We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Paula Anderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Paula below.
Alright, Paula thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.
In 2014, I decided to return to school because I was seeking a change. I enrolled at the University of Memphis to pursue a second bachelor’s degree. In 2015, I had an opportunity to complete an internship. I was working a full-time job, so I decided to leave my job and take a risk. I worked an unpaid internship because at 44 years old I wanted to explore a new career path. This experience totally changed my life. I was able to use my creativity on this internship and I felt so empowered and refreshed. I was an empty nester at the time too, and this helped me to reinvent myself.
Paula, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Paula Anderson Coaching and Consulting LLC offers continuing education to medical coders, medical billers and licensed massage therapists. This consists of workshops and courses on various topics. With over 35 years of experience, I am transferring my knowledge to others who want to enter the field of medical billing and coding. When I started in the industry, I did not know anything about the field.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Over the years, I have bootstrapped my business because my personal credit score was not where it needed to be. However, in 2021, I was able to get funding from a community development financial institution (CDFI). because I started to rebuild my credit history. Over a period of two years, I worked to increase my credit score by 70 points. This was done by making sacrifices. Additionally, in 2019 I worked with a financial coach to help me monitor my goals and spending habits. This gave me a sense of confidence because my income was low, and I was still pursuing my graduate degree.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Contact Info:
- Website: paulaandersononline.net
- Linkedin: Paula Anderson Coaching and Consulting LLC
- Youtube: Paula Anderson Coaching and Consulting LLC
Image Credits
Isaac Singleton and Johari Hamilton