Member Spotlight: Chris Peterkin of University Care Services

Are you a dreamer, risk-taker, or doer?

I lean toward being a dreamer, but when I started my business, I took a big risk. I had been laid off after having had a long-time operations position with a national grocery store chain. During that time, I knew I wanted to start a business, I just didn’t know what that would be. My wife, a nurse practitioner, noticed there was a serious lack of bedside home care. So, I decided to launch University Care Services, a home healthcare business, with my wife as a consultant.

As fellow entrepreneurs, we would love to hear about your business.

At University Care Services, we provide quality in-home care to people who need assistance completing daily activities or essential needs within their own home. Our clients might be cancer patients, dementia or Alzheimer’s patients, those who are terminally ill, and children with special needs, such as autism or Down’s Syndrome. We staff licensed CNAs and qualified individuals who are board certified seven days a week around the Charlotte North Carolina area. We’ll do in-home assessments to help develop a personalized plan of care, with the intention of easing the stress and hassles of working with multiple service providers. Our job is to put the patient and family at ease.

Who is your ideal customer?

My ideal customer may be a senior citizen needing assistance with daily living needs or a child with limited abilities who need services, like a ride to school or assistance with their homework.

What are your top tips for entrepreneurial success?

Patience, persistence, and finding value in what you do!