From Setbacks to Significance: What HCAF HomeCareCon 2025 Taught Me About Service, Leadership, and Letting Go

Delayed flights. Rainstorms. A long travel day just to get to Orlando.

That’s how my HomeCareCon 2025 experience began. But as soon as I walked into that bright, buzzing exhibit hall—and saw our Ascension Business Solutions booth come to life at Booth #313—my exhaustion faded.

In its place: a deep sense of purpose.

This wasn’t just another conference. This was a reminder of why we exist. Why we serve. Why we keep showing up—for ourselves, for our teams, and for the thousands of home care agency owners who are holding their operations together day after day.

 

Below are the key moments, lessons, and realizations I brought home with me. I hope they resonate with you—whether you’re a care provider, a founder, or a leader searching for clarity in this ever-demanding industry

Setbacks Slowed Us Down—But They Didn’t Win

Before I even landed in Florida, I had every reason to feel off course.

The travel delays. The stormy skies. The change of plans. The waiting.

But when I finally stood in front of our booth, surrounded by our brilliant team and the energy of a passionate community, I remembered something important:

Our mission is bigger than any flight delay.

 

Being a Gold Sponsor at HomeCareCon 2025 wasn’t just about visibility—it was about commitment. It was about showing up for the home care community in a tangible, meaningful way.

 

And despite every hiccup, we did just that.

This Industry Moves at the Speed of Relationship

One of my greatest takeaways from this event wasn’t found in the speaker sessions or even the formal panels.

It was found in conversations. The kind that surprise you. The kind that stay with you.

I got to speak with:

These weren’t networking chats. These were real human moments that made me think deeper about how we serve. They reminded me that in a world of systems and scaling, what people crave most is connection.

Delegation Isn’t Weakness—It’s Leadership

If there was one personal realization that hit me hardest this week, it’s this:

I was never meant to carry all of this alone.

  • When Patricia Fernandez welcomed us at the airport and seamlessly handled logistics, I exhaled.

  • When Jennifer Grey Meredith confidently led booth demos and represented Ascension with warmth and professionalism, I watched our mission come alive—without me needing to be at the center of it all.

That is the gift of delegation done right.

So many home care owners are still trying to do everything themselves—running payroll, answering calls, handling compliance, managing hiring and onboarding, and wondering why they’re burnt out.

We’ve built Ascension Business Solutions to change that reality.
Our Virtual Assistants aren’t just administrative help—they’re trained, mission-aligned extensions of your business who can carry the load so you can focus on what truly matters: leading, growing, and living.

ICEBAR Orlando: A Cold Room, But the Warmest Hearts

One of the highlights of HomeCareCon week? Our private ICEBAR networking event.

 

Yes, it was freezing. Yes, we wore coats over our carefully chosen outfits. But none of that mattered.

Because in that frosty room, the energy was nothing short of electric.

Together with our valued partners—EnkiScribe, Ally MS, and CareTime—we hosted an unforgettable night filled with storytelling, laughter, and shared mission.

We weren’t pitching. We were connecting.


And the people who came? They came not just because of a brand—they came because they feel seen by what we do.

 

To every person who joined us: Thank you. You reminded me how beautiful this community can be when we come together.

Booth #313 Was More Than a Display—It Was a Destination

Throughout the week, something special happened at Booth #313.

People didn’t just stop by. They lingered. They opened up. They asked real questions. They told real stories.

A few standout moments:

  • A Humana representative shared how rare it is to see a company that balances tech, heart, and operations the way we do.

  • I met Melissa Hatmaker and her colleague from Home Helpers, two women who are leading with so much grace and grit.

  • Ofelia and Frank Ferrer of Caring Professional Services reminded me of why we serve smaller, independent agencies with such focus.

  • A thought-provoking exchange with Kevin Calcado of Claim Health, who’s making waves in the healthcare tech landscape.

These weren’t just chance meetings. These were connections.


And in an industry as people-driven as home care, those connections are everything.

You Don’t Have to Be Everything to Everyone

Years ago, I believed that the only way to succeed was to do more. Take on more. Prove more.

Now, I believe the opposite.

Success isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what only you can do.

If you’re reading this and you’re a home care owner who’s:

  • drowning in admin work

  • losing sleep over on-call issues

  • spending your weekends managing last-minute staff crises

…please know this:

You were not meant to build your business alone.
And with the right support system—one that understands your mission and operates with heart—you don’t have to.

We’ve helped agency owners reclaim their time, reduce their stress, and grow with clarity. Our Virtual Assistants aren’t a luxury—they’re a lifeline.

Let’s Stay Connected—and Keep This Momentum Going

To the Home Care Association of Florida: Thank you for creating a space where real conversations and real impact can thrive.

To everyone who stopped by our booth, connected at the ICEBAR, or shared a moment with us: We are just getting started.

And to my incredible team—Patricia, Jennifer, and every VA working behind the scenes—you are the heartbeat of Ascension. You carried this vision right alongside me, and I’m endlessly grateful.

Ready to Delegate and Scale Your Agency?

If this message resonated with you, and you’re ready to take the next step:

👉 Follow us here at Ascension Business Solutions LLC
👉 Connect with me—I’d love to hear your story

 

We’re not just a vendor. We’re a partner. And we’re ready when you are.

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