[MissT74]

I'm a statistic, getting pregnant at 17 and becoming a single parent at age 18. I lived paycheck to paycheck for 8 LONG years always working in the medical field. My last "job" was for a million dollar billing service and I finally realized, "I can do this myself".

I moved out of the big city to a smaller community, where I was the first billing service to open. Being that I had always lived paycheck to paycheck, I did not have savings, no money to put into a business, but was willing to get a part time job while trying to start.

I ended up calling a Podiatrist in town who invited me in for an interview, while there we discovered that we knew each other and that I had actually worked for him at a huge podiatry practice in Phoenix 6 years previous. Talk about fate!

So instead of hiring me for front office work, he signed up and became my first client. I started my business with literally $50, there is a stationary store that would sell me envelopes and the neccessary forms for me individually and not by the box, so I would go in and buy 10 envelopes, 2 pens, 30 HCFA's (insurance forms), 10 stamps, etc.

My first check is hanging on my wall to this date and was for $187.03.

Since then I have gained clients, lost clients, hired employees, fired employees, sent a monthly invoice for $79.00, sent a monthly invoice for $16,700, etc. etc.

Lots of ups and downs, but VERY rewarding and I look back to where I was and where I am now and am very proud of myself. Proud that I was able to get the courage to open a business with a child to take care of, proud of the relationships I have made with my clients, both past and present, and with my employee relationships.

I currently have 4 clients, just hired my 3rd employee yesterday and gross low-mid 6 figures yearly. Going onto my 6th year and can finally say, "I did it!"

Now....onto the next business idea....tee hee.

T