Tragedies can sometimes offer unexpected paths to a new purpose. Judith Joachim with CC’s Home Health Care has followed this path. Judith has always helped people in her extensive nursing career. When her mother finally needed assisted care in the last years of her life, Judith was there as much as possible.
However, her mother’s determination to remain independent and live in her own house led to a terrible fall, putting her in the hospital until she passed. Judith decided to use this experience for the better and create her own assisted living company. Judith was determined to create a company that would give people the care they needed and deserved. This way, more independent individuals will still have the feeling of living in a loving family home environment. Best of all, she named it after her mother.
Tell me about your company and how your idea originated.
During my master’s degree in nursing, my final class project was to create a company or project around nursing. I chose running an assisted living facility because I have worked in healthcare for over 20 years. I started when I was 15 as a candy striper so helping people is basically my life.
What inspired you to start your company?
After I graduated, my elderly mom was also going through her own health issues. My mom was always an independent woman, not wanting others to do things for her. But when the time came when she needed help, I became very hands-on and helped her with her care. She lived with us here in Georgia, but she ultimately decided to go back to Florida to remain more independent. Unfortunately, her health really declined, and I planned for her to come back to us. But she fell and wound up in a nursing home and, sadly, passed away in 2018 at the age of 83.
This situation really pushed me to move forward with my business. I named it CC’s Family Home Care after my mom, and we take care of elderly clients who want to remain in a family home environment.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?
We had a client with dementia and other issues which presented us with a situation where she needed 24-hour round-the-clock care. So my husband and daughter have pitched in, and we tag team the rigorous schedule.
Additionally, we are looking to extend to another location which is another challenge right now. We plan to purchase a second home and renovate it for more clients.
What’s the best thing about being a small business owner?
I get to choose what I do, when I do it, and how I do it. I can try something and see if it works and if it doesn’t, I control the next steps.
What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?
This client came into my life, and she was looking for a place for her mom. After seeing our facility, she called and said she was bringing her mother in. Right then, I realized I had to partner with a company that would handle payments. I knew I couldn’t just take a credit card number, so I went to my credit union to find out if they could recommend someone, and they introduced me to FINSYNC.
I spoke with Jack Stone, who was very nice and personable; he made me feel comfortable. After speaking with Jack and seeing the platform, this prompted me to join FINSYNC.
What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?
I like the fact that I can create an invoice, send it and create a copy of it so I can go back to it. This helps so much with my organization.
What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?
LGE Credit Union is who referred me. I was looking for programs that could easily handle the payments side of my business, and so LGE recommended me to your company.
What would help you the most right now with your business?
I am interested in having a mentor. Someone that has been there before and is willing to teach and give valuable advice. Day by day, I am always learning something new.
Anything else you would like to share with other potential and actual small business owners?
The internet is a great place for research. Just try things out; if it doesn’t work, you can adjust. Keep the faith!! I feel in my heart that quitting is definitely not an option. I have been in this for so long, I will do whatever it takes to succeed.
Are you a small business owner? We would love to hear your story. Maybe your business will be featured one day, like Judith!