We had the good fortune of connecting with Shalonda “Shay” Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shalonda “Shay”, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve been in the medical field for 25 years. I started my own Phlebotomy Training School 5 years ago, it is called Elite Art of Phlebotomy Training, LLC, still successful til this day. And then I started my own Mobile Lab Services 3 years ago as well. The name of my mobile lab services is called Elite ProLab Mobile Services, LLC. My thought process behind starting my own business was to simply help people. For the Phlebotomy School- I never thought that I would have my own school-but I’ve been drawing blood for 21 years and I’ve always had people tell me that I should start my own school and teach people how to draw because I had the skills to draw and they never felt it. So I did research and started my own school. Then when Covid hit really hard, I was a supervisor at a popular laboratory and I noticed that our patients started slowing up a little because they was afraid to come in and get labs done. So I started researching on how to start my own mobile lab business, where the patient will not have to leavin their homes to get labs done. I will come to you. So this is where it all started.

    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?
Getting to where I am today was not easy. It was a lot of long nights-trying to figure out how I was going to start my school. I had to reach out to multiple people (that would give me information) because people these days don’t like to share anything. But Google and YouTube was my friend. So it took a lot of research as well as knowledge that I already knew put them together to have an awesome school. My reviews on Google has gotten me so many students. I have had students travel from all over Texas to come join my classes. For the Mobile Lab business-same thing- a lot of research and I ended up getting partnered with one company to draw their patients, then before you know it-the way I service my patients and the reviews that I got on Google-more companies started to reach out for me to partner with them. So now I have 5 contracts along with random patients that find me on Google that need my services,

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well I love music and dance. If my friend was coming to visit for a week, I would take her to maybe the Gallaria so some shopping- I like Turkey Leg Hut and Lost and Found.. I love seafood – so I would go to Pappadeaux or Perry’s Steakhouse, or Kiss- Post Houston is a great place to hang out as well. I like Kamp Houston as well for hanging out. Andretti is a fun place as well-has gocarts. Later on may go to the spa- I love Spa World. I would catch a Houston Rockets Basketball game or if the Texans was playing- I would take her there as well or even Astros. I love sports!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First I would like to shout to GOD!! I would not be here today doing what I love, and OWNING my own not one but 2 businesses without him guiding me and covering me. I would also like to shout out my Husband Charles Johnson. He has been my rock, a great listener, he always pushed me when I wanted to give up. Shout out to my kids- my 2 oldest kids are also phlebotomist. I put them through my school-so they are also working with me and my business..Building an empire! Last but not least-My parents. My mom was a phlebotomist and she has taught me everything I know about the lab world, and my dad for being there spiritually( yes I am a PK – Preacher’s Kid) LOL!

 

Website: Eliteartofphlebotomytraining.com & eliteprolabms.com

Instagram: Eliteartofphlebotomy/instagram.com & elitepro_labms/instagram.com

Linkedin: Elite Pro-Lab Mobile Services, LLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eliteartofphlebotomy?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Que Samuels- He did my professional pics and he did my business commercials

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