Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kerry Ramella, Owner of Public Safety Crisis Solutions, LLC., located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

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

Public Safety Crisis Solutions offers Behavioral Health Programs, including counseling, peer support, crisis management, training, and consulting to first responders, their families, and their agencies.

Tell us about yourself

I worked as a 911 operator radio dispatcher for the Phoenix Police Department while I went to school and earned my bachelor's degree in psychology. Later I was promoted to become a manager of the Communication Bureau while I worked on my Master's degree in counseling.

After graduating, I moved to the Fire Department and managed a Community Crisis Response Program, responding to calls with Police and Fire and providing Crisis management and victims assistance to customers. Later, I decided to pursue my Doctorate degree and researched creating resiliency within the fire service, and started developing training programs and benefits to assist the firefighters in need of support.

When I retired from the City of Phoenix, I started my own Business, Public Safety Crisis Solutions, to provide the services I knew the firefighters and police officers needed in a way that they would utilize the benefits and be able to take care of each other and themselves. Helping first responders and those that help others is a passion. It is hard work but so rewarding when you can save a life, a marriage, a family, or a career.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is continuing to expand my efforts Internationally by working with the IAFF. I have been able to reach so many first responders by creating curriculums and conducting training, and responding to critical incidents all over the United States and Canada.

The departments within AZ that I manage benefits and programs for have shown increases in utilization rates and embraced the concept of taking care of the most important asset for any department, which is their employees.

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

Due to the nature of working with first responders, I try to be available 24/7 to make sure that their needs are met. Setting boundaries and training staff to assist with these 24/7 needs can be overwhelming at times. It's hard to say NO.

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

Don't over-commit. Don't say you can do something if you don't have the resources to accomplish the task. If you love what you do and are passionate about it, then you will always be satisfied with what you accomplish.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

A project that I worked on along with a committee of many other Phoenix Firefighters and consultants was the Firestrong.org website. This website was designed for the Phoenix fire and has since grown to provide psychoeducation, assessments, and resources internationally.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://pscrisissolutions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firestrong/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firestrong/

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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