Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Bolden.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2014, I made the decision to leave my current position as a director of a major hospital to temporarily return home to Chicago and support my father as his care journey took a new direction. During that visit, the desire to become an entrepreneur overpowered the fear that often held me back from taking the leap. The summer of 2014, I began my search for an existing business to purchase. After extensive research and utilizing the services of the local SBA office, I decided to purchase a Home Helpers franchise the Atlanta office. Our organization provides quality in-home care services to seniors and disabled adults. Over the next seven years, my team and I serviced many families across 20 zip codes in the Atlanta area, providing award-winning care and support to family caregivers.
We consistently received questions, calls for support and resources from our clients or those just seeking help in how to support themselves or a family member. It was my goal to provide resources and connections for all who reached out, leaving each caller with resources to improve their journey. We initially responded to these inquiries with one on one communication but I felt there was a better way to present this information to many in need in one location. The Atlanta Family Caregiver Expo was created and presented by my non-profit Call for Caring, Incorporated. Our first event occurred in 2017 and was well received by the community. We are preparing for our 4th expo in November 2023. Call For Caring has now extended from a bi-annual event to podcasting, virtual educational series, care grants and caregiving coaching.
In 2022, I closed the Home Helpers of Atlanta chapter of my life. While it was a very challenging decision to close the business, it was an experience that fed my spirit of entrepreneurship and has motivated me to build my next chapter.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the challenges I underestimated with Home Helpers was building and maintaining a team of care professionals. After the first few years, we were able to build a stronger team and clientele, with longevity for both. While challenges still arouse with hiring the number of employees needed to meet the demand, there was improvement. The Pandemic changed that quickly for many reasons. The fear of working during the pandemic, the need for team members to care for their own family members or clients holding services each had an impact on sustaining during the pandemic and recovering after.
We’ve been impressed with Call For Caring Incorpoarted, 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?
Call For Caring is a support system for family caregivers. We provide and connect family caregivers with resources that improve their life and the life of their loved ones. Our goal is to educate, elevate and empower family caregivers as they move through their caregiving journey. Through our expos, podcast, virtual educational series or care grants family caregivers feel as though they are being heard, appreciated and given life-changing resources or experiences that forever impact their life, their loved one and their family.
I am most proud 0f after every event or podcast release, we receive feedback that the information received spoke directly to them and motivated them to improve their life or positively impact the lives of others.
Call For Caring has the goal to improve the lives of family caregivers and their loved ones by connecting them with tangible resources providing a road map to self-care, quality and safe care for their loved ones in the setting they both desire.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as living in your intended God-given purpose, impacting the lives of others for the better while bringing joy to yourself and enjoying the love of family and friends. Achieving of the aforementioned goals is a priority, in addition to building generational wealth for the work that brings assistance to others and self-fulfillment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.callforcaring.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Call-For-Caring-Inc/100082700559416/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/80738370
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@callforcaringinc97
- Other: https://www.up2meradio.com/call-for-caring-on-purpose/
First Atlanta Family Caregiver Expo(AFCE) in 2017 at Impact Church, East Point GA.
2019 AFCE at Emory Conference Center. Caregiver Discussion Panel – Mary Causey, Amy Hudson, Alonzo Wilson and Michelle Bolden.
2021 AFCE @ Impact Church, East Point GA – Legal, Financial and Medical Panel Discussion – Derrick Murphy, Dr. Jodine Sejour-Donatien and Attorney Robert Goldberg.
Family Photo – Son James, Michelle, Sister Pam, Sister Karen and father Mr. Johnson.
Michelle at Home Helpers of Atlanta table celebrating women at the Phenomenal Woman’s Pink Tea.
2019 AFCE Main Stage Presentation Legal Matters of Caregiving.
Image Credits
Alonzo Wilson, VIP Photography
Photographer for the main photo is Nick Nelson – Brandprenuer
