Shafreta Kelly is the founder and owner of Helping Heartbeats, LLC. She is a National Registered Paramedic, an American Heart Association Instructor, and a Medical Assisting Instructor. With over 15 years of experience in healthcare, she provides CPR, AED, and First Aid training to anyone who has the willingness to learn. With every opportunity given, she accepted those opportunities with the potential for advancement because she knew that what she had to offer wasn’t limited. Shafreta became an American Heart Association Instructor and founded Helping Heartbeats, LLC in 2020 during COVID. She was informed of a medical incident where no one had the knowledge to assist but wanted to. She knew that lack of knowledge was an issue within the community and she wanted to make a difference. Her journey began with her 2 sons, educating and certifying them in CPR, AED, and First Aid. Shafreta is not only educating healthcare professionals but everyone who has the willingness to learn, including kids.
We had the amazing pleasure of sitting with Shafreta to discuss the inspiration behind becoming and EMT and Paramedic and what inspired her to educate others on CPR and First Aide?
Outside of entrepreneurship, who is Shafreta Kelly?
Oh wow! The first thing that comes to mind are titles. z I can say I’m a mother, business owner, Paramedic, instructor, and so on and so forth, but I’m more than just a title. Shafreta Kelly is fearfully and wonderfully made, purpose-driven, and a follower of Christ.
Can you share a little about the mission of your company Helping Heartbeats, LLC?
The mission of Helping Heartbeats, LLC is to spread CPR awareness and encourage everyone who is willing to learn, to participate in CPR training. I think CPR is overlooked. Most people don’t understand the importance of CPR. People think you have to be a medical professional to perform the lifesaving skill, which is not true.
How did you get your start in becoming a Paramedic?
In order to be a Paramedic, you must first become an EMT. So, I got my start in becoming a Paramedic by becoming an EMT first. As an EMT I provided out-of-hospital emergency medical care and transportation for emergent and critical patients. As a Paramedic, I can provide advanced out-of-hospital emergency medical care for emergent and critical patients. Although an EMT’s scope and autonomy is limited, the job is just as important. I knew I wanted to do more, which is why I made the choice to become a Paramedic.
Can you share any insight into your 15+ Year experience in the healthcare industry?
Sure. I’ve worked as a CNA, ER Tech, Transitional Care Coordinator, EMT, and Paramedic. Everything that I’ve done and do, involves patient care. I have been given many opportunities for advancement and because I knew what I had to offer in patient care wasn’t limited, I accepted those opportunities.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career thus far?
The most rewarding part of my career thus far is the feedback and testimonials. I not only want the participants to retain the information that has been taught but I also want them to feel confident in their ability to recognize a medical emergency and/or life-threatening situation and perform the skills they’ve learned to assist in those situations. When a student express after a class that they feel prepared if a situation arises or if a student reports that they had to apply the knowledge and skills they learned to a real-life situation, while doing so confidently and correctly, that shows me that I am doing something right.
Can you share some of the highs and lows of owning a business in the healthcare-related field?
The highs of owning a business in a healthcare-related field are the often needs for certification and recertification. The lows of owning a business in the healthcare-related field are slow seasons. More companies are starting to offer CPR classes which can affect clientele.
What do you hope people take away from their experience with Helping Heartbeats, LLC?
I want people to be confident and competent after their experience with Helping Heartbeats, LLC. I know the thought of performing CPR can be uncomfortable for some, but I want them to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to perform in an uncomfortable situation.
What is next for you and your organization?
What’s next for me is, “The same thing I do every day, try to take over the world!” Lol. I’m just kidding. But seriously, for me, I plan to take the necessary steps to become an Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Instructor, Pediatric Advanced Life Support Instructor , and a Nurse. As for my organization, I will continue to plan FREE CPR training sessions for the community, secure contracts, build everlasting work relationships, and travel beyond my state to educate and train.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
My definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles is a woman who gets the job done by any means necessary while demonstrating the following qualities: confidence, kindness, dignity, respect, love, joy, and honesty, also while applying those qualities to their passion.
Connect with Shafreta Online:
Social Media Handles
Facebook: Helping Heartbeats, LLC
Instagram: Helping Heartbeats, LLC
TikTok: helpingheartbeatsllc
Twitter: Helping Heartbeats, LLC
Snapchat: Helping Heartbeats, LLC
YouTube: Helping Heartbeats, LLC
