In this episode of The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, host Charlie Cameron sits down with Rowena Arnott, an inspiring entrepreneur from Billings, Montana, who transitioned from being a registered nurse to owning a home care agency and an eight-bed residential assisted living facility. Rowena shares her unique journey into the senior care industry, the challenges she faced, and her exciting plans for a 16-unit memory care facility. Her story is a testament to taking risks, finding purpose, and building a business centered on serving seniors with compassion and care.

Tune in as Rowena explains how she and her husband leveraged their backgrounds, navigated financing, and built a sustainable business that not only provides excellent care but also aligns with their family goals.

Key Points:

• From Nurse to Business Owner: How Rowena transitioned from her nursing career in California to owning a home care agency and assisted living facility in Montana.
• Buying an Assisted Living Facility: The story behind purchasing a 7,000-square-foot property and converting it into an eight-bed assisted living home.
• Overcoming Staffing Challenges: Rowena’s innovative approaches to hiring, including using a third-party service for recruiting and having on-call caregivers.
• Filling Beds & Building Relationships: Her strategies for keeping her homes full, including collaborating with other facility owners, marketing to hospitals and hospice agencies, and leveraging her home care agency for continuity of care.
• Building for the Future: Plans for a 16-unit memory care facility and the growing demand for specialized senior care.
• Lessons Learned: Rowena’s advice for new operators, including the importance of networking, mentorship, and taking action without overthinking.

Connect with Rowena Arnott:
Website

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In this episode of The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, host Dr. Alex Schloe welcomes Latonia Boykins, a passionate entrepreneur and owner of five residential assisted living homes in Florida. Latonia shares her incredible journey from starting with no healthcare background to becoming a leader in the industry. Inspired by her grandmother’s care and wisdom, Latonia has built a thriving business focused on compassionate, personalized care.

Tune in as Latonia discusses the challenges, triumphs, and strategies she’s implemented to scale her business, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how residential assisted living has transformed her life and the lives of her residents.

Key Points:

• From Family Caregiver to Industry Leader: Latonia’s journey started with a personal mission to honor her grandmother’s legacy, eventually scaling to five homes.
• Building with Heart: She emphasizes the importance of hiring caregivers with genuine passion, often prioritizing heart over experience.
• Creative First Steps: Latonia’s first deal was a leap of faith, using HELOCs and credit cards to turn a house into a thriving facility.
• Scaling to Success: The challenges and opportunities that came with purchasing three homes in a single day and navigating SBA loans.
• Occupancy Strategies: How Latonia uses creative marketing, relationship-building with discharge planners, and outreach to big-box facilities to keep her homes full.
• Lessons Learned: The importance of starting where you are, avoiding analysis paralysis, and being open to learning from mistakes.
• Passion for Teaching: Now a Florida Core Trainer, Latonia shares her knowledge with others, helping them launch successful assisted living businesses.
• The Heart of RAL: Latonia reflects on how residential assisted living has changed her life and the lives of her residents, teaching lessons about resilience, health, and community.

Connect with Latonia Boykins:
TikTok
Website

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In this episode of The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, host Charlie Cameron is joined by Kimberly Rodriguez, founder of Action Over Words Group. Kimberly brings a wealth of experience as a former state inspector for Virginia, overseeing adult care facilities for over a decade, and as the operator of 14 assisted living communities with her family. Now, she channels her passion for human services into consulting, helping new and seasoned operators navigate the complexities of residential assisted living in 13 states.

Tune in as Kimberly shares her incredible journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and actionable strategies for success in the growing assisted living industry.

Key Points

From Family Business to Industry Leader: Kimberly explains how growing up in a family of healthcare professionals and real estate investors sparked her passion for senior care and set the foundation for her career.

Insights from a State Inspector: She offers a unique perspective on compliance, shares the common pitfalls operators face, and explains how to advocate for yourself during inspections.

Starting Strong: Kimberly stresses the importance of due diligence when selecting properties, working with zoning and fire safety officials, and creating a strong business plan.

Effective Marketing Strategies: From hosting community events to building referral networks with social workers and placement agents, Kimberly shares her top tips for staying full and creating a positive reputation.

The Value of Relationships: Kimberly discusses why relationships matter in securing properties, attracting investors, and building trust with referral partners.

Trends in Assisted Living: She highlights the growing popularity of the 16-bed model and the increasing demand for community-centered care options.

Advice for Aspiring Operators: Kimberly urges new operators to take action, break large goals into small, actionable steps, and focus on marketing and relationship-building to succeed.

Connect with Kimberly Rodriguez:
Website
LinkedIn

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