Name: Linda J. Grigerek
Occupation: Founder and president of Companions & Homemakers, Inc.
Location of Business: Farmington
Accomplishments: Grigerek attended Keene State College and founded Companions and Homemakers in 1990. She is a winner of the Better Business Bureau’s Superior Service Award and Marketplace Excellence Award; winner of the Connecticut Law Tribune’s “Best of Homecare Companies” 2007-2009, and is the founding Connecticut chapter president of the National Private Duty Association.
Who was your most influential role model, and why?
My Dad, Richard Johnson. He had a strong sense of right and wrong and the courage of his convictions. When he was older, he had to change careers. He went from the auto industry to becoming a gold courier traveling to Argentina, Bolivia, and other countries he knew nothing about. It was a life-changing move for him. Nonetheless, he did it with ease and became a much more interesting person because of it.
Why are you good at what you do?
Growing up, I did not consider myself particularly good at anything. However, I believe strongly in the power of self-improvement. The goal is to try to get better. I don’t concentrate on the bottom line, nor do I get lost in all the data that blurs the mission of our company — keeping older adults in their own homes for as long as they choose to remain there. By focusing on the quality of the services we provide, the rest takes care of itself.
How does your organization give back to the community, and what role have you played in those efforts?
We provide complimentary services to seniors who fall between the cracks of complex government subsidies. We promote education on the benefits of custodial home care in contrast to the medical-institutional model. We take an active role legislatively to advocate for the rights of seniors. I had some personal experience with the Connecticut probate court system where my elderly aunt was stripped of her rights to make decisions personally. These important hearings were not recorded, stenographically or otherwise. A few years ago we worked with the Connecticut General Assembly to ensure that, at a minimum, these hearings are taped for the record. We also work with many non-profit charitable entities such as the Alzheimer’s Association, MS Society, Salvation Army, and the Area Agencies on Aging.
What has inspired you in your career or where do you draw your daily inspiration?
I have always been inspired in my career by people who do not take themselves too seriously and just move forward with the work at hand. I am fortunate that the work that we do by helping older adults remain independent at home provides me with daily stories and inspiration. I have a great team of people who share the company mission and work as hard — if not harder than I do — to keep the quality of the services we deliver sustainable. I am encouraged each day by the devotion our caregivers have toward our elderly clients. Through their efforts, simple daily tasks are accomplished. This, in turn, can mean the difference between a person remaining independent at home or being placed in an institution.
How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life? Give an example or two.
I utilize technology to serve my needs. I am not a slave to it. For example, I don’t carry a cell phone and I enjoy the quiet of travel time in my car. “No meetings on Wednesday” has been a great way to catch up mid-week. I brought some of the joys of home to the office: I have a birdfeeder outside my window at work and we have a company garden out back. We promote wellness throughout the company, whether in the form of free yoga classes or complementary physical condition assessments.
