Meet Keisha Wilson | Founder/CEO, Healthcare Compliance and Documentation Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keisha Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keisha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I envisioned consulting full-time for a few years but hesitated to take that leap. I have worked part-time as a consultant for 7-8 years. I am passionate about medical compliance, coding and documentation. I love taking what is complex, simplifying it and teaching it to others. I noticed many hospitals and organizations started to outsource, so why not become the source? But not just any source but a reliable source that brings tons of value and integrity to everything we do and continues to help clients propel and excel to the next level with our tailored educational training.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have been in healthcare for over 20+ years and have held various positions in large teaching hospitals, from front desk receptionist to coder, auditor, and compliance manager. I was a part-time consultant to different coding companies for 7 – 8 years.

I envisioned consulting full-time for a few years but hesitated to take that leap. In 2021, after explaining what I did to a friend who asked why I wasn’t doing this independently. Why don’t you bet on yourself? That year, I created my yearly vision board and was intentional about the words and pictures I used. I pasted some words: Entrepreneur, Female Boss, Make Room for the Unexpected, Flexibility, Growth and Leadership, and most importantly, Faith and God. I could not imagine that creating this vision board in the last month of 2021 would shape my 2022.

Six months later, I created my KW Advanced Consulting LLC the first week of June. A few weeks later, my corporate job decided to go in another direction. We all know what that means, and this caused me to pivot and focus on my business full-time. I spoke with my friend the day this happened, who laid out all the steps and books to read when starting a business.

This role requires intense research, staying current and interpreting policy and yearly guidelines changes. You can imagine that learning never stops. During the last ten years, I spent much time perfecting my craft, getting certified in six different medical auditing and coding areas. I knew this would work because I am dedicated, passionate, and prayed about it. It also came with considerable sacrifice away from family and friends. Medical compliance and coding can seem challenging; you’re guiding physicians, clinical staff, organizations, and private practices on compliant documentation, coding and billing. I am told I have these soft skills you can’t teach everyone: patience, kindness, empathy, assertiveness and knowledge, which helps set me apart.

I am great at multitasking, but entrepreneurship takes my skills to a new level; you’re wearing multiple hats until you can afford to hire staff. Thank goodness for the Selfmade program that provided free tools and resources to help with daily workflow—my mentor, sister, and friends who were business owners who gave guidance.

I built my company’s website, another challenge. I had never done that type of coding before, but I researched and figured it out, even if it took me hours, weeks and sleepless nights. I channelled my writing and art skills when creating blog posts and marketing designs. But I completely respect and appreciate every part of my business now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have been vegan for the last eight years, so I will list some of my favorite restaurants and places I like to visit.

One of my favorite places to eat is in Brooklyn, a pizza place called Barboncino; they make the best brick oven pizza. I usually get the eggplant and zucchini pizza, no cheese with arugula. I have been going there for years, sometimes after a long day. The ambience is lovely, the people there are super nice, and they know my order by heart (laugh out loud). They should name that pizza after me.

Mexican is my next favorite go-to meal; anyone would tell you I love a good guacamole.
Fonda Park Slope, Chela also in Park Slope and Viva Toro, I am sure I am missing some, but I love those. Now, my family is from Grenada, so I love Caribbean food; some recent favorite is Sugar’D, Imani, Aunts et Uncles.
Also, you can’t forget Greedi Vegan all have excellent mouth-watering food.

Things to do: I love Prospect Park; from the jogging trails to the big lake with various water activities, it’s one of my favorite places. If I am not working out, I sit there watching all the diverse cultures and enjoying the nice breeze. I also love Dumbo; there is so much to do and see, from the restaurants, shops and views of the city line and bridges; it is just amazing. Then you cross the bridge, and I enjoy South Street Seaport, Governors Island, and Central Park; Manhattan is beautiful. If you are in Long Island in the summer, Nautical Mile in Freeport has been a recent favorite of mine; it reminds me a bit of Miami.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a huge shout-out and thank you to my mom (Augusta) and sister (Kamelle) first off. They have been my biggest supporters during this journey, from listening to my ideas to my sister reviewing post and newsletters before I send them out. I also want to thank you, extended family and friends I will say I could not have done it without my family and friends. Some people never have support, but I have tons. From the moment I told them what my plans and next steps were. They were supportive and wanted to assist in any way possible. They have posted and shared my blogs and articles and joined documentation and coding webinars.

My Score mentor, especially the Selfmade Entrepreneurship program through Brit + Co. Office Depot, was sponsoring scholarships for those seeking to apply. I was accepted and started the program immediately, attending workshops, taking online courses, reading books and researching. I wanted to understand everything about owning and running a successful business. That program has been so instrumental in my launching the business. They also have a fantastic community of supportive founders who support you in everything you do.

Website: https://kwadvancedconsulting.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kwadvancedconsulting/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kw-advanced-consulting-llc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kwadvancedcons

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KWAdvancedConsulting

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KWAdvancedConsulting

Image Credits
Damien Jackson Photography