Women’s History Month – Erica Sell
What's your name and your business?
My name is Erica Sell and my company is Harmony Home Medical.
Tell us more about your business.
Harmony Home Medical was an idea I had when I went back home to help with a family crisis. I grew up working in a company similar to Harmony, except the products where only for Medicare. So it was a medical supply that was based out of a warehouse, which is how most medical supply stores were at the time in 2008. I had gone home to help my mom and saw all these amazing products that she never showed to the public. I got to measure wheelchairs and people's bathrooms, and it was only for the retail center which is for children. And I said 'How come you don't provide this for seniors?' and 'How come we don't show it in a retail setting?' she said the reason was because Medicare doesn't pay for it. I thought that was crazy, what if people want to pay for it, what if they want to know. She said no one would pay for it because Medicare doesn't cover it. So that was the idea, that's where the idea was born, and I had an inkling she might be wrong on that. The amazing work that she did should be more public facing. So I came down to San Diego and took a booth at the Del Mar Fair and that's where I tried my idea for the first time, and then the rest is history.
What inspired you to become a business owner?
Well first was seeing the problem that needed to be solved, I thought that there was a better way to sell and market medical supplies, and treat our seniors and elders how they deserve to be. But opening that shop and being in charge of what happened was really liberating and I found it a way for me to express myself creatively. I'm not an expert with a paint brush or anything traditionally artistic but business was my creative expression. My way to create something that didn't exist and make the world a better place.
What challenges have you faced as a woman-owned business?
There can be many challenges as a woman in business. At first it was really hard not just being a woman but being young to be taken seriously by any banks and be able to get any credit or have someone lease me a building. I had to have cosigners for all of that in the beginning. Secondly, sometimes just being heard and seen in networking events, especially if they're golfing networking events. There can be many times when it's difficult to get the ear of a prominent person being a small, female business owner. Sometimes my presence needed to be asserted a little more maybe than others. Those things for sure have been notable but the longer I've been in business the easier it has become because I now have my credibility and reputation behind me.
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Advice I have for other women business owners is one, when you're getting afraid or coming up against a challenge that makes you feel fearful, just keep pushing through. You might be on the brink of exactly what you needed. Being a business owner is not for the faint of heart and it's going to challenge you constantly but if you don't push through that challenge then you're never really going to take it to the level that you want to take it. So just go for it. Also, I would say it's ok to feel dishearten or disenchanted on certain days, sometimes we all have those feelings. But, get back on the saddle, get back out there. Remember why you're doing it and have some fun. Have some fun and just do it anyways, it's not easy but once you cross that bridge where you know your business is going to stay and you'll be in business for some time to come then it's all worth it. It's all worth it so don't give up.
Where can we find Harmony Home Medical?
You can find Harmony online at harmonyhomemedical.com. We have a store in San Diego, on Clairemont Mesa Blvd, and we have a store here in Vista on West Vista Way. You can give us a call at (858) 560-8177.