Q+A: BECKY TORREZ:

BrightStar Care franchisee: Don’t be afraid to set big, hairy, audacious goals

Becky Torrez at BrightStar Care on June 21, 2016.

Becky Torrez is a BrightStar Care franchisee in Las Vegas, which for almost four years has provided private-duty nursing for Southern Nevadans. A former teacher and stay-at-home mother, Torrez considered several avenues for starting a business before she decided on health care. “I knew I wanted to do something that would make a difference in people’s lives,” she said.

Why did you choose BrightStar Care?

I talked to every company out there that had franchises available in Las Vegas. Most of them were willing to hand me the business without questioning if I had the ability to really make it work. In a franchise system, you are only as good as your weakest link. BrightStar Care put me through the wringer. They set the bar high and require a lot of their franchisees. Ultimately, I realized that if I didn’t buy the territory here, someone else would, and I didn’t want to have to be competing against the person who bought BrightStar Care.

What has been your most exciting professional project?

BrightStar Care created a dementia/Alzheimer’s training program last year. It has been so inspiring to put our team through this training. We offer the training twice a month, and I still can’t get through it without becoming emotional. Each time I do the training, I learn something new from someone I am training and I realize what kind, compassionate, caring people work in our industry. We will be offering a “Day in the Life” interactive event in the fall, where people can experience what it is like for someone who has dementia/Alzheimer’s. I think it will be an eye-opener.

If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be?

The perception that Las Vegas is all about the Strip. It is so much more than that.

I moved here when I was 5. I always try to tell people what a small town it is and what a close-knit community it is. I live in a neighborhood where my kids are surrounded by their best friends. A few weeks ago, there were probably 50 of us at our neighborhood park barbecuing and playing kickball. My kids know that if they are doing something they shouldn’t be, someone is going to see it and either handle it directly with them, or let me know. We have the expectation that we are all in this together, and our kids have no doubt they are part of an amazing community.

What’s the biggest issue facing Southern Nevada?

My children attend public school here. I believe in public education. As a community, we all need a part in this. The burden can’t be placed on one segment of society to fix it. We need to think outside the box and stop politicizing it. What we are doing isn’t working and we don’t have the luxury of taking baby steps. Sweeping, drastic changes need to be made so we can start moving up the ladder.

What are you reading right now?

I want to answer a book about business or bettering the world, but every summer I read trashy beach novels. I just finished “The Castaways,” by Elin Hilderbrand. It’s mindless and easy and a great escape from reality.

What do you do after work?

I have teenage kids, so no day is ever the same. My son plays lacrosse, so a significant amount of free time is spent on a lacrosse field. My husband and I have an impromptu “date night” about once a week. It’s nice to be able to be spontaneous and not have to worry about babysitters.

A few weeks ago, our kids were fighting and driving us crazy. We actually snuck back into my parents’ house and drank their wine while they were out. It was the reverse of sneaking out in high school.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

When I was a little girl, I used to play school and house. I never played Home Healthcare owner. Being a business owner never crossed my mind. I was so fortunate to follow my dreams at different phases of my life. I would love to mentor young women to help them find their passion and figure out what makes them happy. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all for us. Not every woman is meant to stay at home 24/7 in the same way that we aren’t all destined to be a CEO. It’s really difficult to be 22 and decide what you want to do for the rest of your life. We shouldn’t have to. I love that I was able to have different dreams at different times and that I was able to do it all.

What is the best business advice you’ve received?

Jeff Tews and Susan Rather are successful franchisees from Madison, Wis. Their advice was to always appreciate the business you’ve been given and go back and thank those people who sent it your way. Also, to remember the people who work for you who are making your business shine every day.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

On a beach with a view of the ocean. I’ll never forget right before opening our BrightStar Care, we went on our annual vacation. I was so stressed and overwhelmed, I almost backed out of going, but my kids were devastated. The minute I stepped on the sand and looked out into the ocean, my worries seemed so small. It was a very good lesson to me about balance in my life and the importance of rejuvenating your soul.

Whom do you admire?

I admire my husband, Marc. He basically started working full-time when he was 12 to help support his single mom. He knew he wanted to better his life, but going to college was not an option for him. Instead, he developed an amazing work ethic. He does whatever it takes to support his family. He has instilled in our kids the value of hard work. Our son has been working a landscaping job for the past three summers. Most other kids they hire quit after the first day.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People smacking on gum. I learned it is an actual disorder. I was on a flight recently and the man next to me was chomping on his gum the entire flight. It made me absolutely crazy. Just remembering this brings up the feeling of wanting to reach in and yank the gum out of his mouth.

What is something that people might not know about you?

I love to set BHAGs: big, hairy, audacious goals. A few years ago, we went on a tour of the White House, and as we stood behind the velvet ropes, the security guard showed us the Red Room, Blue Room and Green Room. He told us that in the evening, when all the tourists leave, they remove all of the ropes and invited guests can enjoy the rooms. He said, “If you are invited, you can drink red wine and eat a chili dog while sitting on the couch in the Blue Room. “I don’t know if that is true, but trust me, it’s a BHAG!

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