More Than a Caregiver: Denise Bell’s Story
04/23/25 • 40 min
In this episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, hosts Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks welcome guest Denise Bell—former home care agency owner, skincare brand founder, and bold advocate for personal growth. From Kodak cubicles in the '80s to Grammy swag bags in 2024, Denise walks us through her transformative journey through entrepreneurship, burnout, and rediscovery.
She shares how home health taught her about the selflessness of nurses, why she left it all behind, and what it really means to prioritize your own needs in a caregiving world. Expect unfiltered real talk, emotional insight, and laughter you didn’t know you needed.
📌 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:15 – Kodak beginnings and the power of customer service
06:00 – Getting into home health: family, Craig Carter, and career pivots
11:00 – Burnout in caregiving: the warning signs and what comes next
17:00 – Reinventing herself at 44: Esthetician school and Five Circle Skincare
24:00 – The psychology of self-talk and finding your voice
29:00 – Practical self-care vs. performative wellness
36:00 – Rituals, relationships, and the ice cream story
39:00 – Denise's message for overworked women and caregivers
40:00 – Outro and future topics
🎧 Listen on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | thehomecareexperience.com
Mentioned in the Episode:
- Five Circle Skincare (Denise’s brand)
- Baldwin Beauty School, Austin
- Craig Carter and the role of cost reporting in home care
In this episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, hosts Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks welcome guest Denise Bell—former home care agency owner, skincare brand founder, and bold advocate for personal growth. From Kodak cubicles in the '80s to Grammy swag bags in 2024, Denise walks us through her transformative journey through entrepreneurship, burnout, and rediscovery.
She shares how home health taught her about the selflessness of nurses, why she left it all behind, and what it really means to prioritize your own needs in a caregiving world. Expect unfiltered real talk, emotional insight, and laughter you didn’t know you needed.
📌 Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:15 – Kodak beginnings and the power of customer service
06:00 – Getting into home health: family, Craig Carter, and career pivots
11:00 – Burnout in caregiving: the warning signs and what comes next
17:00 – Reinventing herself at 44: Esthetician school and Five Circle Skincare
24:00 – The psychology of self-talk and finding your voice
29:00 – Practical self-care vs. performative wellness
36:00 – Rituals, relationships, and the ice cream story
39:00 – Denise's message for overworked women and caregivers
40:00 – Outro and future topics
🎧 Listen on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | thehomecareexperience.com
Mentioned in the Episode:
- Five Circle Skincare (Denise’s brand)
- Baldwin Beauty School, Austin
- Craig Carter and the role of cost reporting in home care
Previous Episode
Rate Enhancement: How to Maximize TX Medicaid Reimbursement Without Losing Your Shirt
Understanding Texas Medicaid Rate Enhancement—and why it matters for Personal Assistance Services providers
In Episode 5 of The Home Care Experience with T&A, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks unpack the complexities of this powerful but often misunderstood Texas program. From how to enroll and measure compliance, to using bonuses strategically and avoiding devastating recoupments, this is a must-listen for PAS providers and agency owners.
Whether you’re new to rate enhancement or trying to protect your current reimbursement level, this episode gives you actionable insights to protect your business and support your staff.
🔗 Explore more episodes & show notes: https://thehomecareexperience.com
Next Episode
Mergers & Acquisitions in Home Care: What You Need to Know
Welcome to The Home Care Experience with T&A! In Episode 7, Amy and Troy explore the complex—and often misunderstood—world of buying and selling home care agencies. If you've ever thought about selling your agency, acquiring another, or advising someone through the process, this episode is for you. Get practical legal and financial guidance, learn what mistakes to avoid, and walk away with a much clearer idea of what it takes to succeed in a home care M&A.
You’ll Learn:
- What a proper M&A process looks like in home care
- Stock vs. asset purchase: pros, cons, and consequences
- How due diligence protects both buyer and seller
- Why rushing the deal can backfire
- When to call in the professionals—and why it matters
🎧 Don’t miss Troy’s real talk about brokers and Amy’s breakdown of why a “friendly deal” still needs legal backup.
0:00 – Intro
0:46 – What "Mergers & Acquisitions" Really Means
2:00 – The Realities of the Process
3:30 – NDAs and Sharing Info
4:30 – The “Non-Binding” LOI Myth
8:00 – Stock Purchase vs. Asset Purchase
13:45 – Due Diligence: Financial vs. Clinical
18:00 – Regulatory and Tax Landmines
26:00 – Cost Reports, Buyer Risk & CPAs
30:00 – The Broker Factor
40:00 – Red Flags, “Too Good to Be True” Deals
45:00 – Final Thoughts
Hashtags:
#HomeCarePodcast #HealthcareHeroes #CaregivingTips #MergersAndAcquisitions #HealthcareLeadership #HomeCareInnovation
Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always consult with your own attorney, CPA, or qualified advisor before making decisions related to buying, selling, or operating a home care business.
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