Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhea Cruz-Magpantay
Hi Rhea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in the Philippines and started helping out with my family’s shoemaking business when I was young. I did office tasks and even sold shoes to my classmates and friends. Being around the family business sparked my desire to one day own and run my own business. With that in mind, I decided to study Business Economics at the University of Santo Tomas.
However, believing I could improve my life by working abroad, I took a leap of faith and moved to the U.S. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. While trying to establish myself here, I worked all sorts of jobs. But after being laid off, I decided to go back to school to become a nurse. I was inspired by the nurses who cared for my son, who was born with a congenital heart defect. Becoming my son’s primary caregiver was a turning point for me. I also eventually cared for my father, who battled cancer. These experiences, along with over 20 years in the healthcare industry, fueled my passion for caregiving.
I consider myself lucky because I was able to eventually combine my dream of running a business with my passion for caregiving. In 2022, my brother and I saw an opportunity and bought a caregiving services franchise, 1Heart Caregiver Services, for the Pasadena/San Gabriel area. As the Managing Director, I oversee all aspects of the business to ensure we provide top-notch care.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were a lot of ups and downs. The journey was not smooth at all. One of the biggest challenges was my son’s health condition. As I mentioned, he was born with a congenital heart defect. He had four open-heart surgeries during the first five years of his life. While he’s perfectly healthy now, we went through countless doctor’s visits and hospital stays when he was growing up. This meant many missed days at work and lost income, not to mention the emotional roller coaster that came with it. But we got through all of that, and I know I am a better person because of it. I also believe these challenges are what make life interesting.
As you know, we’re big fans of 1Heart Caregiver Services-Pasadena. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We provide non-medical caregiving services, such as companionship, in-home care, meal preparation, and safety supervision, to Pasadena and nearby cities like Altadena, Arcadia, Duarte, Monrovia, Sierra Madre, Rosemead and Temple City.
As the Managing Director, I ensure we offer our clients the best care possible. For me, “the best care” means the same level of care I would give to my son or dad. This approach is what sets our team apart. We care for our clients as if they were our own family members.
What’s next?
Short term, my goal is to grow the business to a sustainable place where it can support everyone who depends on it. Long term, I aim to acquire and own more businesses. So yes, I’m always on the lookout for opportunities. I know it won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but I am determined to make it happen. I have the support of my family and close friends, and that’s all I need to reach my goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://1heartcares.com/pasadena-ca/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1heartpasadena/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1HeartPasadena/?_rdr
Image Credits
These photos were taken using an iPhone or a personal camera by a 1Heart Caregiver Services team member.
