Celebrating Black History: how one woman has turned her passion for helping others into a much needed business

Celebrating Black History doesn’t always mean digging deep into the past.

Sometimes it is about giving props to those who are making a difference right now!

This week, Keeping it REAL Caregiving is featuring a California business owner providing support services for families needing in-home care for elders, or adults with disabilities.

I caught up with Kesha Boyce, founder and owner of Blooming Rose Home Care based in Pleasanton, California (that’s in the San Franciso Bay Area).

Julia Yarbough/Keeping it REAL Caregiving & Kesha Boyce/Blooming Rose Home Care

Boyce is a young African American woman who launched her business in August, 2021.

However, the seeds of this vision were planted while she was still a teenager. She shares with us some wonderful insight for families and potential caregivers.

*This interview has been edited for clarity To watch the full video segment, click here

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1. How it all started

I come from a background of women who are in the health care field. I went to Oakland Tech and even in 9th grade I was in Health Academy. All of my classes were tailored around healthcare. I knew this was going to be the road I was going to take.

In high school I was even a Candy Striper!

Candy Stripers: Merriam-Webster Definition

‘a usually teenage volunteer worker at a hospital ‘

And yes, some programs still do exist for such training

Then, I remember being about 17 or 18 and I visited Craigslist looking for ‘gigs.’ There were all of these people who wanted care. One lady called me back and hired me and I spent about six years with that lady before she passed away. I was all she and her mother had.

EMT School/Courtesy: Kesha Boyce

During that time I also went to EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) school, but then realized I did’t want to do that type of work, I wanted to do caregiving.

I went to work at different assisted living facilities, I worked with hospice, I worked at different in-home care agencies. I pretty much learned the ins and outs of how all of them worked.

In 2014, I realized I wanted to own my own agency.

The early years/Courtesy: Kesha Boyce

2. The importance of making a ‘good fit’

I don’t just pair people because they have availability. I look at things like: what are your interests? What do you like? If you love to eat I won’t pair you with Sarah who can’t cook, or Jessica who has never made a meal.

I pair off of interests, things you like, things you like to do, things that will make you feel more connected prior to having a caregiver.

It is important to have someone that you feel connected to.

Kesha Boyce/Blooming Rose Home Care

3. Diversity, equity and inclusion for agency ownership

I just went to visit a new client in the hospital. His son was there and said that his dad may not appreciate this.

We got that handled in 30-minutes. The man said to me, ‘I get caregivers that look like you, I get other people that come in and look like you, but I’ve never had an agency owner come in that looks like you; that looks like me!’

That was really touching, because I had never thought about it like that. It’s important that you have diversity within this community because you want people to feel comfortable.

If I’m going to spend my life with someone or the time I do have needing care, I want that person to connect to me.

4. What families need to ask

How is the staffing? How do you hire people? What’s the criteria? Are they background checked? You would be surprised at how many agencies don’t do background checks.

We also do a deep training. We look at the training you previously had. We do ongoing training as well. It’s like going to an online school. You have different criteria; whether it’s Covid, new ways to transfer, how to talk to family members, activities.

5. What potential caregivers should know

You gotta really feel it. You have to feel it in your heart. If this happens to you, your mother, dad or loved one, you want someone to come in there and provide the same care that you are about to give someone.

Every time you walk into someone’s house, you think this is your family. You give them that same love, dedication and compassion you would your own family. If you give them that you cannot go wrong.

BRAVO Kesha for following your passions and dreams in a way that can help others! Be sure to check out the video segment for more contact information.

And remember, each Friday during February, KIRC is featuring a special segment celebrating Black History – so stay tuned for more!

Until next time,

Julia

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