About Senior Living Academy
We teach what we actually do — because we still do it. This is the short version of how SLA came to be.
Brandon started his first business at 15, detailing boats and RVs. He built it to $750,000 a year and went on to build 23 rental properties. Real estate was always the vehicle — but the mission came later.
On a trip to Florida he walked into a residential-style senior care home and it became his life's mission. His mother, Karen, had cared for her disabled brother for more than 40 years. He already knew what real care looked like. He wanted to build more of it.
In 2014 Brandon paid exactly $1,200 for a home study course from Residential Care Gateway. That course became the foundation of Shepherd Premier Senior Living, which operates residential-model care homes in Illinois with one caregiver for every 5 to 8 residents. He runs those homes today.
He later bought Residential Care Gateway. Its curriculum — revised post-COVID and updated for today — is inside SLA. We didn't assemble a course from theory. We packed in the playbook we still use.
Kelli is co-founder and runs the Academy and the member experience. Together we built Senior Living Academy for the people who want to open, own, or scale a boutique senior living home — and serve seniors the way they deserve.
The proof
- 2014Founded Shepherd Premier Senior Living
- IllinoisResidential-model care homes operating since 2014
- 1 to 5–8One caregiver for every 5 to 8 residents
- TodayBrandon still runs those homes
Who you'll work with
Brandon Schwab
Founder & Operator
Still runs Shepherd Premier's homes today. Teaches the operating playbook from the floor, not from a desk.
Kelli Schwab
Co-Founder & Member Experience
Runs the Academy and the member experience — the people side of every home and every cohort.
“Behind every number is a family. Behind every bed is a life. And behind every great senior living home is someone who chose to care.”
Nolan
SLA Coach
Works directly with members on underwriting education and monthly one-on-ones for Premium members.
Senior Living Academy LLC provides education and community only. Results depend on the individual, their market, and their execution, and are not guaranteed. See our Earnings Disclaimer. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, financial, investment, medical, or licensing advice. Verify requirements with your state and licensed professionals. Nothing on this site is an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security or investment, or an offer of financing.