By Thomas A, Parmalee
Every lone worker deserves to feel safe and supported while doing the essential work that keeps our communities running, including those who work in home care, according to Stephen Luke, president and head of sales at SoloProtect.
“We’re helping people feel protected and confident while they work. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our technology can be the difference in someone’s day, or even their life,” Luke said. “That’s what drives us, and it’s why we continue to raise the standards on what being a market leader is about.”
The company, which offers an array of solutions that include a panic alarm, man-down alarm and other tools can save an employee in trouble, is on a mission to protect workers who often find themselves alone.
Home care professionals, while often overlooked, face real risks, such as having to contend with abusive or aggressive clients and family members, entering a client’s home alone, suffering an injury when helping a client, handling sharp objects and pharmaceuticals, as well as slips and falls.
We recently caught up with Luke, who shared how he made his way to the company, the pain points SoloProtect seeks to address for home care agencies and more.
First, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you ended up as president of SoloProtect.
I’ve spent much of my career in the service and technology sectors, leading teams focused on delivering high-impact solutions that genuinely can transform people’s lives. My passion has always been to help people and make a difference – that’s what initially attracted me to SoloProtect. I saw how our innovative technology combined with my values could make a difference in people’s safety. So, I joined the organization five years ago as a growth consultant and in my current role as president, I’m focused on scaling our impact, enhancing our client experience and continuing to evolve our solutions to make a difference in people’s lives.
Did your company design your solutions for home care – or did you realize you could serve that market after introducing it to others?
SoloProtect actually developed its first safety solution with home care professionals in mind. Our initial product was an ID badge holder with a discreet panic button on the back – perfect because most home care providers are required to wear an ID badge. This design made it easy to carry without drawing attention, and it quickly became the market leader in keeping home care professionals safe.
Can you outline the solutions you provide for the home care market and why they are so important?
Our solutions are designed to be simple and easy to use. We offer a range of touchscreen devices – including our popular ID badge device – that feel familiar, much like using a smartphone. One standout feature is that our devices connect to any cellular network, not just one provider, so home care professionals stay connected no matter where their day takes them. This enables the end-user to always stay connected regardless of where they’re located – a helpful feature specifically meant for home health professionals who are in various cellular coverages throughout their day.
What are some of the most common questions you get from home care professionals about your products/services – and what are the answers?
We often get asked about how easy our devices are to use. That concern is usually put to rest once they see how intuitive and user-friendly our touchscreen interfaces are. Connectivity is another common question, especially in rural areas with limited cellular coverage – however, our devices connect to multiple cellular networks, so staying connected isn’t an issue.
What does pricing look like for the typical home care agency?
Our solutions are tailored to the specific needs of each organization, so pricing can vary depending on multiple factors like the type of device and the level of service needed. But, like our devices, we simplify the pricing and not let cost be a barrier to keeping someone safe! A direct consultation with our team to understand the safety needs and build a solution based around that would yield accurate pricing.
Your company focuses on workers, but are you exploring how consumers might use your solutions as well?
Yes! We understand that our solutions can have greater reach and impact within the B2C market, so we are currently working on a platform that is more consumer-friendly while keeping the integrity of our commercial offering.
Everyone’s comfort level with technology is a bit different … how easy is it to use your products/solutions?
Our solutions are intentionally designed to be simple and intuitive. We understand in an actual emergency, people can react very differently – whether it’s fight, flight, or freeze – so our priority is to remove complexity. All our devices use familiar touchscreen interfaces, similar to a smartphone, to ensure users feel comfortable. But at a critical moment, it’s as easy as pressing a single button and help is immediately on the way.
How many home care agencies/professionals do you work with – and how does the home care market compare with your other verticals?
We partner with a diverse range of home care agencies both large and small throughout the country. While I can’t share specific numbers, I can say home care is one of our fastest growing markets. Compared to our other sectors like utilities and manufacturing, the home care space stands out due to its unique safety challenges. We’re excited to continue to bring on new partnerships with our innovative safety solutions to keep our home health professionals safe!
SoloProtect is owned by the Broady family, U.S. investors with a proven track record of developing growth in recurring revenue and technology businesses. What other businesses or areas are they involved in – and what drew them to home care?
The Broady family is a seasoned U.S. investor known for growing tech businesses with real impact. This made SoloProtect a perfect fit due to its strong growth potential and meaningful mission. Their interest in home care stems from recognizing the urgent safety needs of lone workers, they view it as a smart investment and an opportunity to support a workforce in need with simple, effective safety solutions.
