Star City 6 – Theron Ahlman
CarePatrol is the nation’s largest senior care referral/placement network. With that level of support, each local franchise specializes in providing expert assistance to families within their territory who are searching for safe, quality care and housing options. Theron Ahlman is the owner of CarePatrol of Nebraska (www.carepatrol.com), serving Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding communities.
Tell us a little about your business.
At CarePatrol, we come alongside to guide our clients through the process of finding the resources that are needed. We help families find Assisted Living, Independent Living, In-Home Care and Memory Care. We review the state’s care and violation history before we ever recommend a community, and we personally tour with the families to our recommended facilities much like a realtor shows families to new homes. We’re able to provide all of this as a free community service because we are compensated by our thousands of providers in our network.
How did you get started in the business?
After working for a couple small businesses, helping them grow, I was looking to take the next step in life. My goal was to own a business, and to make a difference in doing so. I came across CarePatrol and absolutely loved the concept and philosophy, so I took the leap, which included completing the extensive training process that’s required at the national level. I have now been working for myself for over a year and just took over the Omaha territory!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Getting people to understand the concept of what CarePatrol does and that our services are always free to those we help.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Devoting my efforts to running my business full-time. I have owned a few other businesses, but they have never been my main income source and I absolutely love working for myself and being 100% responsible for the outcome.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have been married to Brooke Ahlman for almost 10 years. We have two kids, Brystal (6) and Gage (3).
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
The day we opened Brookelyn’s Hair & Replacement, my wife’s business. The plan was always to have our own separate ventures. We knew that as her business grew, we’d get to a point where I could then go and start my own business. If we wouldn’t have done that I would have had a much tougher go of it on my own.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
I love to go boating with the family during the summer. We enjoy having friends and their kids come out as there is nothing better than a great day on the water. I also am a huge racing nut.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
We are each responsible for our own success, nobody else.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
I am on the committee for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Blondes vs Brunettes football game fundraising event that will take place April 21st. I want to help advance Alzheimer’s research as my grandma and grandpa were both affected by it, as is my wife’s grandpa.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Ming’s House is always my choice; I love broccoli chicken. I’ve also gotten my kids hooked, so if I mention going for Chinese they are always on board!
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Mobile: (402) 580-2116; Email: therona@carepatrol.com; Website: www.carepatrol.com.