Building While You’re in the Air: The Reality of Starting a Home Care Agency from Scratch

In this episode of Home Health Revealed, we sit down with Mecca Abdul-Aziz, owner of E&M Home Care in Columbus, Ohio, to hear the real story behind building a home care agency from the ground up. Mecca shares how a career shift from marketing and education, paired with a sudden layoff and a growing desire to build something of her own, led her into the home care space. With no prior experience running an agency, she walked through licensing, landing her first client, and quickly realizing what it means to build a business while you are actively learning how to run it. We also talk about the realities that come with growth: hiring caregivers, defining culture, balancing faith and family, and leading with purpose when every decision carries weight. Mecca reflects on what it means to build a mission-driven agency, the importance of trust in home care, and how she thinks about legacy and long-term impact for her family and community. This is a grounded conversation about starting from scratch, learning in real time, and building something meaningful while you are still in motion. Chapters (00:00:03) - How to Start a Home Care Business at 23(00:02:56) - Caregiving as a Step-by-Step Process(00:07:00) - Non-RN Families: Building a Legacy(00:11:13) - OCH Networking Event