On a recent episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, hosts spotlighted Rachel Wommack, a franchisee of A Place At Home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rachel’s story is one of resilience, family inspiration, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.
From Nurse to Entrepreneur
Rachel’s path began in Gallup, New Mexico, where she grew up and started her career in health care. After earning her degree in 2007, she worked with the Indian Health Service before transitioning into skilled nursing and long-term care. Rising to a regional leadership role with Genesis, Rachel saw firsthand the gaps in elder care. Patients were often sent home without the extra support they needed to thrive.
Encouraged by her husband, she decided to take a leap and open her own agency. Rather than building everything from scratch, she turned to franchising, ultimately choosing A Place At Home. She was drawn to their alignment of values and the strong support system that gave her confidence to begin her entrepreneurial journey.
Challenges and Growth
While her nursing expertise made caregiving natural, Rachel faced a steep learning curve on the business side. Payroll, accounting, and back-office management were foreign to her, but with guidance from the A Place At Home franchise team, she gained the skills to balance both caregiving and business ownership.
Opening in the middle of COVID-19 added extra hurdles—networking was difficult, and building community relationships took patience. Yet Rachel persevered, leaning on her persistence and her team’s commitment to compassionate care. Today, her office is a trusted resource in Albuquerque, known for answering the call when families need help most.
Inspired by Family
Rachel’s grandmother, a nurse herself, had a profound influence on her life. She modeled strength, joy, and selflessness, showing Rachel that it was possible to balance career, family, and service to others. That example continues to guide Rachel’s leadership and her belief that caregiving is more than a business—it’s a calling.
She works closely with her care coordinator and staff to cultivate a culture of empathy, compassion, and responsiveness. Whether supporting someone for just a few weeks after surgery or providing long-term assistance, Rachel ensures her team approaches each client with dignity and kindness.
Building a Legacy
Rachel’s goal is simple but profound: to be remembered as a better employer, a better provider, and someone who worked tirelessly for the sake of others. She acknowledges that entrepreneurship is hard, but insists it’s worth it—especially when fueled by persistence, family support, and passion for the work.
As she put it, “Not everything will go the way you want, and not everyone has to like you. But if you keep fighting and surround yourself with the right support system, it is worth it.”
Rachel’s journey with A Place At Home shows that true leadership blends compassion with grit. Her story is an inspiring reminder that business ownership, when driven by purpose, can transform lives—not only for clients but for families, employees, and communities.
✨ Learn more about A Place At Home at aplaceathome.com.