Care to CEO
The only podcast built for underdog entrepreneurs, everyday people, and caregivers who want to build their own care-based business (Group Homes, Home Care, Foster Care, Behavioral Health Housing, Veteran Housing, etc.) without a trust fund or a fancy degree.
This show is hosted by Crystal Smith, a former CNA turned CEO & City Councilwoman, who shares the real, unfiltered, from-the-trenches playbook, helping you focus on the transformation journey from being an overworked and underpaid worker to becoming CEO and business owner — just like Crystal did — with tactical steps, mindset shifts, mentorship, and hard truths.
Care to CEO
The Power of Showing Up: Mindset Shifts for First-Generation Entrepreneurs
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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.”