This month we’re pleased to introduce you to the Small family: Ross, Sonia and their children Gabrielle and Ross, Jr. The Smalls have lived in a few different places in their lifetime but said the best move they’ve ever made was moving to Marple.
Ross and Sonia settled in Broomall in 2006. The area was full of fond memories for Ross, who was raised in Newtown Square. Sonia, who grew up in Ipswich, England, fell in love with the area after visiting many of Ross’s friends and family here.
Originally from Upper Darby, Ross and his family moved to Newtown Square in 1973. They’d been looking for a bigger home with more land as they kept acquiring more animals. A house on Hickory Lane was perfect for the Smalls and the home remained in the family until 2013. While he was growing up, Ross’s parents added more animals to their brood including a golden palomino, a morgan horse and a few cats and dogs.
Ross attended Alice Grimm Elementary and Marple Jr. High and later graduated from Marple Newtown High School. During high school, he kept busy with an after-school job in dining services at Dunwoody Village. When he took the job, he had no idea it would ultimately lead to an interest in working with the elderly population. “The experience really guided me towards a rewarding career in the long-term care for seniors field,” Ross explained.
As a high school student, Ross said that he didn’t consider himself all that studious. “I wasn’t even sure I wanted to attend college,” he said. But after some encouragement from his mom and grandmother, Ross decided to attend Penn State University’s Lima campus for two years before transferring to their main campus, where he earned a degree in Health Care Policy and Administration with a minor in gerontology. Then, in 2005, Ross obtained a Professional Human Resources (PHR) certification from Villanova University.
From 1989 through 2021 Ross worked in long-term care communities, starting off as a healthcare administrator with licenses in both skilled nursing and assisted living administration. For more than 15 years he was the director of Human Resources, first at The Quadrangle in Haverford and later at
Freedom Village Brandywine in West Brandywine PA. “My love of caring for people gravitated toward the teams who cared for the residents,” he said.
The pandemic led to some changes in the long-term care industry, leading Ross to shift careers a bit. Today, he is the Human Resources Director for Levante Brewing in West Chester PA, where he is able to help employees be successful at work by coaching and mentoring them through various challenges. “Being a positive and professional leader has always been most important to me,” said Ross. “I love to lead by example and have
worked with so many amazing and like-minded individuals.” He may also get to enjoy a free beer at the end of a workday!
Although Ross is enjoying his current role, he said he misses the long-term care field sometimes. “Being away from the senior living industry the past few years has reminded me of how much I miss serving seniors,” he said. “I am always open to new challenges in that field.”
Ross also has a love of all things automotive, especially late 60s to early 70s muscle cars and National Hot Rod Association top fuel cars and racing. “One of my absolute favorite things is to see the reaction of someone who has never witnessed an 11,000 horsepower top fuel car from 20 feet away,” said Ross. “It’s a full-body experience for the senses. Priceless!”
Ross’s wife Sonia may not share a love of muscle cars, but she does share that same passion for helping seniors. So much so that in 2018, she co-founded Your Place Your Way, a company that provides personalized, in-home care for the aging population.
Before opening her own company, Sonia spent most of her career in the medical device business. She moved to the United States from England in her twenties and worked as a sales trainer. Over the years Sonia worked for a few different medical device companies including Game Ready, whose products focus on rehab and recovery for athletes.
It was a health scare in 2009 that led Sonia to where she is today, co-owner of Your Place Your Way. Not only was she battling cancer but she realized she wasn’t as passionate about the medical device industry. “I was really looking to do something that could make a difference in people’s lives,” she explained.
During that time Sonia happened to meet Macaira Koch who was also battling cancer. “We became friends and finally after years of talking about a business that takes care of older people in their homes, we finally said: Let’s do it!” They opened Your Place Your Way in 2018 and since then have been bringing uplifting companion care to clients in this area. “Both Macaira and I were blessed, grateful and armed as cancer survivors and we decided to use our second chance on life to start a company that offered a service to those in need,” she added.
For Sonia and Macaira it was important to offer not just a physical service, but a spiritual one that benefitted both the clients and the employees. “Your Place Your Way has been thriving with the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit!” Sonia said proudly. “I am always thinking about new ways to improve people’s lives with how the company works or with a new business idea!” (See Sonia’s local home care agency at: ypyw.org)
Although Ross is not technically part of Sonia’s business, she said that he is there for every challenge and his expertise with the elderly population has been so helpful. “He’s my Solomon,” she said. The two met back when Sonia was working in sales. “We crossed paths at a Chamber of Commerce dinner,” Ross recalled.“Sonia’s boss was trying to get her to sell me some products. I was far more interested in the lovely saleswoman herself!” “I definitely thought Ross was cute,” added Sonia. “We were friends for a while and he was a bit persistent about asking me out.” When she needed a partner for a square dancing event, she thought she’d ask him… as a friend. Sonia explained that the event got canceled, so instead Ross invited her to dinner. “I saw him in a different way after that,” she said. “It was like a veil had been lifted!”
Ross and Sonia married in 1998 and lived in both New Jersey and Feasterville before moving to Marple in 2006. Not only was it a perfect location as Ross was working just down the road in Haverford at the time, but moving here also meant they were closer to many Marple Newtown friends. Ross
stayed connected with many friends since high school who he and Sonia frequently got together with. “It was a dream come true when we moved back here because we always commuted back to Delco to see everyone!” said Ross. Broomall was also convenient for Sonia, as she was able to quickly get on major highways to commute to her sales calls. “With most of my family in England, I felt lucky to have Ross’s family and so many friends here in Marple,” added Sonia.
Sonia and Ross live here in Marple with their two children Gabrielle and Ross, Jr., who were born 15 years apart. “I think God knew I could only handle one child at a time,” Sonia said, jokingly. Gabrielle, now 37, graduated from Neshaminy High School and she works at Your Place Your Way. She’s also an avid TikTokker and influencer. “Gabrielle is always smiling. She takes joy in all new things, especially the latest technologies,” Sonia said proudly. “She is also fiercely loyal and protective of her family and her friends.”
Gabrielle’s younger brother, Ross Jr. was born 2001. “I always think that the children born the year following the 9/11 tragedy really were special,” said Sonia. So many things changed in the world from that day on.” Ross Jr. was also part of the generation who did not get to have a graduation or senior prom due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. “They all had to overcome disappointments and learned to live in a different world,” said Sonia. Despite some of the challenges of being a high school student during the pandemic, Sonia said Ross Jr. thrived at Marple Newtown High School where he made lots of friends and enjoyed being part of the school’s leadership program called LINK. “Ross also made great connections with
many of the teachers there,” said Sonia.
Ross Jr. has always loved music and after high school went on to Full Sail University in Florida where he earned a degree in Music Business. “Ross is very similar to his sister in that he is quick to smile and always treats people with kindness,” Sonia said. “He’s quite loyal to his friends who he’s had since he was young. They’re the same group of friends who used to sleep over at our house every weekend.” A hard worker, Ross keeps busy with two jobs and continues to sing and make music. His dream is to own his own Record Label someday.
For the Small family, life here in Marple is full of friends, family and fun. Their home on a quiet cul-sac in the Brookthorpe Hills section of town is filled with neighbors who all look out for each other and frequently hang out together. In 2011 Sonia and Ross added an inground pool to the home, leading to countless adventures ever since. “Hanging out by the pool with some delicious BBQ with friends is at the top of our list of awesome
ways to spend a weekend,” said Ross.
Thank you to the Small family for sharing their story and reminding their friends and neighbors just how special it is to live in Marple!
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.