Welcome back to Care to CEO, the podcast that helps caregivers and underdogs take bold steps toward confident business ownership in the care industry! In this episode, host Crystal Smith cuts through the confusion around getting licensed —and getting paid — for a home care business. Crystal shares her personal journey, practical steps, and plenty of hard-won wisdom on how to navigate the paperwork, state requirements, and the all-important approval process to become a Medicaid or state-funded provider.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by confusing government websites, unsure of what license you really need, or just stuck googling into the void, this episode is your go-to guide. Crystal walks us through the exact steps she took: choosing her business structure, opening the right doors at state agencies, leveraging mentorship, and building her network. She talked about common mistakes (so you don’t make them!), working with reviewers, setting up for renewal, and even how to diversify your funding streams. Plus, Crystal shares that sometimes “starting scared” is the best way to get going — no matter how daunting it all seems.

So whether you’re just dreaming or deep into your application, tune in for real-world tips and inspiring stories to help you launch and grow your care business. Let’s get you from uncertainty to approval, and from care to CEO — together!

Timestamps:

00:00 Overcoming Licensing Challenges

05:53 Licensing Challenges for New Businesses

08:16 Choosing a Path in Caregiving

11:23 Medicaid Payee Approval Process

15:48 Foster Care Challenges and Experiences

18:59 Medical Coding for Billing Payments

22:47 "Effective Communication and Responsiveness"

23:51 Application Process Challenges and Review

27:10 Helpful Feedback from Reviewer

33:08 Power of Mentorship

36:28 "Embracing Help and Delegation"

39:15 Affordable Help and Rachel's Book

40:59 Mentorship: Driven to Elevate Others

43:35 Embrace Action Despite Fear

Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/

Crystal Smith - https://www.crystalsmithandco.com/

TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

Welcome back to Care to CEO, the podcast that empowers caregivers, everyday people, and underdogs to embrace their inner entrepreneur - especially in the care industry. In today’s episode, host Crystal Smith, a trailblazer in group homes and behavioral health housing, to uncover a business opportunity most of us have never even considered owning: the group home and non-skilled care business.

Crystal shares her inspiring journey from caregiver to CEO, breaking down myths about the industry, revealing how accessible and rewarding this work can be, and giving step-by-step insights from her own experience.

Whether you’re a CNA, a home health aide, or someone with a passion for helping others, Crystal’s story and practical advice show that you don’t need a trust fund or a fancy degree to build a legacy -- just heart, determination, and the willingness to start. Get ready for a real, raw conversation that might just change the way you see your future.

Timestamps:

00:00 Understanding Group Homes

03:11 Impromptu Park Outing Success

09:12 Starting a Home Care Business

10:32 Balancing Daily Tasks and Ambitions

15:03 Opportunity in First Responder Care

18:03 "Quick Success in Home Care"

21:08 Insightful Real-World Business Examples

26:28 Endless Demand for Care Services

29:50 "Empowering Frontline Caregivers"

31:36 Motivation: Key to Overcoming Challenges

36:37 Pushing Through Challenges

39:47 Seeking Guidance at Conventions

41:53 Relatable Success through Hardship

44:43 "What Would Crystal Do?"

Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/

Crystal Smith - https://www.crystalsmithandco.com/

TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

Welcome to Episode 1 of Care to CEO! In this inspiring kickoff, we introduce you to our host: Crystal Smith, a remarkable caregiver-turned-entrepreneur who shares her heartfelt journey from humble beginnings as a caretaker for her great-grandmother to becoming the CEO of a home care business. Crystal opens up about her childhood in Canton, Ohio, her family’s strong work ethic, and how the invaluable skills she learned caring for loved ones naturally evolved into running her own business.

She discusses the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the realities of being undervalued as a frontline worker, and the empowering moment she decided to bet on herself - transforming not just her own life, but the lives of those around her. From pivoting during the uncertainties of Covid to opening her home to those in need, Crystal’s story is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the power of turning care into action.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a healthcare worker, or someone searching for inspiration, this episode will remind you that the skills you have - and your heart for helping others - might just be the blueprint for your own success.

Timestamps:

00:00 From Caregiver to Entrepreneur Mentor

04:02 "From Caretaker to Entrepreneur"

08:58 Natural Caregiver's Journey

12:32 "Undervalued Healthcare Workers' Plight"

15:22 "Perseverance as a Single Mother"

20:12 Starting a Mentorship Business Journey

23:54 "Embracing Pressure to Succeed"

26:35 24-Hour Childcare for Special Needs

28:45 Balanced Life Through Caregiving

33:04 Emergency Respite Care Decisions

34:43 Support Challenges in Service Industry

40:16 Examples of Envy and Progress

41:56 "Natural Humility as Success Blueprint"

44:35 Eager for Episode Two

Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/

Crystal Smith - https://www.crystalsmithandco.com/

TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/