Today we’d like to introduce you to MyKaila Blackwell.
Hi MyKaila, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was raised in a family of entrepreneurs so I knew at a very young age that’s the route I would go. Of course, I didn’t know exactly what type of business I wanted, there’s so many things I love to do. But life experiences definitely helped me narrow it down. In 2014 my mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, I took care of her for the 4 years that she went through treatment and I absolutely loved and was honored to do so. In 2018, my mother passed away at my home in my arms. At the time, my oldest son was just 3 years old, she passed 1 week before his 4th birthday. It was really tough for me, but my mom was really big on strength and resilience so I had to as she would say “keep going.” My mother before becoming ill was in the healthcare field, so that definitely played a role in my choice of business. But from her death the idea sparked “if she needed help with daily living activities, I’m sure there are many others who need help as well.” That very next year I gave birth to my youngest son, who happened to be born with a rare heart disease, he had open heart surgery at just 6 weeks old. Having the heart disease affected every other part of his body, and in order to bring him home after 6 long months in the hospital I had to learn from his doctors and care team how to properly care for him. Fast forward two years later, he had made a great and impressive recovery and that is when Love with Care was born! I remember waking up November of 2021 and thinking “today’s the day I start my own company.” I filed all legal documents, opened a business banking account, created all of my marketing materials and took a true leap of faith.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If I said it’s been a smooth road, I’d be telling a huge fib! It has definitely been challenging, but the challenges have also been so rewarding and enlightening. One of the most challenging encounters has been that because I am a small company I can’t help everyone who reaches out for care, or by me accepting only private pay obviously some individuals cannot afford care. So I’ve found myself in situations of volunteering, negotiating contracts and truly trying to make it work for the individual in need. Some have called me “crazy” or just “way too nice” and my accountant wasn’t too happy with me, but I believe that when you put good out, you get good back. Other challenges have been day to day operations, and remaining neutral when communicating with clients and my caregivers. You cannot pick a side, you have to walk in everyday as a leader and a person who can remain calm in any situation.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Love with Care?
Love with Care was founded on the true intent of providing quality home care services to elderly and disabled individuals who wish to remain in their homes but require some form of assistance. We assist with bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, errands and so much more. Love with Care is locally owned and not apart of a franchise, and I truly believe that makes a difference. We are not quantity driven, but more so quality driven. As the owner I’ve experienced taking care of my own loved ones who required assistance to remain at home and not in a living facility, and so I understand first hand what a great caregiver consist of and what other families may look for with that being said I only hire the best of the best and I believe in compensating my caregivers a decent wage and treating them with dignity and respect. That’s what makes me most proud. Clients and caregivers are treated as family and that’s not something all business owners can say.
How do you define success?
I don’t define success as anything related to money, because true success is priceless. It’s time spent with my family and friends, creating memories, showing up for my children, taking my children to travel the world, giving back to my community, leading by example, serving at my church, helping others conquer their goals and dreams and being a light in those around me lives. To me that’s success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mycaregiverlovewithcare.me
