Howard Coff has spent his career leading with wisdom, good judgment, and an enduring sense of purpose. He’s built and operated a Visiting Angels home-care agency in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania with his wife. Howard was there at the founding of the business in 2004 and stayed until its recent sale in 2019
Over that time, the franchise grew from a concept into a valued part of the community for families seeking reliable care for their loved ones. The work was hard, but it allowed Howard to build something that really mattered to him and that served his community
Besides, running the franchise required a wide range of skills Howard helped lead the business through hiring, training, financial oversight, and community outreach, to name just a few areas. His pragmatic leadership approach enabled the organization to regain some sense of normalcy in an arena often filled with high stress and urgency
In 2015, the franchise was honored with the Zenith Award, being named one of the top private-duty home-care agencies among 450-plus franchises nationwide It is a recognition that reflects years of consistent work, strong internal systems, and a standard of care that families noticed and trusted
Building a Business Grounded in Real-World Experience
Howard's work at Visiting Angels was influenced by the fact that he wasn't in an office managing other people, but rather interacted daily with clients, caregivers, and the local community This meant he knew families needed reliable support, which allowed him to build a team that could deliver it with care and professionalism
He emphasized operational clarity and financial responsibility as the practical foundation that allowed caregivers to concentrate on their clientele rather than as abstract ideals Having operated a service business himself, he certainly knows what it takes to run such an enterprise. Through that time, he learned to balance risk with opportunity, interpret financial signals early on, and create a workplace where staff want to participate and grow.
Commitment to Helping New Entrepreneurs
After selling his business in 2019, Howard chose a path that would allow him to share what he had learned
He became a certified mentor with SCORE, the national organization affiliated with the Small Business Administration. Since 2017, he has been volunteering with SCORE and continues to mentor entrepreneurs who are launching or improving their businesses.
He typically collaborates with new businesses in the home care industry, as he understands the challenges and costs associated with an agency model His advice is realistic and sincere, based on what he used during his fifteen years as a franchise owner.
Through SCORE, Howard has met would-be entrepreneurs from all walks of life Some have a detailed concept in hand; many don't have a clue where to begin – just that they want to create something. Howard thrives on meeting clients at any stage and laying out clear steps to improve their business plans, operations, or financial structures. He views mentorship as an opportunity to offer the kind of support he would have wanted when he first stepped into business ownership
Service to the Community
Outside of his business activities, Howard has volunteered for various community initiatives Together with his wife, they helped out for many years at the June Fete, a popular annual fundraiser for Abington Hospital (now part of Jefferson Health).
Money raised from the event supports programs that benefit patients in the community Rather than episodic volunteering, Howard’s approach has been characterized by ongoing commitment He believes it is worthwhile to support all institutions that provide essential services, especially those that involve the patient's health and overall care.
Professional Strengths That Continue to Shape His Work
Howard has a cross-functional background in small business development, finance management, operations, and relationship building He understands what it takes to lead a company from infancy through growth and transition His background in home care also gives him insight into an industry where trust, organization, and staffing stability are essential
In addition, Howard still helps founders think through risk and reward, or in other words, what decisions could permanently impact their long-term plan He takes finance and compliance seriously, as they are what fuel the stability of any business
Howard similarly understands branding and customer relationships, considering his own franchise was only successful because of good visibility and regular engagement in the local community These qualities make him a trustworthy advisor to founders looking to build sustainable businesses
A Continued Focus on Growth and Service
Howard has approached each stage of his career with the same unwavering philosophy he applied to running the franchise: formulating systems that made daily work easier, and providing people with reasonable, actionable counsel.
His years of experience in home care taught him the importance of dependable service, while working with SCORE lets him share those lessons with the next generation of entrepreneurs.
His story perfectly exemplifies steady perseverance, thoughtful leadership, and a willingness to help others succeed For Howard, success has come through consistent effort, strong relationships, and a focus on work that impacts other people’s lives, whether mentoring an entrepreneur or contributing to the entire community.
