Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kimberly Pettigrew, Owner, and Director of At Home Eldercare of Winston Salem, located in Winston Salem, NC, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

At Home Eldercare of Winston Salem provides non-medical home care services to individuals who are experiencing challenges in their common activities of daily living. This service is so important because it allows people to continue to live and age in place without having to experience the trials and traumas of leaving the comfort of their homes, limited access to family, and transitioning to life in a facility. People, especially those that are aging, are able to have the care and respect that they deserve while dealing with the emotions that come from not being able to do things that you once were able to do independently and with ease.

Tell us about yourself

I have always had a love for healthcare but discovered early on that my compassion for others made it difficult for me to be strong during emotional times, so administrative was the best route for me. I obtained my master's degree in Health Administration, and after years of doing alternate work, I was able to come across a franchise that let me truly pursue my passion. The love for what I do really hit home when after only one year in business, my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I was able to take care of her, keep her comfortable, continue to grow a start-up business, and put the knowledge and skills I was offering to others into practice. It gave me the perspective I needed as a professional, and a loved one of an aging parent that I needed to be able to strive for success and realize the impact of what eldercare can do for an individual and their family.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment to date would be starting, maintaining, and growing this business during the height of COVID. While the service is what loved ones were opting for, being a new agency and providing services we could be proud of when new to the field has truly made me excited to push forward and do more. Every client we are able to service and assist in their everyday lives feels like part of our family, and although there are ups and downs in that time, we have a caring staff that loves to make them smile.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The biggest challenge in being a business owner is creating a work-life balance. Owning a business is just like having a new baby. You want to devote all of your time, energy, and efforts to ensuring it is safe, secure with who you have around it, and will grow. In the end, life gets in the way, and managing the personal with the professional can keep you up late many nights. So while you may not get a lot of sleep in the beginning, it is rewarding to see what blossoms from all you do.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Start a business you are passionate about. Every day will not be a good day, but when you are passionate about it, you will always find a reason to keep fighting for it and at least make it a productive day.
  2. Don't be afraid of "NO." Every door is not going to be open for you, everyone will not want that meeting with you, and every no is not a bad thing. You may be saving yourself from a lot of wasted time that can be devoted to what will truly help you grow.
  3. Be patient with yourself. There are many ups and downs that go along with starting and growing a business. You know the potential for your business and where you envision it going. Don't get discouraged by the setbacks because an "obstacle is only what you see when you take your eyes off the goal."

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Caring for others fills my bucket. I love waking up knowing I am servicing my community and providing a lot of care, from companion care to total care and everything in between. There are so many avenues that go into homecare and many different ways to grow for anyone that would consider this field.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://athomeec.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athomeeldercare/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athomeec/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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