How the business started: Braun was providing occupational therapy to senior citizens in their homes and at senior living communities when she realized that the whole process of moving a parent or loved one to a new home can be overwhelming. "I had a patient whose daughter was having a garage sale and seemed very overwhelmed by the whole process," said Braun. "I helped her with it and that's when the light went off." Braun had read an article in the New York Times about a new business revolved around helping senior adults downsize and/or move. She contacted Barbara Morris in Louisville, Ky., who had launched Smooth Transitions and became a licensee for the Dayton area. Braun has been in business three years.
Being a business owner comes very naturally to Braun. Her father owned a drug store in Mason, Ohio and then Oxford, Ohio. “I worked for dad since I was in first grade, so I know what it takes to run a business.”
Recent developments: Business is booming. Braun has a team that helps her pack and move but she's hoping to soon have three teams which will allow her more time to prepare and coordinate moves. Braun is active with the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) which provides her continuing education on such topics as resolving conflicts within families, hoarding and packing techniques. Through NASMM, she is able to contact someone in another state and work with them on a move. "Say a child wants to move their mother from California to Ohio," said Braun. "I can work with the person on the front end and coordinate everything on this end."
Braun loves her job because she’s doing something different every day and meeting interesting people. “Some of the moves are complicated and really allow us to get to know the family. It’s great.”
Braun said when it’s time to move a parent, the children can become very anxious and nervous. “They often expect failure but when they see how we can practically recreate the home environment, they are amazed.”
In Braun’s first year in business she had 60 moves. Her second year in business saw more than 100 moves. She credits her success to a growing need for the service and excellent customer service. “My father taught me that if you offer excellent customer service you can’t go wrong.”
Contact and purchase information: To contact Deanna Braun at Smooth Transitions® of Dayton, LLC call (937) 545-8803 or www.movingforseniors.com
About the Author