Dr. Frances Richards is a storyteller at heart. Through her company, Arlean Richards Media, she works globally to preserve the legacies of individuals diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s and dementia. Her company captures these stories before memories fade, offering families a lasting record of their loved ones’ lives. Additionally, they conduct asset inventory and documentation to safeguard against memory loss, theft, or disasters. As Dr. Richards puts it, “We capture a piece of your mind and give you peace of mind.”
A Career Rooted in Storytelling
Dr. Richards’ journey into legacy preservation is a full-circle moment. With a background in broadcasting, she worked for major networks like ABC and NBC before transitioning into higher education. In 2017, she launched her own business focusing on podcasting. However, the tragic loss of her husband in 2022 led her to a new calling: audio family legacy recordings. Realizing the importance of preserving personal stories for future generations, she expanded her business to focus on capturing these invaluable memories.
Addressing a Growing Need
While Arlean Richards Media offers legacy recordings to anyone, Dr. Richards saw a significant gap in services for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. She recognized a rise in cases within the community and, drawing from her work in the biotech space, began exploring ways to support these individuals and their families. Her approach ensures that precious memories are preserved before they are lost forever.
The Recording Process: Customizing Every Story
Each audio family legacy recording is customized based on the client’s needs. Dr. Richards tailors the sessions for individuals, couples, or families, facilitating the conversations herself. Some recordings are even stored in the Library of Congress for historical preservation. Whether capturing personal reflections, embedding photos, or turning stories into books, her company offers a fully personalized experience. The key, she says, is “pulling the story out” and ensuring the true essence of an individual is preserved.
The Mental Health Benefits of Legacy Recording
Beyond the sentimental value, capturing personal histories can have significant mental health benefits. While not yet scientifically proven, Dr. Richards has observed that individuals with Alzheimer’s often retain long-term memories even as short-term recollections fade. Recalling personal stories and listening to past recordings can offer comfort and familiarity. In some cases, clients have even shown improved memory recall after participating in these recordings.
How Families Can Start Capturing Their Own Stories
For those who may not yet be ready for professional services, Dr. Richards encourages families to start documenting memories on their own. Recording casual conversations at family gatherings or preparing a set of guided questions can be a simple yet powerful way to preserve history.
The Power of Community: WBEC-West
Dr. Richards is deeply involved with WBEC-West, having recently served as vice chair in Nevada. She praises the organization for its supportive network of women business owners, calling it “the gift that keeps on giving.” WBEC-West provides invaluable resources, mentorship, and a sense of community, helping women at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey thrive.
Leaving a Lasting Impact
Through Arlean Richards Media, Dr. Frances Richards is not just preserving memories—she’s ensuring that legacies live on for generations to come. Her work is a testament to the power of storytelling, the importance of community, and the profound impact of capturing a person’s history before it’s too late. To learn more, visit her webiste at https://www.drfrancesrichards.com/ and listen to her full journey on Women in Motion now: https://businessradiox.com/podcast/women-in-motion/power-of-storytelling/
About Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West (WBEC-West)
WBEC-West is a regional partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), a coalition of corporations, WBEs, and regionally focused women’s business organizations. As an affiliate organization, WBEC-West implements the certification standards of WBENC throughout Arizona, Colorado, Southern California, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Hawaii, and Guam. WBENC is the largest certifier of women’s business enterprises in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs. WBENC certification is nationally recognized and accepted by more than 10,000 major corporations. We also support corporations in their efforts to include WBENC Certified WBEs in their supply chain.
