Given’ Home Health

By Malia Durbano

Sandra Shepherd didn’t set out to own a Home Health agency. But “now I feel like it is where I’ve been headed all my life,” she shared. She and her husband owned a construction company when he got cancer. This was her first experience at home health. She graduated from nursing school and was working in a Rehab Unit, when her teen-age son had a stroke. Driving him to appointments in Albuquerque and Farmington provided first-hand experience in what families are managing. Then, her son suggested she start a home health agency.

Sandra clearly understood what a big need there is in the community for home health assistance. Luckily, her daughter-in-law knew Joe Keck, former Executive Director of the SBDC.

Years of experience in the construction industry provided valuable business expertise, but “health care is a very complex and highly regulated industry. There are so many evaluations and audits and I had to learn to do medical billing.”

Joe Keck helped her write her business plan which included an independent analysis of the industry, financial projections and a Profit and Loss statement. They also researched zoning, insurance and the permits required for starting a home health business.

The business plan, “a three-inch binder Joe helped me put together,” aided in acquiring a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan to get the business started. The National Home Care Association and the Colorado Home Care Association also provided information on requirements and how to get started.

During the education and survey process, Sandra discovered the need to establish two companies- one for Non-Medical Home Health and one for Medical. The need for Non-Medical was larger, so she started that division first. Given’ Home Health received its license in April of 2014. While she and her daughter Heidi were discussing “Best Practices for Business” and acknowledging that they would provide excellent customer care, Heidi said, “Well that’s a given’” and the business got its name!

The division of the business providing medically assisted care now employs two Registered Nurses, a Physical Therapist and a Social Worker. Sandra has contracted with a Denver firm to provide “teletherapy” via Skype and Face Time with clients in Cortez. The virtual services include Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language therapy and Pathology.

Her business will be growing now that she recently received her license to accept Medicaid and Medicare payments through the Community Health Accreditation Program. “None of this would have happened without the help of Joe Keck. He was so friendly, knowledgeable and willing to help. Anything I needed – he was there. He was very accommodating and easy to work with.”

“I wouldn’t have made it without the help of my kids,” Sandra explains. One daughter helped to plaster and sheet-rock the garage, converting it to an office. Another daughter organized the procedural policies, and her son set up the website.

“They all helped me help the community. I now employ 12 people who care for 23 people in our community, “she says proudly.

970-882-4483
Lewis, CO
http://givenhomehealth.com/

Sticks and Stones

While Tim and Micki Hassemer waited for the perfect retail location on Main Ave. to become available, they were lucky enough to secure retail space at the entrance to Four Leaves Winery. During the one-and-a-half years they occupied that space, they met with former SBDC Executive Director, Joe Keck numerous times. The couple moved here from Los Angeles and Tim chuckles, “It’s a little different here. We had to learn the rules and requirements for

Soundscapes International

By Malia Durbano Ross Barrable an acoustic sculptor attended the Leading Edge for Entrepreneur’s Class offered by the SBDC in the winter of 2010 because, “I wanted to learn about business and branding and how to market my wind harps.” Barrable doesn’t have a store front and recognizes that most of the sales for his high ticket items come by building relationships with potential clients. Barrable creates, “Contemporary sound sculptures, or wind harps, fabricated out

C.A.R.E.

Tim Robinson worked for C.A.R.E. – Cleaning and Restoration Experts in Cortez for six years when his boss, the owner, decided to retire and move to Phoenix. Tim contacted Joe Keck at the SBDC for guidance concerning the purchase agreement. “Purchasing an existing business can be tricky. I wanted to look at the books and determine if the purchase price was fair and indicative of the businesses potential,” Tim explained. “Joe helped me review the

Botanical Concepts

Botanical Concepts Garden Center (BCGC) is 1.3 miles east of north Main Avenue, at the intersection of County Roads 251 & 250. Janine Collins loves this location. She is the owner, and botanist, of BCGC. Janine views BCGC as a community where people come to immerse with nature. “I’m in a place where I am a part of the bigger picture.” Janine’s passion for botany began when she was an archeologist. She had more interest

Fast Signs

By Christine Rasmussen When Durango-based Fast Signs owner Laurie Sigillito asked SBDC Director Joe Keck if he could spare an hour to offer feedback on an upcoming sales presentation, Keck had a better idea: Why not have a panel of advisors from the Business Advisors Network listen to her pitch? The Business Advisors Network (BAN) is comprised of 25 business counselors with wide and varied areas of expertise. Clients can meet individually with an advisor

James Ranch Grill

Cynthia Stewart’s entrepreneurial story is one that brought her around full circle. The values instilled in her childhood were reinforced and focused on the establishment of the James Ranch Grill. Cynthia is the daughter of Kay and David James, the founders of James Ranch, and one of five siblings. The ranch was established in 1961 in the Animas Valley north of Durango. As a child, she was taught how to care for animals, as well