Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in home care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kathi McCarty, Founder of Meth Toxins Awareness Alliance, located in Evergreen, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Meth Toxins Awareness Alliance exists to protect individuals and families from the dangerous impacts of methamphetamine toxins left behind from addiction or recreational use, or manufacturing, on our health, homes, and finances. With our 6 module course, we bring facts and stats, real scenarios for a comprehensive understanding Realtors and Professionals can use to protect their clients through prevention; as Ambassadors For Good, we advocate for improved legislation to safeguard buyers, renters, and workers. Only half of our 50 states have some level of meth toxins regulations or legislations. Of those properties that have been remediated to that state's standard, currently only 6 states require disclosure in a real estate transaction.
We welcome opportunities to Professional and Civic organizations on various topics we can customize for their groups, live or virtual. Topics suggestions can include prevention, safety, resources, and more.
Tell us about yourself
My greatest joy is Mom to 3 amazing grown kiddos. We were blessed to live in the bedroom community of Evergreen, CO in the Foothills west of Denver for over 25 years. In 2013 I purchased our most recent home, a 1956 restored cabin privately nestled in the pine trees with a captive view of Mt Evans, one of Colorado's majestic 14teeners. This was to be my forever home, and the legacy I would leave my kids for generations to come.
I lived there together with my 2 teen sons, as my daughter was already off to college. In early 2016 I experienced a serious health event that quickly escalated and almost took my sight. When my youngest son left for college, I chose to rent out our home to offset medical expenses and my next chapter. What seemed like a sensible solution turned into my worst nightmare when the property manager I hired rented to a tenant in July 2018 that smoked and manufactured methamphetamine along with high potency THC products. He had highly explosive equipment in and behind the home that significantly put my neighbors and community at huge risk. I was beyond grateful no one was hurt or worse, and no other home was impacted. The toxic walls of my home and life came crumbling down when our charming log cabin was contaminated beyond repair, the toxic fumes and residue absorbed into the porous wood and bones of the home. I learned those first 90 days of the tenants occupancy were filled with deceptive behaviors by an unscrupulous property manager and illegal drug activity by a dangerous tenant. I climbed 100 huge hurdles in just the first 100 days learning about the destructive damage of meth toxins, testing, remediation, insurance, county and state protocols. And to research and locate experts that could help me navigate this horrific mess. A conversation with the meth testing company owner on my deck was the foundation launching me to Advocacy and Educator and my call to action to prevent this from happening to others. All this while experiencing significant emotional and financial trauma through the illegal and unethical behaviors of others.
Three significant lessons were:
- Insurance did not cover criminal activity or methamphetamine toxins contamination.
- Clean or remediated does not mean the toxic residue is gone.
- Only half of our 50 states have any meth contamination regulations or laws. Colorado has some of the strictest meth testing regulations but falls short of requiring disclosure after a home has been remediated. Over the past four years, as I deal with my own healing, I have grown as an advocate for others. I regularly work with individual homebuyers and sellers, people displaced by meth contamination, and I, as previously mentioned, teach a 6 module course with various topics shedding light on the dark subject of meth toxins. I am motivated by one simple statement: I do not want anyone else to endure the emotional, physical, or financial devastation my family and I have experienced and continue to navigate.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Taking something so personal and impactful and then creating from scratch a message that has already positively helped thousands of people through my course, Toxin Tuesday Talk Show, our Facebook interview series also shared with other groups nationally, public speaking, guest podcasts, CE classes for Realtors and Affiliates on Zoom is my biggest accomplishments. I launched our education course and looked forward to working with leaders in legislation for future initiatives to prevent impact and provide resources for those who fall prey.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, it is letting go of the projects and tasks I am unable to perform. I have a general knowledge of many areas, but technology is not my superpower. I have learned there are a tremendous number of very talented individuals and organizations that can move a project or task along quicker than me attempting this solely. These delays have caused me precious time, financial resources, and growth.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Set realistic goals and have an implementation plan around those goals.
- Pick your lane and stay in it. Select your market, your best client avatar, and focus. Do not try to be all things to everyone. It will dilute your effectiveness and your growth.
- Get your ask on! Ask for help, ask for referrals, ask for the business!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://methtoxinsalliance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/methtoxinsalliance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toxinfreezone/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathi-mccarty-657b665/
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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