Shawn Keough-Hartz is the president and CEO of Provider Resources, Inc. (PRI), a certified woman-owned small business headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania. Here, Keough-Hartz talks with the Business Magazine about her company and the lessons that she has learned over the past 28 years as a successful businesswoman in the health-care industry.
Why did you decide to found Provider Resources in 2003?
Though we were operating a successful third-party health-care billing and management company and serving our provider clients in that capacity, I was driven to use our growing knowledge and reach within the health-care services community to turn PRI into a national-level company that would begin making a positive difference in the stewardship of the Medicare Trust Fund and state funds, in the integrity of clinical services provided and, ultimately, in outcomes to beneficiaries. I know that sounds somewhat presumptive but dedicated and knowledgeable subject matter experts, working collaboratively and at the proper levels in the federal health care space, can — and do — promote these kinds of changes.
What challenges did you face?
There were many challenges to this vision. We needed to provide services to our provider clients during a transition period while creating and implementing our new business plan. This plan included a significant change in our business model and further involved nationwide searches for strategic, key personnel. We also had to learn the many facets of federal contracting and how to successfully navigate the complex and extremely competitive federal contracting environment. As with all small businesses, capital is critical to business survival and we were no different than any other small business launching itself into a new venture.
What opportunities did being a certified woman-owned small business present?
PRI’s certification as a woman-owned business gave me the confidence to approach the federal government with our services. The government annually sets aside 5 percent of budgets for woman-owned businesses in contracted services. Without that knowledge and certification, I would not have envisioned the need for a company, such as mine, in that sector.
Please provide a brief description of the services that PRI provides.
PRI provides subject matter expertise to our federal health-care clients in the areasof public policy, program integrity, education and outreach, and health-care quality and disparities. These operational services are supported within our company by our media and graphics center and our IT infrastructure.
How has the business evolved?
PRI has grown exponentially, both in terms of revenue and employees. We currently have 168 employees, with about 40 percent being located in our Erie headquarters. The remainder, in keeping with our business model, are spread throughout Pennsylvania and 28 other states. We support a secure, virtual working environment, which has been critical to our attracting, hiring, and retaining many of our renowned health-care subject matter experts.
What advice would you give women who are looking to go into business for themselves?
My first piece of advice is to be passionate about your business and the services you plan to offer. Be diligent and be willing to listen to others criticize and tell you — in some cases, a very direct manner — that you will fail. Understand diversity and be willing to work through it and embrace it. Make sure you have the support you need to fulfill the challenges. If you don’t have the support, find it. Be resourceful. Be willing to learn from others; find a mentor. Believe and love what you do … It is crucial. (Thick skin doesn’t hurt!)
For more information about PRI, visit provider-resources.com.
