Name: Shashicka Tyre-Hill
Occupation: CEO, Miracle Home Care, Inc.
HelloBeautiful: Briefly describe your day to day activities and responsibilities as founder and owner of Miracle Home Cares, Inc.
STH: I manage seven locations in the state of Georgia. Each location has a staff including a senior administrative to oversee the day-to-day. I review client reports, payroll, discuss staff concerns, access and prepare for incoming clients, I deal with insurance companies and government agencies including Medicaid.
HB: Briefly describe what prompted your interest in the healthcare field, specifically providing home care services.
STH: My grandmother, Susie passed away from Cancer in 2000. I assisted my mom in caring for her during her last days. My heart wanted to see her comfortable in her last days. Afterwards, I put an advertisement in the newspaper at the suggestion of my mother who convinced me to continue working as a home care assistant. I got a call the next day from a woman whose friend was a widow who also had Cancer and would be needing 24-hour care once she left the hospital. Since I had my children I was unable to offer my assistance for the needed 24-hours. The client proposed that I find the people to fill the 24-hour around-the-clock care and she would pay enough to compensate me and the additional help. That was the beginning.
HB: What suggestions regarding networking would you give to those seeking to work in this particular field?
STH: This is a hands-on field and more than anything you must have a passion and heart to work with the elderly, sick or shut-in. Learning first aid, CPR, and other safety certifications can prove beneficial when seeking a job in this field. This is not a field with after work networking mixers. The best way to get your foot in the door is to show up and have a heart to help. I started my business when I was 23-years-old. I obtained my home health care license at 21. I became the youngest in the country to do so. I advise young people to pursue their passions from an early age.
HB: What are the major challenges in your role as a business owner in the healthcare industry and what solutions have you deemed best to handle these challenges?
STH: I would say dealing with insurance companies and case managers for those clients who are on social security or public assistance. There is a lot of tedious paperwork and back and forth. Medicare pays on time, but personal insurance companies can be nightmares. Obamacare has made things better. There are more folks who are able to receive our services. About 95% of our clients come from social service and medicaid. It makes it so much easier for us to help everyone who needs the assistance.
STH: Recently I was approved to open an adult day center in a community in Georgia. I received a lot of push back from the community, including them calling they city inspector, code enforcement, zoning office and health department to stop me from opening. I am happy to say the adult day center will open. Families need a place outside of their homes where they can send love ones for attention and care during the day. When you open up physical locations in communities there will definitely be challenges, but we push through.
HB: What would you contribute your level of success to?
STH: Determination and faith in God are what I say has made the difference. I took $700 from my income tax almost 10 years ago and turned it into a $7 Million dollar company. I was a high school dropout and teen mom by the age of 15. I had a daughter to care for. I was determined to provide for her, especially during times where I didn’t have much support. I had to return to school and get my GED before I could even apply for a license in home health care. It was a juggling act, between caring for my children, I had a son a few years later and going to school and surviving.
Determination is what helped me push through when I was rejected twice for my license. I was approved on the third and final attempt. I prayed constantly. Qualifying for my license with only a GED education was one of the toughest things to do. God wanted me to start this business. What I lacked in education, I had in faith and determination. I recently published my memoir, “Blessings And Miracles” and in the book I discuss the long and challenging journey that led to the seven locations I have today. When I look back over where I have come from, I see that I am resilient.
HB: Any advice for younger colleagues?
STH: Never give up on your dreams! You can be anything you want to be. It will not be easy and you must be willing to sacrifice. Sacrifice socializing with friends. Sacrifice shopping and hitting the nail salon or dining at restaurants. If you have determination, then you must be prepared to sacrifice and push beyond doubt and fear. Blessings and miracles happen to those who believe.
LIKE HelloBeautiful On Facebook!
Related Stories:
SHE WORKS: How A Black Woman Helped Launch JetBlue Airlines [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]
SHE WORKS: Necole Bitchie Reveals How To Turn Gossip Into Gold [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]
Check Out This Gallery Of #TeamBeautiful’s Women in the Workplace Event!
