Star City Six – Karla Frese

Home Care Partners of Nebraska (www.HomeCarePartnersofNebraska.com) is dedicated to providing in-home personal care services that improve quality of life for senior clients and create peace of mind for their families. The locally owned and operated company enriches lives, while offering an array of care services designed to enhance daily living, all designed with quality of life in mind for today and tomorrow. Karla Frese is the co-owner of Home Care Partners of Nebraska.

Tell us a little about your business.

The care services we provide help seniors maintain independence and gives their families peace of mind; it’s caregiving that provides seniors support in independent residences, assisted living, long-term care, hospice, or respite care.

How did you get started in the business?

I have dedicated my entire professional career to serving seniors. As such, I have extensive experience working within the entire continuum of care: Independent, Assisted, Skilled Nursing, Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation, and Hospice. With this comprehensive view, it was clear to me, especially with the rising cost of facilities, that our aging population will need to bring in more home care providers to protect their retirement savings and to maintain their independence.

Tell us a little about your family.

I am married to Derek Frese. Derek coaches the throwers for Track & Field at Nebraska Wesleyan and is the head strength and conditioning coach. We are blessed with 3 children: Rosalyn (8), Ruby (5), and new baby Kade, born in April.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

With the addition of a new blessing to our family, going through the final stage of pregnancy and having a baby all while opening a business took a lot of support from family, friends, church, and colleagues (coffee helped!). Just hours before my water broke, I was networking with Paige Zutavern at Friends4Lunch! Kade is Lincoln’s youngest businessman for sure! He attended many meetings with Mom and I was happy to share snuggles while continuing to work.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?

I LOVE LOCAL. Studies have shown when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather than a nationally-owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses and service providers, further strengthening the economic base of the whole community. Community involvement helps you connect with others, improves lives, and strengthens communities, but most important is the intangible benefits of pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment. It warms our hearts knowing we are giving back. I am involved in various community events, and on several committees and boards, with the following organizations: St. Joseph Church, Lincoln MOMS, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Junior Achievement, AARP, the Coalition for Older Adult Health Promotion, End of Life Coalition, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, LIBA, RISE, and Women in Sales and Business.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Phone: (402) 780-1211; Email: Karla@HomeCarePartnersofNebraska.com; Website: www.HomeCarePartnersofNebraska.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/homecarepartnersofnebraska.