Kevin Rarick

After two decades away — including five years of active duty in the Army and a career in health and performance research — Kevin Rarick knew it was time to return home. Motivated by a desire to be closer to his parents and driven by a calling to serve his community, he began exploring small business ownership. Nothing sparked his interest quite like Caring Transitions.

Now, as the new owner of Caring Transitions of Reading, Pennsylvania, Rarick is applying his background in health care and service to support older adults and their families during life’s most complex transitions — all while putting down new roots in the place he grew up.

Kevin Rarick: I just moved back to Pennsylvania from Wisconsin, but I was actually raised here. I joined the Army 20 years ago, and ever since then I’d been living out of state. I was in my last job for quite a while and had reached a point where I wanted to do something different — something closer to home. I started looking at business opportunities and when I came across Caring Transitions, it was the first one that really spoke to me. I got genuinely excited about what I saw with the franchise.

Rarick: I originally went to school for exercise physiology and health. After I finished my master’s, I joined the Army and served five years of active duty as an enlisted soldier. I was a medical lab technician and spent most of my time doing research at an Army research institute. We were looking at soldier performance, nutrition and physical training programs. It gave me a strong foundation in health and wellness.

Rarick: At first, I was focused on buying an existing business, thinking it might be an easier way into small business ownership since I came more from an academic background. But most of the businesses I was looking at were struggling — their revenue had been declining for years. It just didn’t feel like the right move. When I started looking into franchises, I liked the idea of having support from a corporate team and a framework to help you get started.

Rarick: With my background in health and wellness — especially more recently around brain health and Alzheimer’s — I’ve had a long-standing interest in supporting the aging population. I’ve spent years doing research, but the reality is that it takes a long time to see results in that space. With Caring Transitions, you’re helping people right away. You’re solving problems with them in real time. You can see the positive impact you’re making on their lives almost immediately. That really drew me in.

Rarick: Right now, I’m focused on running one successful business and getting that off the ground. I do want to grow over time, but for now, I’m keeping my focus on this first location and making sure we do it right.

Rarick: I did a lot of research into franchises — I was searching for businesses for over six months. I looked at a lot of different types and studied their financials. That really helped me understand operational expenses and what success could look like. I’d recommend talking to as many current owners as possible — that kind of firsthand insight is invaluable. But also know that not every story you hear will apply to your market, so be sure to do your own research and trust your data.

Caring Transitions provides older adults and their families with the most trusted, respected and comprehensive downsizing, right-sizing, estate sales and online auctions, and move management solutions in the industry. Founded in 2006, the brand is committed to helping people in a compassionate and caring manner during life's many transitions while providing a total and easy solution for clients in their time of need. Through their proprietary online sales platform, CTBIDS, Caring Transitions also prepares clients for the process of liquidating assets through their own online estate sales auction site.

With more than 350 locations, Caring Transitions’ compassionate, experienced professionals minimize stress and relieve the burdens of life’s transitions.