Business Growth Spotlight
Welcome to Business Growth Spotlight, the podcast where we shine a light on innovative business leaders, cutting-edge strategies, and the latest trends shaping the world of business growth. Whether you're a corporate leader, entrepreneur, or online educator, this podcast delivers actionable insights and expert conversations to help you scale your business, increase revenue, and stay ahead in a competitive market.
Join host Heidi Schalk as we dive deep into the stories and strategies of industry leaders, uncovering the tools and tactics they use to drive success. From navigating corporate challenges to mastering online visibility, this podcast is your go-to resource for scaling your business and reaching your goals.
Tune in weekly for inspiring conversations, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.
Business Growth Spotlight
Ep. 155 Building a Care Driven Business Model That Actually Scales
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Show Notes:
In this episode of the Business Growth Spotlight, Heidi Schalk sits down with Daniel Story, founder of HomeJoy of Kalamazoo, to unpack what it really takes to build and scale a care based business without sacrificing quality, trust, or humanity.
Daniel shares how his 30 year career as a registered nurse shaped the way he built Homejoy and why caring has always come before systems, safety checklists, or scale. From starting the business with fifty dollars and a PO box to leading more than one hundred employees across multiple locations, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the operational realities of home care and service based businesses.
You will hear how Daniel navigated economic downturns, near business failure, and capacity challenges by leaning into mentorship, systems, and core values. He explains why communication breakdowns are the most expensive mistakes businesses make, how technology and automation support growth, and why culture is the only way to scale people-led organizations.
Daniel also shares what has not worked, including referral middlemen and misaligned marketing spend, and why deep community relationships continue to be Homejoy’s strongest growth driver.
The conversation closes with a look at what is next for Homejoy, including the expansion into professional housekeeping services and Daniel’s upcoming book on compassion, conflict, and leadership in healthcare.
This episode is a must listen for founders, operators, and service based business owners who are growing fast and want to do it the right way.
Bio:
Daniel Story has been the CEO of HomeJoy of Kalamazoo for over 20 years. HomeJoy has bought out two competitors, received Best of Care awards for employment and for client care, it has been on the Inc 5000 list, a Michigan 50 company to watch list, and has had other local awards. Outside of running HomeJoy Daniel has been the owner of a Property Management company and has established and later sold an assisted living and a non-profit organization serving the needs of persons with dementia. He is currently writing a book which is aimed at helping the healthcare industry deal with difficult behaviors which our patients often demonstrate during their engagement with our services.
To connect with our guest, click on the links below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-story-362a921a/
Website: HomeJoy.care
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/