Meet the Team: Cristina Grancea, Founder & CEO of Sylvian Care

Tell us about yourself. What was your background before joining Sylvian? 

My background is in social care; I have a degree in social work and have worked with different age categories, including people with learning disabilities and children in child protection. But I couldn’t see myself in the industry until I reached retirement and had a strong interest in psychology. I thought ‘let’s explore in that direction’.

I gave up my social work role and pursued a master’s degree in psychology. I found it fascinating, but again - it wasn’t my forever career.  

I have a very personal experience with later-life care. My grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in her seventies and was no longer able to stay in her own home, despite not wanting to leave. At the time there were no home care services available to help, so she moved between different family members. This, I think, left her feeling like a burden. She often cried and spoke about wanting to return home. I felt so sad and helpless - all I wanted was for her to be happy. She eventually made the decision to move back into her own home, where she passed away a few months later.  

I think about how different her last few years could have been if she had access to home care. She could have stayed in her own home the entire time, received professional care, and could have been visited by her children and grandchildren, rather than us being her caregivers. The struggle she faced gave me a deep sense of purpose and is a huge part of what drove me to create this company. I know she would be so proud of Sylvian Care. 

What does an average day at Sylvian look like for you? 

There is no average day at Sylvian – every day is different! One day I might be out networking, meeting other professionals or, even now, over a decade on, undergoing further skills training. Despite eleven, almost twelve years in this business, I still feel there’s more to learn. I’m still reading about business, educating myself on sales and marketing, and other ways I can improve. Some days the focus is on accountancy, franchise support, and strategy. It’s impossible to get bored in this industry. 

Do you have any personal anecdotes or memories that stand out since founding Sylvian Care? 

There’s so many to recall! I think what I remember most is the very start of the business. As an owner, you wear all the hats; I was the manager, admin, HR - all departments in one.  

My favourite part, however, was visiting clients in their own homes and hearing their stories. Most had very interesting houses filled with memories, such as things they collected from their travels. I remember we had a lady who had hundreds of elephants from all over the world; different shapes; some were soft toys whilst others were ceramic or metal. Every country she visited, she found an item to remind her of that place, in the form of an elephant.  

My favourite memories of the time I’ve spent building this business are the interactions with the clients and their stories. 

What is the most rewarding part of working here? 

The most rewarding part is knowing that you’re making a difference in people’s lives. From the early days where I was playing multiple roles, meeting clients directly, recruiting staff and managing a team, my involvement has changed a lot. As we set out on the path of franchising, my focus shifted to supporting our franchisees. Knowing that we can impact people’s lives, by helping them to build businesses which deliver exceptional care - it’s what keeps us doing what we do. 

What do you think makes Sylvian stand out in the elder care provider market? 

What helps us stand out is our ethos, which is focused on buildings relationships. I’ve seen a lot of negative examples of care in the past, before starting my own business. The care was very clinical and almost treating people as objects. Carers would talk about them in their presence as if they were not there. Building our relationship with the clients, the families, the carers and with other professionals – it’s what helps us stand out.  

We’ve aimed to reflect that in our branding – warm, vibrant, and sharing moments of joy – never clinical. It is very different from everything else in the market. But most of all it’s our people who set us apart. They put everything into what they do - the relationships they build, the happiness they bring to people – that’s what truly makes Sylvian stand out. 

At Sylvian Care, everything we do is rooted in compassion, dignity and meaningful connection. If you’re exploring the opportunity to build your own care business, we’d love to speak with you.

👉 Get in touch today to learn more about Sylvian Care and how we can support you.

Written by Luke Donley for Sylvian Care Franchising.