Interviews with purpose-driven leaders who are dedicated to helping others and making a positive impact in the world.
June 26, 2023
Christie Stukenholtz | Senior Care Finder
TELL US, WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO?
Hello! I’m Christie Stukenholtz, co-founder, and CEO of Senior Care Finder, on a mission to transform the way individuals search, compare, and find the best senior living or care.
Finding senior living or care isn’t exactly the most exciting dinner conversation – especially as that conversation oftentimes comes with emotion and/or occurs during a crisis. It’s something no one wants to think about and ultimately leaves individuals feeling lost, confused, and vulnerable. So, we created SeniorCareFinder.com, a platform to give individuals the tools to make the right decision, confidently.
SeniorCareFinder.com is the nation’s most comprehensive, trusted, free online marketplace of all senior living and care providers. We are an intuitive and innovative platform that directly connects individuals seeking senior living or care with their very best options. Best of all – they don’t have to register or give out any contact information. The connection is directly between the provider and the individual, through our platform. Our goal is to simplify this experience and provide a tool that feels familiar and easy to understand. Think Zillow, but for senior living and care.
HOW DID YOU GET HERE?
My professional background spans the globe. I’ve lived and worked in both China and Spain and spent a decade doing business in Europe and Asia, and establishing a Latin America presence for a US-based human capital firm. I then led all operations for a full-service market research company.
It wasn’t until going through my own experience of trying to find care for my grandmother, states away, that I found my true calling. I knew there had to be a better, more effective way to search, compare, and find the best senior living or care. This became the impetus for the creation of SeniorCareFinder.com – a platform that directly connects individuals searching with their very best options. Our platform allows individuals to search by location or provider name, compare quality ratings and amenities, and share their favorites with loved ones before contacting their preferred options directly. Providers are also elated to finally have a resource to help them cut through the clutter and promote their unique services to their target audience, making the platform a win-win for everyone.
WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR? WHY IS THIS WORK IMPORTANT TO YOU?
At Senior Care Finder, we aren’t just a company, we are a community. I prioritize the well-being and growth of our team, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to provide an exceptional experience to our users and providers alike. Together, we strive to make a positive impact on the world and ease the worries of those on the search for senior living or care.
My goal is to challenge the norms and spark innovation in an industry that often lags behind. I am committed to shaking things up, pushing boundaries, and championing a new era of senior living and care that puts the consumer first.
WHAT IMPACT ARE YOU MAKING?
We hear from thousands of consumers the relief and appreciation they have for our platform. They are comforted to have finally been able to make sense of this confusing industry at a life-altering time. It’s a relief to have all of the information available in one place, with no strings attached. Having once been the person that our parents took care of, now being the one to care for them is a difficult shift to navigate. SeniorCareFinder.com is here to support them on this journey.
One of the most inspiring quotes came from a person who had recently used our platform: “As someone who spent the last several years trying to navigate this world, and immediately just found the place where my mom is now living a thousand miles away… your service is not only sleek, direct and easy to use, it’s going to do a lot of good in the world.”
WHAT (OR WHO) INSPIRES YOU TO DO THIS WORK?
My grandmother was the initial inspiration for Senior Care Finder. But now, my inspiration comes from a few other places too, including my colleagues at Senior Care Finder who show up every day to connect with senior living and care providers, as well as the individuals on the search. These team members are making a huge difference every single day and I am in awe of their talent, tenacity, and commitment to changing the world.
My parents are also an inspiration. Aging is inevitable, and I know there will come a time when Senior Care Finder becomes a resource for them. I sleep well knowing we have created something that will help millions of families just like mine.
My husband and children are my greatest inspiration. I want to show my children that it’s important to work hard on something you believe in and that it’s okay to fail. I also want to lead by example, being a servant leader for our family, community, and world.
WHAT’S YOUR VISION, YOUR BIG DREAM FOR THE IMPACT YOU WANT TO MAKE?
Be THE household name and the most trusted and reliable resource for those searching for senior living and care options in the U.S. and beyond.
Provide the highest quality connections to the highest quality providers.
Hear from millions of individuals, telling us we made a difficult time in their life, much easier.
Build a thriving company, full of talented people, passionate about our mission with the desire to make a global impact.
WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOU FACING?
We face many of the same challenges as many other startup companies. Scalability, cash flow, talent, development, etc. But our greatest challenge is to continue to think ahead, proactively identifying future problems and enhancements to ensure we provide the best customer experience.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CAUSE AND/OR THE WORK YOU’RE DOING?
We are here for you! You no longer need to rely on random searches or word of mouth to research, evaluate, and get the answers you need. And you don’t have to start by receiving or making dozens of phone calls. SeniorCareFinder.com is your one-stop resource to help you search, compare, and directly connect with your best options. We aim to give you the breadth and depth of up-to-date information to feel in control of the decision, so you can know you made the right choice.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUOTE OR WORDS OF INSPIRATION TO SHARE?
“Above all, it’s the quality of your relationships that will determine the quality of your life. Invest in your connections, even those that seem inconsequential.” -Esther Perel
HOW CAN OTHERS SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR CAUSE?
If you know someone who is navigating the world of senior living or care options, tell them to go to SeniorCareFinder.com.
If you know a senior living or care provider who is trying to reach individuals that are searching for the best options, tell them to go to SeniorCareFinder.com.
If you know great talent who wants to work for a fast-paced, purpose-driven organization, tell them to go to SeniorCareFinder.com.
At Orapin, we believe those who are working for the greater good should be known, supported, and celebrated. We help purpose-driven organizations launch or up-level their PR program by giving them the strategy, resources, and support they need to increase awareness and expand their impact. If would like to be featured in INSPIRED IMPACT™, reach out to hello@orapin.co.