Page 14 - BusinessWest January 20, 2021

CBy George O’Brien
esar Ruiz Jr. describes the business plan for Golden Years Homecare Services as “a living, breathing document.”
That intriguing phrase was cho- sen to convey many things all at
once — especially movement, flexibility, seem- ingly constant change, and a certain ambitious tone.
Indeed, while every business plan is fluid and most are written in pencil — figuratively speak- ing, anyway — this one has been altered count- less times since it was first drafted more than eight years ago, and the new lines on the page
“The exciting thing is that we’ve only scratched the surface.”
reflect why Ruiz, the company’s president, and the entire leadership team at this East Long- meadow-based venture have been named Top Entrepreneur for 2020 by BusinessWest.
Indeed, since being launched in 2016, this company, which started with home-care services, has expanded in every way imaginable. That includes its geographic footprint — it has moved well beyond its Greater Springfield roots and into Central Mass. and Northern Conn., with a new satellite office in downtown Boston set to open later this year. It also includes services; sensing opportunities, the company has expanded into behavioral health and will soon open a staffing
W
The sign on the property in East Longmeadow’s center announced the arrival of the Golden Years Behavioral Health Group, one of many indicators of growth at this company.
component as well. And with a planned acqui- sition that Ruiz said is now “on the 2-yard line” — which means he can’t talk about it in any real detail, as much as he would like to — Golden Years will expand the portfolio to skilled care in the home.
There’s also been seemingly constant expan- sion of the facilities in East Longmeadow, with a buildout now in progress for the staffing and behavioral-health pieces of this ever-changing puzzle. And, looking ahead, plans are taking shape to franchise some of the services, expand
TAG National Ad Campaign Preview
into many more states, and perhaps take the company public to raise the capital to fuel all this expansion.
Like an artist’s canvas, Golden Years is tak- ing shape — and changing shape — quickly and dramatically, with those holding the brushes not exactly sure what the picture will look like when they’re done — or what ‘done’ will mean.
“We’re beginning our fifth year of opera- tion, and it’s said that when you hit that fifth
year, that’s when you really lay
Entrepreneur
Continued on page 16
020
Best Practice #77
ork Anywhere with Microsoft Azure Work Anywhere with Microsoft Azure
Go Hack Yourself
Simulated Cyber Attacks are a Great Way to Protect Your Network
Personal Desktop Experience on Any Device
The Personal Desktop Experience on Any Device
ualized | Fully Managed | Always Up-to-Date | Cybersecure
Virtualized | Fully Managed | Always Up-to-Date | Cybersecure
Wonder What Else You Don’t Know? Call Us.
(
413) 585-9950
(413) 585-9950
ational.com/internal/ads/details.aspx?c=Microsoft Azure13&g=Microsoft Azure
(413) 585-9950 www.twe.atemamhohgoagna.nc.ocmom
www.teamhogan.com
Entrepreneurs
Undertake Risk and
Responsibility
in order to solve problems, contribute their passions and talents to society, and make the world go round. Our success and survival depends on them, and they depend on you. Hear their stories, perspectives, and inspirations every week, as they reveal themselves in a conversation with Ira Bryck on
The Western Mass Business Show Saturdays at 11am
299 more at: tinyurl.com/ wmassbusiness- show
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Recent Guests (top to bottom) Sally Ekus, Katie Rennie, Silvana Gravini, and Sandra Costello
HEAlTHCARE NEWS
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Sponsored By:
HEAlTHCARE NEWS 1/2
The
Virt
//www.tagn
14
JANUARY 20, 2021
TOP ENTREPRENEUR 2020
BusinessWest
2