Building Home, Heart & Hope: Inside Peaceful Pines Residence with Founders Chinal and Bhavini
On this episode of Grit Won’t Quit, Tom sits down with two women whose work is reshaping what memory care can—and should—look like. Business partners and longtime healthcare professionals Chinal and Bhavini are the owners of Peaceful Pines Residence Memory Care Community, a boutique, heart-centered residence designed for individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory-related conditions.
Referred to the show by former guest (and apparently everyone’s favorite person) Kathleen Hala, the duo joins the conversation to share their journey from decades in healthcare to building a home where safety, dignity, and warmth come first.
A 25-Year Journey to Discovering Their Purpose
Before opening Peaceful Pines, both women spent more than two decades in healthcare. Their backgrounds range from business management to hands-on clinical work—including clinical trials for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease—giving them an intimate look into the needs of patients and the emotional burden families face.
That experience ultimately pushed them toward their true calling.
“It took us 25 years to get here and find what we wanted to do that was meaningful. We wanted to make even a little difference in the community.”
And a difference they are making.
Day One: Excitement, Nerves & A Whole New Reality
When the pair officially took over the 15-bed Peaceful Pines facility, the excitement was real—but so were the nerves.
Despite their deep understanding of healthcare and business, stepping into 24/7 responsibility for someone’s loved ones came with weight.
“We walked in and thought, ‘Okay… this is it. We’re on our own. And we are the help.’”
Luckily, they inherited a strong team and spent time learning the rhythms of the residence before taking ownership. Still, it quickly became clear that running a memory care community isn’t just operations—it’s heart work.
A Boutique Model Focused on Dignity & Daily Life
From day one, they shared a very intentional mission:
Make Peaceful Pines feel like home—not a facility
Provide individualized care, not one-size-fits-all
Preserve dignity, especially for residents who cannot always communicate their needs
Make families feel safe, supported, and connected
They remind their employees of one foundational idea:
“We are in their home. Not the other way around.”
That mindset shapes everything—from care plans to activities to how staff interacts with residents.
Growing With Purpose: Expansion & Future Franchising
After a year and a half of steady growth, Peaceful Pines is preparing for its next chapter: expanding from 15 to 25 beds.
The best part?
The expansion will be right next door—allowing continuity for residents, staff, and families.
But the vision doesn’t stop there.
Their five-year plan:
→ Perfect their model
→ Build the right team and systems
→ Then franchise into other states
“We want to get it down to the right formula. The right people. The right education for staff. And then bring this model to other communities.”
The Secret? The Right People
Of all the challenges they face, staffing is the most important—and the most delicate. Not everyone can work in this field. It requires patience, compassion, intuition, and genuine connection.
“You can’t just work for money in healthcare. You have to have your heart in the right place.”
To protect their residents, they are deeply selective. If someone isn’t the right fit—even after a month—they let them go.
Their guiding priority is clear:
Residents must feel safe, cared for, and loved at all times.
Family First—Always
One of the most meaningful initiatives they’ve launched is monthly family events—music nights, bingo nights, shared meals—to help families stay close, informed, and involved.
These gatherings also help families build community with one another.
“They’re all going through the same thing. They need each other, too.”
How Peaceful Pines Reaches the Families Who Need Them
New residents often find Peaceful Pines through:
rehab centers
A Place for Mom
physicians
word of mouth
social media (targeted to adult children caring for aging parents)
With an active presence on Instagram and Facebook, they regularly share updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes looks at community life.
What’s Ahead for Peaceful Pines
Between their expansion, tightening operational systems, and long-term vision for franchising, the future looks bright.
They aren’t chasing luxury cars or flashy entrepreneurial wins. They’re building something far more meaningful:
A home.
A community.
A place where families feel peace—and residents feel love.
Connect With Peaceful Pines Residence
Website: peacefulpinesnj.com
Facebook: Peaceful Pines Residence
Phone: 732-204-7321 (Call to schedule a tour)
If you or someone you know is navigating memory care decisions, Peaceful Pines is a place full of heart—and worth a closer look.
This podcast episode was filmed at Wingman Planning in Belmar.
