understand how to communicate and create calm.
5. Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is trust. When families call us, it’s usually during a stressful moment. I’m proud that our name represents stability, compassion, and professionalism and that we’ve built a team that takes that responsibility seriously.
What I want readers to know is: home care isn’t only about aging; it’s about quality of life. We’re here to help families navigate change, keep loved ones safe, and create a plan that makes life at home feel manageable again.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
If I had to choose one, it’s resilience paired with patience.
Building and growing a home care business means every day can look different. You’re managing people, compliance, client needs, and real-life family situations, and not everything goes according to plan. Being able to stay steady, adjust quickly, and keep moving forward even on hard days has been critical.
Patience matters too, because relationships and reputations take time to build. Consistency over time is what creates trust in the community, trust with caregivers, and trust with families and that trust is the foundation of our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rightathome.net/collin-denton
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightathomelewisville/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RightatHomeLewisville
