Multi-Talented Entrepreneur

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shana Carter, Owner of Home Safe Mobility Solutions and Emerald Coast Medical Housing, located in Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA.

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

I own two companies, both of which are based in the healthcare industry. Emerald Coast Medical Housing provides temporary housing for contract medical workers in the Panhandle of Florida. The primary customers that we serve are traveling nurses, scrub techs, and OR techs. Home Safe Mobility Solutions is a company that offers in-home Physical therapy and wellness services to communities in the Panhandle of Florida. Our customers include clients who may not want to travel to an Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic and clients who may need home recommendations on improving safety in the home to allow themselves or family members to remain safely in the home as they age.

Tell us about yourself

I opened Emerald Coast Medical Housing (ECMH) due to the lack of affordable housing on the Emerald Coast of Florida for medical travelers. This area is a very active tourist area, and housing is very expensive year-round in this area. ECMH offers affordable, all-inclusive housing options with fixed pricing year-round that is significantly more affordable than traditional short-term rentals in the area for all providers visiting the area on contract.

Home Safe Mobility Solutions grew out of the need for affordable In-Home Physical Therapy options, and Home Safety needs in the Panhandle of Florida. My company is able to visit a client in their home to assess the safety of the home environment and make recommendations on improvements to allow the client to safely remain in the home versus having to relocate to an Assisted Living Facility or a Skilled Nursing Home. Additionally, we are able to assist the client in learning about grants or funding options that are available for home safety upgrades and remodeling from many agencies, including the Veterans Administration! HSMS partners with Carter Custom Construction, owned by my husband, and other local contractors to provide clients with low-cost options for installing handrails, grab bars, and handicap ramps to make their homes ADA-friendly. Additionally, HSMS also offers in-home wellness and outpatient Physical Therapy services focused on providing services that traditional clinics may not be able to offer or that insurance would not traditionally cover! For example, clients who are training for ultra marathons and require wellness services dedicated specifically to their sport and require treatment or training in their dedicated training environment instead of a traditional clinic setup.

What motivates me each day is the excitement of new opportunities! I have been self-employed for many years, and I thoroughly enjoy being able to make the decisions that best serve my community, my clients, and my businesses to the best of my ability!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was opening companies that give back to my community. The Panhandle of Florida is a unique community because, during the summer, our population can double or triple with tourist traffic, but in the off-season, we are a very small community that relies on one another to take care of basic community needs. I love that I can assist members of my community in maintaining their independence in the home or in hitting their own personal wellness goals!

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

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is the uncertainty of being self-employed. There is a certain amount of stability that comes with working in a traditional 9-5 job where your hours and pay are guaranteed; self-employment does not always offer that same stability. However, the freedom and personal fulfillment of being self-employed far outweigh any negatives, and I would not change it for anything!

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

The top 3 tips I would give anyone who wants to start or grow a business are to expect setbacks and plan for them! Setbacks and unexpected issues are a normal part of self-employment, especially in the beginning. Try your best to plan ahead for any possible issues you can foresee and develop a plan to be as prepared as you can be.

Don't give up! Self-employment is a wonderful career path, but there are days when things are challenging, and you aren't sure you are on the right path. When these days happen, know that this is normal, and remain focused on your goal, continue to move forward! Tough times always pass!

Always have a backup plan! Sometimes in self-employment, your first path may not work out the way you planned for it to! Always be flexible, and know that your business plan and path will continuously grow and develop as your company does! This is part of the process. ECMH started out as a vacation short-term rental company, and when that was not as profitable as I had hoped, the medical housing business that is now successful and thriving was my plan B!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://www.h-s-m-s.com/
https://www.e-c-m-h.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MobilePTtoGO
https://www.facebook.com/ShortTermMedicalHousing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emeraldcoastmedicalhousing/

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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