We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Basagoitia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. Day to day the world can seem like a tough place, but there’s also so much kindness in the world and we think talking about that kindness helps spread it and make the world a nicer, kinder place. Can you share a story of a time when someone did something really kind for you?

Supportive and Thoughtful. That describes 2 of the most kindest bosses I ever had. I must give credit where credit is due, they encouraged me to start my own business and still check on my to this day. I worked for them for a couple years and we were getting ready to change something about the computer system. ( I do not like change, so I vocalized this loudly) They suggested that I read this particular book, “Who Moved My Cheese?”
I absolutely read it. They were successful and smart so I wanted to take their advice. I then wrote them a 2 month resignation letter. I definitely mentioned the book they recommended to me in this letter. They took it well and thought it was both funny and motivating for me. They supported my decision to start a Mobile Phlebotomy company and helped any way that they could. They helped with advise, research and administrating my website for years. I will forever be grateful for them. Some of the best bosses that I have had in my whole life. I truly wish everyone could have a boss like them.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

After Medical assisting and phlebotomy school, the most important factor behind my successful business was creating my brand. My brand was one of the very to reach South Florida! Specializing in pediatrics and special needs, we grew by word of mouth like wild fire!

Working closely with the Autism Community since 2012 has helped our business and brand grow in many ways. Providing a service that many did not know was needed, has turned into a brand that many other phlebotomists have followed. Once I realized that this was a niche that many phlebotomists have a hard time with, I knew I had a business brand and ran with it, along with the confidence that comes with experience. We have been in business now for 14 years specializing in pediatric and special needs draws. We are called when nobody else has had success with drawing the patient.
I am most proud of myself and my small team for being experienced enough to provide such a stressful and tedious service when others have failed.
Many parents of the patients ask us why we are so good at what we do. Honestly, its experience. None of us are just out of school. Both myself and my team have drawn blood for at least 20 years if not more.
I created this particular business after 10 years in the medical field. After working in blood donation labs, many doctors offices, and Holy Cross Hospital in the emergency phlebotomy department for 4 years I felt I had enough knowledge under my belt to start something new. So far its working out. We love our special needs families SO much!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This was a tough one. However, it has made me who I am today.
When I first began this Mobile Phlebotomy journey I honestly thought I was going to work with the elderly community. As I began my business, a friend of mine who has an autistic son said I should advertise to do children and special needs. Mind you, this was after drawing her son successfully and never drawing pediatrics. (I used to pawn the pediatrics off to my coworkers for the 4 years I drew blood at the hospital.)
There was a different story written for me…Dr. Brian Udell, specializing in Autism called me after I advertised online. He asked if I could draw his patients in their homes. I mentioned that I was not comfortable with drawing pediatric patients. He then replied, “Interesting, you are a phlebotomist and should be able to draw anyone with a vein.” After a long silence, I admitted he was NOT wrong.
I told him that I would work with him as long as he sent me patients 5 years old and older so I could get the practice for the little ones.
Its truly crazy how much trust he had in me from a phone call. The first patient I drew for him was under 2 years old! I cried the night before the draw asking what I got myself into. Fast forward, I have been in business now for 14 years specializing in pediatric autism draws! I will be forever grateful to him. He believed in me when I did not believe in myself. A little fun fact, after a couple years in the Autism community I learned World Autism Day is April 2nd. It just so happens that my Birthday is April 2nd. Maybe I was born to do exactly what I am doing. That gives me comfort when meeting the families that I do!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Great Question. There are so many things that have helped with my resilience. Instead of going into too much detail I will list a few things here;

I am a very empathetic individual. I tend to take on other patients energy which tends to be anxiety and stress. I does take a toll on me as I tend to give my all to my patients. After a couple days I have to take a day to myself to reset so that I can continue to take on the difficult tasks. I have learned so much about grounding to help with this.

I had a partner that I brought on 6 years in. After 5 years with me, I had to break ties as I learned they were stealing from me. It was a tough year to recover from that. But I am still here standing strong.

Adversity comes with going into peoples homes. You never know what you are going to get. It is almost like an acting job. You learn to adjust and adapt so you can work successfully with all types of families.

Lastly, patience. It takes a lot of patience. When my team and the family are on board with this we always have a successful blood draw.

I think with everything mentioned, it gives you an idea of the resilience both myself and team have built over the years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mobilephlebotomyservicesfl.com/
• Instagram: @mobilephlebotomy
• Facebook: Mobile Phlebotomy Services of Florida, LLC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9YM7hsKrE4