Welcome back to Care to CEO, the podcast where everyday caregivers transform into confident care entrepreneurs. In this episode, Crystal Smith - Mother, former CNA, Black Woman CEO, and City Councilwoman - digs into the real, often untold truth: women of color, especially caregivers, are not the underdogs. In fact, they’re uniquely built for business leadership.
Crystal shares her inspiring journey from managing a multigenerational household to founding her own care business and winning a city council seat. She unveils how the so-called "soft skills" develop through a lifetime of caregiving, like resilience, resourcefulness, and emotional intelligence. These are actually women's greatest business strengths. Crystal tackles the realities of impostor syndrome, being underestimated, and turning adversity into advantage.
Get ready for actionable insights, hard-won wisdom, and a strong message: those everyday skills you use to care for your family and community are the very building blocks of a powerful entrepreneurial legacy. If you’re a caregiver or a woman of a minority considering entrepreneurship, this episode will leave you feeling seen, equipped, and empowered to just start, because your story, your strength, and your leadership matter now more than ever.
Timestamps:
00:00 Innate Leadership in Adversity
03:57 Leadership Rooted in Compassion
07:23 Recognizing Undervalued Soft Skills
10:41 Empowering Entrepreneurs of Color
14:28 Entrepreneurial Journey: Triumphs and Trials
17:58 Mentorship for Marginalized Communities
21:28 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
25:12 "Embrace Trial and Error"
26:31 "Just Start Your Journey"
Why Women with Soft Skills Are Already Built to Lead: Insights from Care to CEO Episode 6
In the latest episode of the Care to CEO podcast, Crystal Smith dives deeply into a powerful message: women of minorities, especially caregivers, are not behind in the world of entrepreneurship. Instead, they are uniquely equipped to become confident, thriving care entrepreneurs. Crystal Smith - mother, former CNA, business owner, and city councilwoman - shares candid insights about her journey from underdog to industry leader, emphasizing why her background was actually her superpower.
Your Soft Skills Are CEO Superpowers
Throughout the episode, Crystal reframes the narrative around the so-called “soft skills” often attributed to women and caregivers. She emphasizes, “The world calls it soft, but it’s really strategic.” Skills like multitasking, conflict resolution, empathy, and emotional intelligence are essential to managing homes, families, and teams, and are invaluable in running a successful business. Crystal explains that women of color, who have juggled caregiving alongside multiple other responsibilities, already operate as CEOs in their daily lives.
These deeply engrained abilities, such as de-escalating conflict or stretching a budget, rival the skills listed on any corporate job description. They are not only transferable but critical to entrepreneurship, especially in the home healthcare industry.
From Surviving to Thriving: Turning History into Legacy
Crystal’s story is a testament to resilience and resourcefulness. Growing up in a multi-generational home and witnessing her grandmother and mother care for others, she learned the true meaning of service and leadership. She points out that black and brown women, men, and communities have been caregivers for generations - sometimes underpaid, often overlooked - and now it’s time to transition from serving in the system to owning the business.
Crystal emphasizes that entrepreneurial opportunities like group homes, foster care, and behavioral health housing are accessible entry points for first-time entrepreneurs, especially people of color. You don’t need millions or investors to get started; what you need is a blend of structure, mentorship, and a genuine heart for service.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Walking in Your Purpose
Crystal spends time digging into the realities of impostor syndrome and being underestimated. Crystal shares her candid experiences of walking into boardrooms or licensing offices and feeling dismissed because of her race or gender. Rather than letting these moments discourage her, she allowed them to sharpen her resolve. She decided to lead with purpose, data, and impact, ultimately making herself impossible to ignore. Her message to others: being underestimated is someone else’s miscalculation, not your limitation.
Why Mentorship and Visibility Matter
Mentorship is another theme running strongly through the episode. Crystal discusses the importance of opening doors for others, especially minority women. “Gatekeeping just keeps our community stuck, mentorship helps move the needle,” she says. By teaching, supporting, and multiplying resources within the community, she believes everyone can rise together, creating a legacy that benefits more than just one individual or business.
Visibility is equally critical. When young girls and aspiring entrepreneurs see Crystal thriving as a Black Woman CEO and former City Councilwoman, it expands their vision of what’s possible. Representation in business and leadership inspires confidence and breaks generational barriers.
Just Start: Blueprint, Not Baggage
The episode closes with an empowering message: don’t mistake being tired for being incapable. Everything you’ve survived and learned is not baggage; it’s your blueprint for legacy. Crystal’s parting advice? “Just start. Even if you’re scared, even if it’s small. Your community is waiting, and your legacy has your name on it.”
Care to CEO - Podcast Show Website - https://caretoceo.com/
Crystal Smith - https://www.crystalsmithandco.com/
TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/