In this episode of The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, host Charlie Cameron is joined by Brandon Schwab, founder of Shepherd Premier Senior Living, a trailblazing organization transforming senior care through small, high-quality residential assisted living homes.

Brandon’s journey began with a deeply personal experience that revealed the shortcomings of traditional large-scale facilities. This inspired him to create a new model focused on providing exceptional care in smaller, more intimate settings. Shepherd Premier Senior Living operates nine homes with a total of 141 beds, providing residents with a compassionate alternative to factory-style care.

Tune in as Brandon shares his journey, his innovative approach to assisted living, and his passion for reshaping the industry to meet the growing demand for quality care amidst the Silver Tsunami.

Key Points

• The Inspiration Behind Shepherd Premier: Brandon discusses how a negative experience with his grandfather’s care motivated him to create a better solution for seniors.
• Small-Scale, Big Impact: Discover why Shepherd Premier’s model of 10-20 residents per home significantly improves care quality compared to larger facilities.
• Financial Freedom Through RAL: Learn how a single residential assisted living home can achieve financial freedom faster than traditional real estate investments.
• Navigating Challenges: Brandon shares lessons learned from building his portfolio, including creative financing strategies and adapting to COVID-era demands.
• Meeting Unprecedented Demand: With over 700,000 beds needed by 2030, Brandon highlights the vast opportunities for growth in the assisted living space.
• Heart-Centered Business: Brandon emphasizes the importance of a mission-driven approach, providing not only quality care but also purpose for his residents and team.
• Opportunities for Investors: Explore how Shepherd Premier partners with investors to meet the skyrocketing demand for personalized senior care.

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In this episode of The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, host Charlie Cameron is joined by Erin Render, CEO of Legato Living, a franchise dedicated to creating high-quality, personalized memory care homes.

Erin’s journey in senior care began as a CNA and progressed through her completion of a master’s degree in health care administration. Rising to the role of administrator at just 23, she developed a vision for transforming long-term care.

Today, Legato Living is her solution—a franchise model focused on small, intimate care settings that provide a higher quality of life for residents living with dementia.
Tune in as Erin discusses the benefits of smaller care settings, her hands-on approach to franchise oversight, and her passion for reshaping the assisted living industry through compassion and innovation.

Key Points:

• Transition to Residential Memory Care: Erin discusses her decision to move from a large facility setting to a smaller, personalized memory care model to better meet resident needs.
• Building Legato Living: Starting with three homes, Erin explains how she converted them into memory care settings, building the Legato brand and expanding her reach through franchising.
• Hands-On Operations: Erin emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and personal oversight in developing processes and maintaining quality care standards.
• Scalable Business Model: By renting properties and initially focusing on the business side, Erin outlines how she structured Legato Living to be financially sustainable and growth-oriented.
• Regulatory Navigation: With her deep knowledge of zoning and building codes, Erin shares insights on overcoming regulatory hurdles and finding locations that support the needs of memory care residents.
• Enhanced Resident-to-Caregiver Ratio: Erin explains how a one-to-four caregiver ratio in residential settings significantly improves resident quality of life compared to larger facilities.
• Community and Reputation Building: Erin highlights how building a strong local reputation and utilizing online tools like Google My Business have been crucial to Legato Living’s sustained occupancy and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Advice for New Operators: Erin encourages aspiring operators to start with ample capital, stay engaged in local marketing, and prioritize consistent communication with residents’ families.

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In this episode of The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, host Charlie Cameron is joined by Sally Su, the founder of Happy Journey Care Home. A Harvard MBA graduate and former professional athlete, Sally has developed a thriving assisted living brand in California, currently operating two locations with a third on the way.
Starting her journey in 2019, Sally bootstrapped her business from the ground up, leveraging her background in real estate investment to fuel sustainable growth. Tune in as she shares her journey from real estate to senior care, her hands-on approach to building efficient processes, and her vision for transforming residential assisted living.

Key Points:

• Transition to Assisted Living: Sally shares her shift from real estate and short-term rentals to senior care, driven by personal experiences and a desire to create meaningful impact.
• Building Happy Journey Care Home: From her first property in 2019, Sally details how she established her brand and expanded to two locations, with ambitious plans for continued growth.
• Hands-On Approach: Bootstrapping her business has allowed Sally to oversee every aspect—from acquiring and remodeling properties to day-to-day operations—ensuring innovation and quality care.
• Scaling and Financing: Sally describes her approach to financing, including using real estate investments for expansion and balancing financial goals with her commitment to quality.
• Navigating Regulatory Challenges: With California’s strict regulations, Sally offers insights on overcoming compliance hurdles and building a reliable, compassionate team.
• Meeting Community Needs: She discusses the rising demand for personalized, residential care settings as a favorable alternative to large facilities.
• Building Strong Partnerships: Sally emphasizes the value of maintaining relationships with discharge planners and placement agents for consistent occupancy and quality service.
• Future Trends and Vision: Looking ahead, Sally envisions increased collaboration with healthcare providers and a growing need for smaller, community-oriented care homes.
• Advice for Aspiring Operators: Sally advises new operators to take a hands-on approach, focusing on operational excellence and balancing financial sustainability with compassionate care.

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In this episode of The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, host Charlie Cameron sits down with Shawn Medlin, founder and CEO of Seasons Assisted Living and Memory Care in North Houston, Texas. Shawn shares his journey from corporate America to building a successful assisted living business, covering his experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for success. Tune in to discover how Shawn scaled his business from a single six-bed facility to three thriving locations, and get his advice on entering this high-demand, high-impact industry.

Key Points:

• Journey to Assisted Living: Shawn shares his transition from tech and pharmaceutical sales to real estate investment, discovering senior housing after seeing a need within his family.
• First Acquisition: Shawn details the purchase of his first six-bed care home, initially cash-flowing $4,000/month, and how he expanded it to a profitable 14-bed facility.
• Scaling and Financing: Tips on financing the first acquisition, working with community banks, and the importance of presenting a strong business plan.
• Lessons Learned: Key takeaways include navigating building codes, choosing the right contractors, and being prepared for unexpected regulatory hurdles.
• The Importance of Staff and Marketing: Shawn emphasizes the value of excellent staff and raving fans in building a reputation and maintaining full occupancy.
• Future Trends: Shawn discusses the growing demand for memory care and his plans for a memory care-focused development on a six-acre property, foreseeing an increase in clustered residential homes for seniors.
• Mindset for Success: Shawn’s advice to new operators includes cultivating a mindset for growth, embracing challenges, and focusing on service to achieve lasting success in the assisted living sector.

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In this episode, we provide a comprehensive guide for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in entering the residential assisted living (RAL) industry. Join us as we break down the essential 10 steps to opening a residential assisted living home. From initial research to welcoming your first residents, we cover everything you need to know, like licensing requirements, expected cost, what to look for in a potential property, and so much more to launch a successful RAL business.

Key Points:

1. Finding the Right Property – Choosing a location that meets both market needs and licensing requirements.
2. Renovating for Compliance – Essential adjustments to make your property RAL-ready and accessible.
3. Understanding Local Regulations – Navigating state and local licensing to ensure legal compliance.
4. Setting Up Finances – Budgeting, financing, and understanding the financial model for RALs.
5. Hiring and Training Staff – Building a compassionate, qualified team for resident care.
6. Creating a Marketing Plan – Tips on reaching families and filling beds with the right residents.
7. Establishing Policies and Procedures – Setting standards for day-to-day operations and resident care.
8. Building Community Relationships – Leveraging connections with referral sources and local healthcare providers.
9. Managing Daily Operations – Tips on maintaining quality care and a smooth-running facility.
10. Growing Your RAL Portfolio – Insights on scaling from your first RAL home to a thriving business.

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Welcome to The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, your go-to resource for all things residential assisted living! Hosted by Charlie Cameron and Dr. Alex Schloe, we bring you expert insights, real-life success stories, and the strategies you need to thrive in the booming assisted living industry. Whether you're launching your own RAL business or seeking high-impact investment opportunities, join us as we ride the "Silver Tsunami" and revolutionize senior care together! Subscribe now for actionable tips, industry trends, and inspiring interviews with leading operators and investors.

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