Tenant of the month: karen mcmurrAy with visiting angels Home Care

• What is your profession?  Franchise owner of Visiting Angels Home Care.  We provide assistance to seniors so that they can age-in-place at home.

 

• How long have you owned your own business? June 2018 marked 10 YEARS!

 

• What inspired you to own your own business?  One day my best friend who was between jobs asked me to accompany her to vet a franchise called Visiting Angels.  We were both inspired by the opportunity to help those most vulnerable.  Prior to that, I had never aspired to be a business owner.  My friend purchased the Cleveland Franchise in 2002.  I took the faith-leap and left Anheuser-Busch in 2007 (before the buyout) to purchase the franchise here. Instead of matching beer to wholesalers, I now match our caregivers to families in need.

 

• What might someone be surprised to know about you?
  I hold a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, and I plan to attend seminary

 

• Do you have a hobby, play a sport, or have any special interests?  I love music and movies, and writing handwritten letters/notes

 

• What job would you be terrible at?  Chef

 

• Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished? 
  My mother and both of my grandmothers

 

• Where is the most interesting place you have visited?  Costa Rica

 

• Do you have any advice based on your area of expertise?  Every adult above the age of 35 should purchase a long term care insurance policy

 

• If you could work anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
  Somewhere 80 degrees year-round, sunny, beachfront

 

• How has working in a shared work space influenced your business? CCW provides a safe space to work among a community of other business owners.  I greatly appreciate the strong, first impression the space gives to visitors.

 

• What is your favorite restaurant from the St. Louis area?   
  Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill

 

• What are you currently reading?
  Into the Silent Land: The Practice of Contemplation

 

• What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
  Travel outside of the U.S. and get immersed in another culture.  It is humbling and makes us more grateful.

 

• What is the best thing that has happened to you this year?
  Kitchen Update/Remodel

• Who’s your go to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to? Little Jimmy Scott (jazz artist)…very soothing