The healthcare industry is a revolving door, or at least sometimes it seems that way. With new presidents coming in and making policies, to the rules and regulations that get set by insurance companies–you have to know how to navigate that field and still pay attention to your patients. Leah Heimbach, president of Healthcare Management Solutions, a company that provides integration of clinical expertise with information technology (IT) solutions, was a guest on the Positively West Virginia Podcast. She shared some of her experiences with improving healthcare feedback.
Receiving financial backing when starting out can be hard.
Starting a business is hard. Finding funding can be even more difficult.
Leah Heimbach, President of Healthcare Management Solutions
“We applied for a line of credit with lending institutions, and it was very discouraging because two of them denied us because they wanted our husbands to be guarantors on the line of credit but they had never been involved in the business,” explained Heimbach. “It was absurd.”
“We eventually found a lender and kept making our pitch,” said Heimbach.
As a business owner, you will not impress everyone, and yes, it can be discouraging; however, you should never give up because a group of people say no. You will find someone who supports your vision.
Don’t give up.
“Don’t give up,” advises Heimbach. “Don’t take no for an answer. And you’ll eventually find the doors to open, or you’ll create those doors.”
For entrepreneurs and business owners that are just starting out, research is key. Develop a list of five or six people or companies that can change your life by investing in you.
Start connecting with them through LinkedIn or maybe even asking friends if they are able to make a connection for you to meet him or her.
Don’t forget, there are uphill battles.
“I just hope people that are looking to going into business and starting their own company don’t give up,” said Heimbach. “There are uphill battles, I would just advise them to step back, remember why they got into it and take things one step at a time.”
Hire local.
Once your business is off the ground and operating, you can start hiring.
Instead of outsourcing work out-of-state, think about hiring local. West Virginia has a diverse workforce that is dedicated to making the state a better place.
“I’d have to say [the best thing about being in business here in West Virginia] is having access to a really good workforce,” said Heimbach. “Having people who have a good work ethic and really care about what they do.”
As a West Virginia business owner, it is up to you to help the community around you. If they thrive, you thrive.
Leah Heimbach was a guest on the Positively West Virginia Podcast. Hear her full podcast here.
PWV QUICK BITS | HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
- Recommended book: Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Person Heimbach would like to meet: Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first U.S. manned space flight.
- Recommended resource: Skype