BrightStar Care Named Fastest Growing Women-Owned Company for Second Consecutive Year

Online, May 11, 2012 (Newswire.com) - BrightStar Care, a full-service home healthcare and medical staffing agency with more than 250 offices nationwide, was recently named the fastest growing women-owned company in North America, according to the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), in partnership with American Express OPEN, the small business division of American Express.

BrightStar Care co-founder and CEO Shelly Sun saw her 10-year-old company's revenue double from $51.7 million in 2009 to nearly $157 million in 2011. In addition, BrightStar Care added 66 new offices and 2,664 jobs in 2011.

"I am honored and thrilled for BrightStar to receive this recognition," said Sun, whose company secured the top honor for the second consecutive year. "Our continued growth and stability are a testament to the hard work and commitment of our 200 owners and 8,000 caregivers make every day to making more possible in the lives of our clients and their families."

Founded in 2002, BrightStar Care is a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides the full continuum of care, from homecare to supplemental staffing for corporate clients such as hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors offices. In August 2005, BrightStar Care launched its franchise opportunity, becoming the first franchise in the United States to specialize in both medical and non-medical care and healthcare staffing.

BrightStar has grown from one company-owned store to more than 250 locations in 38 states.

"According to our recent State of Women-Owned Businesses report, women-owned enterprises continue to grow and account for 29% of all companies in the United States," said Sarah Forger, manager of customer advocacy at American Express OPEN. "We are thrilled to showcase the successes of our fifty honorees, including Shelly Sun, in order to inspire other women to build high-growth businesses."

All eligible companies were ranked according to a sales growth formula that combines percentage and absolute growth. Qualified businesses are required to be privately held, woman-owned/led companies in the United States or Canada and have reached revenue of at least $500,000 by the first week of 2007 and $2 million in 2011.

About BrightStar Care

Based in Chicago, BrightStar Care® is a full-service care staffing agency that provides medical and non-medical homecare to private clients, as well as supplemental care staff to corporate clients. Our well-qualified, attentive caregivers at each of our 250 locally owned and operated locations nationwide provide peace of mind to clients and their families. We work to understand the needs of our clients and provide a customized care plan to match them with a qualified, pre-screened caregiver who is compatible with their needs. BrightStar Care® is one of the few home care providers that offers both medical and non-medical homecare, available to all clients 24/7.

For more information about the BrightStar Care® franchise opportunity visit www.brightstarcare.com or call (877) 689-6898.

About Shelly Sun

Shelly Sun was selected as the International Franchise Association's (IFA) Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009, becoming not only the youngest recipient of this impressive award, but also only the second female recipient. In 2011, Shelly and BrightStar were featured on the hit CBS series "Undercover Boss." She was also recognized by the Women Presidents Organization and American Express Open as #1 in their Top 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Led Organizations in 2011, moving up from #2 in 2010. Shelly recently published her first book, Grow Smart, Risk Less - a low-capital path to multiplying your business through franchising, where she discusses her journey as an emerging franchisor through amazing growth, lessons learned and game-changing ideas.