Welcome back to Care to CEO, the show where real-life experiences transform into ownership, leadership, and lasting legacy. In today’s episode, host Crystal Smith, an entrepreneur, mentor, and advocate for breaking down barriers in the care industry, dives deep into the power of mentorship that doesn’t just hand out surface-level advice but lifts the curtain and truly opens doors.

You’ll hear Crystal Smith reflect on her journey from feeling like an outsider, struggling with imposter syndrome and gatekeeping in her field, to building her own tables where everyone is welcome. She shares personal stories of perseverance, building generational wealth, and how she now champions other women and new care agency leaders to become CEOs themselves. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at her recent experience at a professional convention, insights on building supportive communities, and honest conversations about entrepreneurship, mentorship, and why asking for help is the ultimate strategy.

If you’ve ever felt held back by self-doubt or struggled to find genuine support, this episode is for you. Crystal Smith opens up about what real mentorship looks like, why it’s especially vital for women, caregivers, and first-generation business owners, and how it’s never too early, or too late, to step into your power as a CEO.

Stay tuned as Crystal Smith reminds us that success is not reserved for a select few, and building a legacy starts with showing up for yourself and others, every single day.

Timestamps:

00:00 "Mentorship That Breaks Barriers"

06:43 Redefining Humble and Empowerment

11:24 "Struggling with Success Guilt"

17:28 Presence Speaks Louder Than Words

23:05 "Figuring Things Out Through Calls"

28:12 Fear, Confidence, and Sharing Information

36:18 Unlocking Your Natural Potential

43:11 Caregiver to CEO Mindset Shift

44:33 "Delegation Over Control"

51:06 Clarity, Structure, Accountability

56:13 "Overcoming Hesitation to Start"

01:01:38 "Mentorship, Access, and Care Business"

Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/

Crystal Smith - https://www.crystalsmithandco.com/

Crystal Smith Mentoring - https://ft.crystalsmith.online/

TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to the 10th episode of Care to CEO! This is the show where caregivers learn to step confidently into entrepreneurship and turn their passion for helping others into thriving, profitable businesses. In this milestone episode, care business expert Crystal Smith gives an honest deep dive into one of the trickiest (and most crucial) parts of running a business: pricing.

So many caregivers struggle with putting a dollar value on the work that comes so naturally to them. Crystal shares her journey from undercharging out of guilt to claiming her worth and building an impactful, sustainable care agency. Crystal has an open conversation about overcoming the mindset blocks around money, shifting from a caregiver to a CEO perspective, and the nuts and bolts of setting rates with confidence, whether you’re working with Medicaid, private pay, or contracts.

You’ll hear real stories about setting boundaries, honoring the value of your services, and why you simply can’t build an empire if you’re afraid to invoice. Crystal offers tips for new agency owners on researching their market, factoring in those easily-forgotten expenses, and how to powerfully communicate their worth: no guilt, no apology.

If you’ve ever wondered how to price your care services, battle with imposter syndrome, or just need a boost to stand firm in your value, this episode is your permission slip to finally charge what you’re worth and build the business you deserve. Tune in to get inspired, empowered, and equipped for your next bold step as a Care to CEO!

Timestamps:

00:00 Caregiving to CEO Mindset Transition

06:09 Pricing and Value in Social Services

08:54 Transforming Confidence Through Care

12:43 "Strictly 24-Hour Care Model"

16:16 "Benefits of 24/7 Care Model"

17:16 Bold Goals Beat Fearful Limits

20:33 Changing Views on Property Leasing

24:05 "Owning and Showing Your Value"

29:33 "Proven Success Through Foundations"

33:00 "Building Value Through Networking"

34:33 "Knowing Your Worth, Women"

37:16 "Price Confidently, Build Powerfully"

Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/

Crystal Smith - https://www.crystalsmithandco.com/

Crystal Smith Mentoring - https://ft.crystalsmith.online/

TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care to CEO, the podcast where we empower real people to build thriving care businesses. In this episode, the inspiring Crystal Smith digs into a topic that’s truly at the heart of any successful care company: client retention.

Crystal shares lessons learned from her years of experience, from landing that vital first client to building systems that keep clients, families, and caseworkers coming back. You’ll hear practical tips on how to make new clients feel safe from day one, the top reasons care agencies lose clients, and what it takes to build trust through strong communication and follow-up. Plus, Crystal opens up about the key systems she’s put in place to make sure no client or team member falls through the cracks, and how client experience has become her best marketing tool.

Whether you’re just starting your care agency or looking to level up your retention game, Crystal’s transparent, actionable advice will show you how retention, reputation, and real relationships are the true foundations of a thriving care business. Stay tuned for insights on creating a genuinely supportive culture and Crystal’s next step: mentoring other care entrepreneurs. Let’s dive in!

Timestamps:

00:00 Retention and Relationship in Caregiving

04:57 Navigating Post-Honeymoon Adjustments

08:09 Avoiding Common Client Service Mistakes

11:56 Nonstop Meetings and Updates

14:55 The Power of Word-of-Mouth

16:22 Choosing Caregiver Systems: Research & Options

20:46 Embracing New Business Passions

23:14 Open Feedback Embraced

27:44 Empathy and Feedback in Caregiving

30:30 Client Retention and Business Growth

32:08 "Exciting Conversation Awaited"

Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/

Crystal Smith - https://www.crystalsmithandco.com/

Crystal Smith Mentoring - https://ft.crystalsmith.online/

TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”