Start With Occupancy Podcast

I vowed…”I will NEVER go back and work for another senior living company again!!!”

NEVER!!!

🚫Not because I didn’t love it. I did. ALOT ♥️
🚫Not because I was tired of the traveling. It was fun…for a while 😒
🚫Not because I sucked at my job (I actually was very, very good at it 😉)

But because of the toxic environments…😠

✅ The micro-aggressions.
✅ The unrealistic demands from the sales & marketing teams without the accountability from the operations teams
✅ The lack of transparency to private equity investors and how it impacted decisions affecting residents and staff.

And more…😂
I became disillusioned and disappointed.🏳️

How can an industry whose message of care, compassion, and enriching lives be so…

Fractured, disconnected, and profit over people driven…🤯….uggghhhh…

And don’t get me wrong, the people working in the communities (the staff) were caring and compassionate…but the top brass made it hard for them…😤

I knew there were owners who REALLY were passionate about serving seniors, helping caregiving families and doing “right” by their staff…

Who also needed guidance and help.🛟

That’s when I decided enough was enough…

While I was limited in the scope and reach that could be achieved in the corporate arena by division, district or a small company…

I could help MANY more owners and operators to impact an unlimited number of seniors, families and their staff working to support them.

I am doing just that.🥰

Through podcasts, Youtube shows, workshops, live intensive trainings, group mentorship, etc

While it has taken me a while to build the ecosystem, I am proud of what has been accomplished so far.

Long nights.
Short cash flow.
Frustrated with tech.
The list goes on and on…

As a business owner, you get it.

BUT, I am happy because this work matters.

Why? Because the work you are doing to start, own, operate, and grow, impacts lives.

Not just yours, but the many many people you can touch in AND outside of your home.

There are people circling…like a plane waiting for clearance to land…

And it is your dream business, your passion for caring for others, your commitment to make a difference in their lives that is the gate to unlock the next stage of their life’s journey.

So thank you for every follow, subscription, class, workshop, session…all of it.🙏🏽

No call to action here…
just a heartfelt thank you to all of you on a very grateful and reflective Saturday♥️

Photo: 4 months into my “I will figure it out phase” 😂

And be encouraged, you will figure it out too😉

Have you ever thought about a trusted community organization as a referral source?

Not the hospital.
Not the discharge planner.
Not the skilled nursing facility.
Not the usual list almost ALL senior living homes and communities call on.🫣

In today’s episode, I share the story of a partnership I worked on for two years with our city YMCA before it was finally approved and what happened when we actually launched it.

Packed rooms.
Standing room only.
Of the very people my team needed to reach.

And, more visibility across the city.
And, conversations with families who weren’t even “in crisis” yet.

That’s the part we miss sometimes.

There are trusted voices in your community who already have access to the exact families you’re trying to reach.

Pastors.
Senior club leaders.
Realtors.
Even hairstylists…yes…you heard me 😏

This episode isn’t about replacing your traditional referral sources.

It’s about expanding your circle.

It’s about becoming the big fish in a smaller, more intentional pond.

🎙 Day 16 of the 21 Days of All Things Senior Living Marketing series is live.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re working hard to get referrals for your home or community…

But not widening your reach, this one is for you.

🎧Listen to the Start With Occupancy Podcast

It is available where you stream your favorite podcasts ☺️

Drop a 💡 if you never thought of a hair salon as a referral source for your community 😉

Just a note: why did my sales manager take a pic while I was talking is beyond me 😐🙄😂

When was the last time you generated 15 referrals in 30 days?

My sales manager did!😲
And guess what?

The families and residents already trusted her, the staff, and the care they provided BEFORE visiting the community.

If your answer is “never,” “not recently,” or ...
you’re scratching your head, then this episode is for you.

In Day 15 of the 21 Days All Things Senior Living Sales series, I break down how one simple strategy produced 15 referrals and over $20,000 in first-month revenue.

No paid referral fees.
No extra ad spend.
No social content posting.
No luck.

Just timing.⏰
Conversations.🗣️
Creativity.💡
And a system.🔁

🎙 It’s live.
Go listen.🎧

Start With Occupancy Podcast is streamed everywhere you listen to your favorite podcasts including YouTube.

Bonus:
Put a 🔥 in the comments if you want 15 referrals in 30 days.😉

Have you joined the private group yet? 🤔

I just renamed it:

Assisted Living Mentorship Hub | Start With Occupancy.

Why? To be honest, because I am baffled at the desire to open a business that carries so much risk (financially and personally) without a roadmap.

So if you are looking for information or support during your journey to assisted living or senior living ownership, with plenty of free resources as well as some paid options (because my bills have to be paid too😏), then review the group information below and join me (link to group in the comments):

Licensing opens the doors. Occupancy keeps them open.

Welcome to the Start With Occupancy Podcast listener hub where we talk about more than licensing. You know, marketing, operations, sales, quality care and compliance.

All of the things you need, if executed strategically, will help you become 100% occupied and profitable while reducing your exposure to risk (Yep, the stuff NO ONE talks about🫣)

If you haven't heard about some of this:

✅ Offering a niche program will increase occupancy

✅ How to start and keep a waitlist engaged BEFORE you open

✅ What to post to promote your community on social media

✅ What to say during a family visit (aka tour) and how your sales process may actually turn a family away from you

✅ How to partner with paid advisors strategically, reducing fees while building stronger partnerships

Then, this group will be for you 😉

And just to be clear, here are the group expectations:

BE KIND, COURTEOUS, AND COLLABORATIVE 🫶🏽

We are here to support each other with the mission to impact the lives of seniors and bring peace of mind to their families

BE SOMEONE'S CHEERLEADER🙌🏽

If someone shares a touching story, or share a small "win" for the day, leave a comment. Encourage them. This can make a huge difference in their day. Be supportive. This is a safe place of learning...positive vibes ONLY.

OPERATE OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE MINDSET🔑

We are not a community of fearful, scarcity minded, cut throat, can't play nice in the sandbox people😏. There is MORE than enough business to go around for EVERYONE. Ensure posts align with abundance mindset and serving others.

So come on in, have that sip of coffee ☕️ or wine 😉 and join our crew of positive, upbeat folks who are shaking things up by paving the way to help the new wave of aging adults.

So if this aligns with you and your values, I would love to have you join me.

Together we will inspire change, impact lives, and improve outcomes. 💕

There are BIG outreach goals in 2026! (more about that in another post ☺️)

You can also connect with me receive free info on these other platforms:

YouTube Channel: Start With Occupancy

Podcasts: Start With Occupancy & Outlive Your Life

Have questions? Post them in the group.

Have requests for trainings? DM me! 😊