We had the good fortune of connecting with Nichole (Nikki) Illingworth-Muller and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nichole (Nikki), can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am from a small town in Upstate New York where everyone knows everyone and family values are strong. I was raised by my grandparents and I think that is what started my love for being around the elderly. It was their kind and loving ways that showed me how different it was to be loved unconditionally by a grandparent. At a young age I learned how to cook many family recipes, how to store vegetables in the root cellar, how to grow some of your own foods and really how to have a strong and honest work ethic.

So I think, being raised in that “old fashion” manner really laid the foundation for the business that I run today, caring for the elderly in their homes, in a kind and compassionate way, giving them the respect and dignity they deserve.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I saw that there was a need out there that no one else was meeting and I set out to fulfill that need. I witnessed how trends, rules and regulations in the industry had impacted both the Care Provider and Senior population. It had created and huge gap between the people who needed care services at home and those who would provide the care. I then researched, consulted with other trusted individuals from the health care industry, surveyed past and present clients and of course consulted my attorney. It was on that solid foundation that I built the idea of It Takes A Village Senior Care.

I became involved in my local community. I’m on the board or directors for the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce for the past 4 years. I’ve been part of the Seal Beach Lions Club for 15 + years and this year Im the 3rd VP. Last year I was voted Seal Beach Business person of the year for 2022-2023. I believe by giving back to the community I service, that it directly feeds back into my business.

It absolutely was not easy at first to step into a very structured and regulated industry and just say, “here we are”. We spent months educating people on what a referral agency was and what we could provide to our target market. We still spend a lot of time doing that today, but now most of our referral sources and the local community understand what a huge benefit it is to be with a company that provides services like ours that helps individuals to have the freedom to manage and control their own care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the City of Seal Beach. It’s where I have had my business for the past 20 years and where I feel most at home. I love having a causal bite to eat at The Abbey or a crafted Moscow Mule at 320 Main. Wine Wednesday at The Boat House is always great or a nice sit down dinner at Walts Warf, with the best seafood around. Then heading down to the Seal Beach pier to take a nice walk and feel the ocean breeze. The beach here is my favorite as well. Its never over crowded and there is always room to set up the volleyball net a play a game or two.

All the little family owned small businesses that line Seal Beach’s Main St. is like no other. Or attending an event put on by the local Seal Beach Lions Club is always a good time. You’ll see local law enforcement around town engaging with business owners, locals walking dogs on the greenbelt, people having ice cream from local places and laughing…Seal Beach is my favorite place to be in Southern California and I feel lucky to have my business here and to be a part of this tight-knit community.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would absolutely dedicate my success, soft and kind nature, perseverance, grit and never quit attitude to my grandparents, the late Robert and Alice Illingworth

Website: www.ItTakesAVillageSeniorCare.com

Instagram: ItTakesAVillageSeniorCare

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItTakesAVillageSeniorCareInc

Yelp: It Takes A Village Senior Care

Other: Google: It Takes A Village Senior Care

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me

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