Sometimes it is the people who have suffered the most as a family that create the most caring and strong families.

Alison Green, founder of Bien Chez Soi, chose to change roles in her own story and leave behind the victim to become the heroine, the one who allows the elderly to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

“I had a difficult childhood, I was abused by a member of my family. But from there was born a deep desire to help vulnerable people, ”says the one who grew up in Saint-Bruno.

I often feel this strong emotion, made up of admiration and empathy, when I discover the stories of founding entrepreneurs, and I have heard hundreds of them through my professional activities. They are fighters, capable of transforming their wounds into positive force and useful works.

Entrepreneur at 23

Alison Green started her home care business at the age of 23 to support her grandfather (later grandmother) who wanted to continue living at home, but needed help. Faced with the lack of services, Alison took matters into her own hands. First customer and two employees: it was a start!

His grandfather was able to live at home until his last breath, eight years later, well accompanied.

And today, after 15 years in business, Alison has built a network of 40 franchises that help 2,500 families, thanks to 750 employees in all regions of Quebec, except in the Far North. In fact, Alison doesn't call them employees, but “benevolent ones”, and she considers them members of HER family. There are nannies for the children, beneficiary attendants, homemakers, nurses and housekeepers.

“Every day, my grandparents have to look down on me and help me align everything to give others an end of life like the one they had,” says the one who, through the drama of her childhood, was at least able to live chapters of fairy tales, when she spent her holidays in Trois-Pistoles with her grandparents. They, who loved each other with a great love, inspired her to build a life in their example.

Impact leader recognized by Evol in 2022 and winner of the Quebec Business Woman award last year, Alison was a pioneer in providing home care.

She keeps her employees

The strength of its offer is based on the right pairings between the elder and the benevolent, in order to provide stability in the care and the relationship.

The benevolent almost becomes a member of the client's family – the average pairing lasts four years and sometimes up to fourteen! Bien Chez Soi’s employee retention rate is 86% – a feat.

Today, Alison dreams of greater collaboration with public services and community organizations to support seniors.

The desire to stay at home as long as possible is almost unanimous in 2022, pandemic requires.

So like Alison, I wonder about the relevance of building million-dollar rooms in seniors' homes when you can adapt a senior's home for $40,000. The private sector is not necessarily the devil. For 15 years, Alison has worked to prove it, along with the 39 other franchise entrepreneurs who have embraced her vision.

ALISON GREEN PROFILE