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Qualified Homecare Services, Inc. Qualified Homecare Services is the leading provider of homecare in the Tri-County area, offering a wide range of personalized non-medical services. We are committed to providing high quality, cost-effective and compassionate home care through a team of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and live-In companions. Our customers include the elderly and sick in various settings such as personal homes, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, and assisted living facilities. I founded Qualified Homecare Services in 1999 and today the company includes 10 employees and 250 nursing personnel. We’ve grown from one to three offices located in Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Our license enables us to provide home healthcare services as well as facility staffing to clients in Miami-Dade, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Martin County, St Lucie County, Indian River County, and Okeechobee County. As a licensed CEU provider, we are also a leader in providing continuing education to nurses and nurse aides in the State of Florida. Qualified Homecare Services has been approved for SBA 8(a) certification as of July 2005 and is certified by the Woman Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the North Broward Hospital District and School Broad of Broward County MBE and WBE certification, Florida Regional Minority Business Council (FRMBC), Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Miami, and a MBE and we are a recognized WBE firm in Miami-Dade County. What made you go into this business? The reason that I started QHS is primarily a personal one. My mother cared for an elderly client for about 13 years, and although doctors and family members gave up on the client on several occasions, the care my mother provided to this elderly woman was of such quality that she lived to be 103 years of age. This made a very big impression on me because I saw first hand that if someone gets personalized quality care, life can be sustained at full potential until death. Additionally, as I got interested in this type of business, I quickly came to appreciate its potential and the rewards of helping seniors maintain their independence and achieve peace of mind when they are most vulnerable. What has been the worst or the biggest obstacle you’ve faced or had to overcome? There have been a number of obstacles but the major one has been finding the right balance between running a successful business and dedicating enough time to my personal responsibilities as a wife and mother of two children. A few years ago after my second child was born, I took some extended time off from the business. After returning to work I discovered that things had deteriorated in some areas and I had to take a number of corrective measures to fix them. The experience taught me the need to restructure the company with appropriate and qualified staff and incorporate proper controls and procedures so that some day I will not have to be so involved in the recurring day to day activities but instead focus on positioning the company strategically to accomplish our business objectives. What had been your biggest triumph? During the initially stages of starting the business I did not have children and now that I have two young sons, my focus has transitioned from just regular day to day operations to looking at the business from a strategic, longer-term approach. Having children has taught me that in order for me to have a life of my own - to be a mother, a wife and wear the many hats I do; business cannot be business as usual but business with a plan, a goal and an approach to achieving that goal strategically. My biggest triumph is that because of my children, I now really understand what it takes to run a successful company and achieve balance, some of which include proper people, planning, processes, controls, setting measurable goals and staying focused. The road to achieving this goal is a triumph for me. I can now see light at the end of the tunnel. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? “Always believe in yourself; even if those around you don’t.” Is there anyone who inspired you and why? My mother inspires me. She came to this country with little or no money with the drive to work and to help her children; sacrificing herself to be sure that we had an education. She worked tirelessly and prayed without ceasing. She taught us to “trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge him and he will direct our path”. She taught us to be determined and work hard because failure is when one stops trying and hard work brings success. What is the best book you ever read and would recommend? Build to Last by J. Collins and J. Porras What is your favorite quote? “You will never achieve your dreams if they don’t become goals.” Anonymous What are your goals now and where do you see yourself going? My immediate goal for the company is to continue strengthening its organizational structure and hiring additional professional management staff to help manage the growth in a structured and organized manner. Other goals include expanding our customer base and geographical penetration through additional marketing efforts. Another project I plan to implement is starting a non-profit organization to help needy seniors. How has being a member of the WBDC and WBENC helped you? WBDC and WBENC have been a blessing on both personal and business levels. They have offered numerous opportunities, including information, knowledge, networking opportunities and have also provided resources to access other woman business owners to work with. I have only been a member for a limited time but I was awarded The Dorothy B. Scholarship award to attend an Ivy League university to attain leadership training. The staffs at our local chapter of WBENC and WBDC have been so accessible, friendly and always willing to help. I’m so grateful that these people have made it their business to make other businesses like mine successful. What do you want to be remembered for? I would like to be remembered as someone that stood for integrity and excellence, and as someone who cared for and positively impacted the community, specifically as it relates to our elderly population in need. How does someone get in contact with you at (your company)? They can contact me by any of the following methods:
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