From Trucking to Healthcare: Zakariya’s Inspiring Transition
My name is Zakariya Ahmed, and I live in Ohio. I come from a hardworking background in transportation services, running a trucking company for several years. It was through my work and community connections that I saw another need rising around me — reliable, compassionate healthcare transportation and home assistance for seniors and Medicaid clients. That’s when the idea sparked: what if I could build something more meaningful? A healthcare venture that not only transported people safely, but cared for them with dignity?
I realized I wanted to create my own Skilled Home Health Agency (HHA) and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) service right here in Ohio—offering real support where it mattered most. But having the dream was one thing. Figuring out where to start was another.
Navigating the Complexities of Launching a Healthcare Venture
I always knew I wanted to create something bigger than myself. A place that could help people, offer care, and give me the independence to shape my own future. But wanting it and knowing where to start are two very different things. The process seemed complicated, filled with paperwork, agencies, and unfamiliar words like “Medicaid enrollment,” “NEMT licensing,” and “Medicaid waivers.” It felt overwhelming.
How I Found the Right Healthcare Startup Support Partner
In January 2025, determined not to give up, I started searching online for real help. That’s when I found the Consult Atlas Foundation. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had spoken with other consulting companies before, but none of them felt right. This time, something was different.
The Consultant Who Transformed My Healthcare Business Journey
When I connected with Jossue Galeas, my home care consultant at Consult Atlas, everything changed. He didn’t treat me like just another client. He took time to listen—to what I wanted to build, to the services I hoped to offer, and even to my worries about paperwork, licensing, and getting it all done correctly.
Simplifying the Home Health Setup: Forms, Licensing & Medicaid
Jossue explained the entire process clearly: from setting up my Skilled HHA agency, to handling the Medicaid provider agreements, to making sure I had the right licensing forms filed properly. He even worked closely with the compliance team to make sure every small detail was correct — from the bond information to the licensing form appendix to solving an EIN mix-up that could have created problems down the road.
More Than a Consultant: A True Partner in the Journey
What really stood out to me was how different Consult Atlas was from everyone else I had seen online. They weren’t just a consulting company trying to sell a service. They were a nonprofit, genuinely built to help people like me succeed. And their use of AGC technology — Artificially Generated Consciousness — meant I always had smart, quick answers ready when I needed guidance. It felt like I had a whole support team behind me, even when I was working late into the night.
Overcoming Hurdles, One Step at a Time
There were hurdles, of course. Missing documents, clarification needed with Medicaid, getting the right provider agreements signed, making sure I was on the path to connect with MCOs like CareSource, Molina, United, and Buckeye. But each time a challenge popped up, Jossue was there—calm, clear, and patient. He didn’t just send me forms and wish me luck. He stayed with me through every step.
Reaching a Milestone: A Licensed Agency, Ready to Serve
It took dedication and teamwork, but by March 2025, I had completed the licensing steps and moved forward in the Medicaid enrollment process. What once felt confusing was now within my reach. My business foundation was strong, ready to grow, and ready to serve.
More Than Paperwork: Building with Heart and Purpose
The Consult Atlas Foundation didn’t just help me get through the technical side of licensing. They helped me understand that building a business is about heart, resilience, and having the right team beside you.
My Message to Others Ready to Take the Leap
If you’re thinking about starting your own healthcare agency, don’t let the paperwork or the fear hold you back. Consult Atlas is not just a service — it’s a partner. With the guidance of experts like Jossue, they helped me turn my dream into something real, something lasting.
And if they could help me take this first big step, they can help you too.