The Entrepreneurial Spirit Series: Laura Pierce

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Series

Laura Pierce

Entrepreneurs work with many types of businesses. Some create things from scratch; some develop their passion along the way.

Laura Pierce of Touching Hearts at Home defines an Entrepreneurial Spirit as someone who has the drive or spirit to independently pursue what they’re passionate about, risking more than the average person to achieve their goals.

“Touching Hearts at Home's mission is to help seniors and people with disabilities preserve their quality of life and remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. We do this by providing non-medical companionship, care giving and homemaking services. Through sharing, caring, and helping, we strive to give peace of mind to both our clients and their families. Our services are provided from just a few hours per visit, up to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.”

How does this translate into being an entrepreneur for Laura? Her personality is to succeed and the rewards of success are only part of it for Laura.

Success plays a role in what she does. “Success is achieving the goals you’ve set for yourself.”

Has she succeeded? She tells me…”not quite”. Laura is constantly learning. In fact she says there is always more to learn. She has had to learn to market this business, utilizing marketing professionals, word of mouth, print ads, websites, etc.

Her advice for those just starting out? “Don’t focus so heavily on operations starting out. Market and grow your organization the first year, then smooth out operations thereafter. Recognize your weaknesses and outsource them. Continue to educate yourself. Learn from your mistakes. What you originally thought you were good at may not be the case and that’s ok, just switch to what you are good out and outsource the other.”

How about risks? “I’m afraid of risk. After all I started five months pregnant, quit a paying job, and emptied my savings all to start this business.” And profit is important…”money makes things easier.” Well said.

Would she do anything differently? “Yes…set out more expectations for employees and more structure, reconsider franchising.”

So why has she come this far? Passion…

She is truly passionate about helping people remain in their homes with the care that is necessary. Why? “My grandmother died driving herself to the hospital which drives me to help people. Giving people the care they need to remain safe in the environment they choose is so important. Matching good caregivers to people in need is the part I can do to help.”

Laura and her business have both grown significantly. That’s more than just passion. That’s the Entrepreneurial Spirit.

Learn more about Laura at www.touchinghearts.com/scottsdale


This series of articles was commissioned by Upward Trend and written by Wendy VanHatten, a nationally published author, editor, and writing coach.