From Care Assistant to Business Owner: Gabriela’s Exciting Journey

In her twenties Gabriela Moldovan was a care assistant who loved to see the happiness on people’s faces when she helped them. ‘That always felt like a gift to know I’d made someone’s day a little brighter,’ she recalls. She could never imagine that one day she would be running her own home care business.

Gabriela was 28 when she set up her business along with her sister-in-law Alina. Their Sylvian Care franchise covers Bracknell, Ascot and surrounding areas.

‘I’m a very caring person, that’s just who I am,’ she says. ‘I like to make sure people are safe and can enjoy their day-to-day life. That’s what inspired me to start this business. I wanted to make a difference and to deliver care in the way I want it to be done, in a very caring way.’

The business grew gradually. Gabriela, a mother of two, found that it was helpful to be part of a franchise, receiving continuous support, and knowing that someone was there to help when it was needed.

In 2020 she completed a level 5 management in adult social care. Every step along her exciting journey has felt special.

‘I like to encourage people and I’m supportive,’ she says. ‘When I recruit care professionals, I trust my instincts about people. It's usually clear when someone is just looking for a job, but in care, you really need to love helping people.’

In the early days of business Gabriela provided care herself and still does occasionally.   ‘I miss it, especially the conversations and the closeness with clients,’ she says. ‘We’re a family run business and I see the clients as our family. We aim to make sure everyone enjoys life.

‘Some may not have any family left or their family may be far away, and we are the only people going there every day. Seeing us helps to reduce loneliness and the risk of becoming isolated. When you see that you are making people happy it makes it all worthwhile.’

Gabriela always believes in going the extra mile to help. An elderly client who was housebound couldn’t see out of her window because her front garden was so overgrown. ‘One day I stopped everything, and my registered manager and I went over, and we cut the trees and the grass and cleared it all,’ says Gabriela. ‘When she sat in her chair, she could see out again. She could finally see her neighbours, the cars on the road, people walking past. She was so happy she could barely speak.’

Gabriela has gone shopping for clients who couldn’t go themselves. ‘If I see someone in need I just help,’ she says. ‘That’s what I believe in, showing kindness from the heart.’

She is proud of everything she has achieved. ‘I’ve always worked hard,’ she says. ‘I always want to be successful, the top in what I do. I believe if you put maximum effort into something you can do it. I’ve proved to myself that I can.’