Care to CEO

Welcome back to Care to CEO! In this episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest regulatory shake-ups the home health industry has seen in years: a nationwide moratorium impacting new Medicaid enrollments for home health and hospice agencies. If you’re an aspiring care business owner or feeling confused about what these changes mean for your business, you’re not alone.Joining us is Crystal Smith, founder, consultant, and business acquisition advisor, who’s here to separate fact from fear, break down exactly who’s affected, what’s changing, and how you can adapt and thrive in this new environment. From practical advice on building resilient systems to finding new opportunities beyond Medicaid, Crystal shares actionable strategies for staying informed, flexible, and ready to build a lasting business, even in uncertain times.Whether your plans are on pause or you’re searching for the right path forward, this episode is packed with insights, encouragement, and the mindset you need to turn obstacles into opportunities. Let’s jump in!Timestamps:00:00 Medicaid enrollment moratorium impacts03:28 Medicaid moratorium impact on providers06:33 Preparing for business compliance changes11:34 Learning new business rules15:04 Evaluating and Selling Business Assets17:09 Entrepreneurs focusing on their progress22:45 Consultation for health services24:13 Adapting in the care industryCare to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/Crystal Smith - https://sellwithcsmith.com/TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care to CEO! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Crystal Smith, founder, business consultant, author, and now business broker, whose journey from caregiver and single mother to industry trailblazer is nothing short of remarkable. Crystal opens up about the steep costs and overlooked pitfalls of going solo in business, the invaluable role of mentorship, and the lessons she’s learned as she’s helped first-generation entrepreneurs, especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds, build, grow, and ultimately exit valuable businesses. Together, we explore how the home care industry is evolving, why soft skills from caregiving translate into elite business leadership, and what it means to truly “show up” for yourself and others. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a seasoned operator, get ready for powerful insights on creating sustainable freedom, building generational wealth, and embracing your unique superpowers as you grow from care to CEO.Timestamps:00:00 Crystal Smith's business journey03:23 Helping Underdog Entrepreneurs Succeed07:30 Ready-to-buy business market12:00 Choosing the Right Mentor13:30 Importance of getting guidance18:04 Developing Skills Through Caregiving20:26 Empowering women in the workplace22:59 Expanding beyond health care29:11 Showing up for yourself30:48 Building a Valuable and Sustainable BusinessCare to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/Crystal Smith - https://sellwithcsmith.com/TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

The conversation focused on the evolving landscape of healthcare entrepreneurship and the new challenges facing founders today. Growth in the industry now demands more than just vision and dedication; it requires robust systems, operational maturity, and stable teams to avoid chaos and burnout behind the scenes. The discussion explored common mistakes healthcare founders make as they scale, the rising importance of documentation and compliance, and why a strong infrastructure is more critical than ever. A key theme that emerged was the necessity for founders to adapt both personally and within their organizations to succeed in a rapidly changing, regulation-driven environment. The episode also delved into the impact of staffing, the role of mentorship, and what sustainable growth truly means for healthcare businesses looking toward the future.Timestamps:00:00 Shift in healthcare industry focus05:35 Implementing business systems for growth08:46 Achieving operational maturity10:38 Challenges with staffing decisions16:01 Embracing Change for Business Growth17:10 Importance of having a mentor21:28 Focus on sustainability in business25:42 Struggles and triumphs in modeling28:25 Commitment to serving others30:25 Keys to sustainable growthCare to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/Crystal Smith - https://sellwithcsmith.com/TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care to CEO! In this episode, we dig into one of the least glamorous but most vital aspects of scaling a business: building a rock-solid backend infrastructure. Crystal Smith pulls back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes as service businesses grow. From the outside, expansion might look like more clients, more revenue, and more excitement, but internally, unchecked growth can quickly reveal cracks: broken communication, duplicated work, operational chaos, and even tighter cash flow despite rising income.Today, Crystal Smith shares hard-won lessons from her own journey of rapid business growth, highlighting the systems, team structures, and tools every service-based founder needs to support real, sustainable success. Whether you’re noticing the early warning signs of disorganization or simply want to get ahead of future chaos, tune in as we unpack how to build a business that doesn’t just grow but thrives.Timestamps:00:00 Challenges with inconsistent onboarding04:57 Signs of failing infrastructure08:54 Building efficient business systems11:55 Implementing Tools and Assigning Roles15:49 Improving organizational processes17:38 Emphasizing accountability in scaling22:10 Taking on tasks gradually25:00 Being amazed by innovative services27:49 Closing remarks and farewellCare to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/Crystal Smith - https://sellwithcsmith.com/TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care to CEO, the podcast where we break down what it really takes to build, grow, and scale a care-based business from the ground up. In today’s episode, we’re challenging everything you think you know about home care. Home care isn’t the end goal; it’s just the entry point. Crystal Smith shares her personal journey of starting hands-on in the care industry and realizing that running a home care agency is only the foundation for an entire healthcare ecosystem. She discusses how mastering operations, building strong referral relationships, and developing solid systems can open doors to countless expansion opportunities, from adult day services to staffing, Medicaid certifications, and beyond. If you’ve ever wondered how to break out of survival mode and think bigger in the care industry, this episode is for you. Get ready for actionable insights, real talk about scaling, and inspiration to turn your care business into a platform for long-term impact and success.Timestamps:00:00 Building a career in home care04:23 Realizing broader business potential08:27 Knowing when to expand12:07 Expanding home care services14:54 Starting a consulting business20:06 Finding the right documentation system23:13 Early career in elder care25:19 Networking and learning from others29:38 Expanding home healthcare services31:32 Expanding industry opportunitiesCare to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/Crystal Smith - https://sellwithcsmith.com/TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to another episode of Care to CEO, the podcast where we dig deep into what it truly takes to scale a service-based business while staying true to your mission and values. In today’s episode, host Crystal Smith tackles one of the toughest transitions every founder faces: stepping back from personally handling every aspect of client care.Crystal unpacks why letting go of day-to-day service delivery is so emotionally charged, especially in the care industry, where client trust is everything. Crystal Smith shares her own journey from being involved in every client interaction to building a dedicated team and rock-solid systems that allow the business to thrive without her daily presence. She offers practical insights on setting company-wide standards, training a diverse team, and gradually handing off responsibility, so quality and heart don’t get left behind.This episode is packed with real-talk about what happens when founders stay too involved, the signs it’s time to let go, and the freedom that comes with growing into the CEO role you and your business deserve. Whether you’re struggling to delegate or ready to take your company to the next level, Crystal gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how to grow your mission-driven business without losing its soul.Timestamps:00:00 From Caregiver to CEO04:24 "Building Trust, Growing Quality"09:15 "Standardized Care Over Individual Style"12:35 "Effective Delegation and Leadership Growth"16:25 "Strategic Growth Over Direct Care"17:56 Endless Opportunities in Home Care21:22 "Scaling Mission-Driven Businesses"Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/Crystal Smith - https://sellwithcsmith.com/TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”