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 impacts

03:28 Medicaid moratorium impact on providers

06:33 Preparing for business compliance changes

11:34 Learning new business rules

15:04 Evaluating and Selling Business Assets

17:09 Entrepreneurs focusing on their progress

22:45 Consultation for health services

24:13 Adapting in the care industry

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.”

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 journey

03:23 Helping Underdog Entrepreneurs Succeed

07:30 Ready-to-buy business market

12:00 Choosing the Right Mentor

13:30 Importance of getting guidance

18:04 Developing Skills Through Caregiving

20:26 Empowering women in the workplace

22:59 Expanding beyond health care

29:11 Showing up for yourself

30:48 Building a Valuable and Sustainable Business

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.”

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 focus

05:35 Implementing business systems for growth

08:46 Achieving operational maturity

10:38 Challenges with staffing decisions

16:01 Embracing Change for Business Growth

17:10 Importance of having a mentor

21:28 Focus on sustainability in business

25:42 Struggles and triumphs in modeling

28:25 Commitment to serving others

30:25 Keys to sustainable growth

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.”