How Stephanie Ahlschwede Found Purpose After Corporate Life

After nearly 20 years climbing the corporate ladder, Stephanie Ahlschwede took a leap of faith and launched her own medical billing company, The Claim Medics . Through first-hand experience, she helps small healthcare practices tackle administrative obstacles so they can dedicate more time to patient care.   

This entrepreneurial leap was born out of a crossroads moment. Stephanie spent close to two decades honing her skills in brand marketing and storytelling to enhance customer connections. Her corporate career came to an unexpected halt when she was laid off, prompting an important period of self-reflection. She found herself contemplating her future. "Do I want to go back and work for another corporation, or do I want to invest in myself and put my time and energy into growing my own business?" Stephanie pondered. She ultimately chose the more challenging but rewarding path of entrepreneurship, realizing that building something of her own could be more fulfilling than dedicating her efforts to another company's success.   

Drawing on her strategic thinking, project management, content creation, branding, and marketing skills, Stephanie set out on her own. She established The Claim Medics Inc . to reduce healthcare administrative costs and maximize revenue for small clinics and practices across the U.S. "I apply some of the values and principles I used in creating a brand or product story in my previous role to what I do at The Claim Medics. The customer or client is number one; we should do right by them. They deserve focus, care, honesty, and understanding," Stephanie explains.   

Comprehensive Practice Solutions

The Claim Medics Inc . provides full-spectrum practice management, acting as an extension of the care team. "We need to properly diagnose each practice to provide the right solutions, just as they do with patients," Stephanie explains. The company handles all medical billing, insurance claims, credentialing, EHR software implementation, wellness programming and more so practitioners can stay focused on delivering excellent care.   

Central to The Claim Medics' services is quality over quantity. "We carefully balance our client base to ensure each client receives complete, undivided attention," Stephanie says. This high-touch approach has been instrumental in developing strong client relationships rooted in trust. As a small business, The Claim Medics identifies with the unique needs of boutique practices. From credentialing to advanced telehealth platforms, The Claim Medics ensures that healthcare providers can focus on what matters most: patient care.    

Leading with Compassion

Stephanie firmly believes that giving back to the community fosters hope, pride, and inspiration. Her weekly volunteer work at the animal shelter has been deeply fulfilling. "It's so rewarding to provide care and comfort to vulnerable creatures in need," she shares. This sense of empathy and compassion is not just reserved for her volunteer work; Stephanie applies the same principles to leading at The Claim Medics.   

Her dedication to maintaining balance extends into her personal hobbies as well. Stephanie also makes time for her passion for designing jewelry, finding it stimulates her creativity for business innovation. "It clears my mind, almost like meditation," she shares. This artistic outlet is a testament to Stephanie's conviction in maintaining life balance, pursuing personal joy, and ultimately gaining professional clarity.   

This ethos of leading with compassion permeates all aspects of Stephanie's entrepreneurial journey. Whether saving stray animals, guiding her company, or providing exceptional service to clients, Stephanie is motivated by care, trust, and human connection. She integrates this mindset into the very fabric of The Claim Medics' operations, seamlessly blending her commitment to community and personal well-being with her business acumen. For Stephanie, profit and success are meaningless without positively impacting people and the community along the way.   

Pursuing Your Vision Takes Courage

Stephanie knows that taking the entrepreneurial leap requires courage to step outside one's comfort zone. She advises others with kernels of a business idea not to let the familiarity of a stable corporate job hold them back from pursuing their vision.   

"You have one life; if there is something you want to do, go for it," Stephanie urges. She acknowledges that starting a business seems incredibly risky compared to relying on a steady paycheck. But Stephanie argues that even established jobs have inherent uncertainty, as one could lose their role without warning.   

At least by taking a risk on yourself, you propel your passions and purpose. Any rewards reaped are wholly yours. Yes, you sacrifice stability and need relentless confidence, determination and patience to transform an idea into reality. However, personal growth emerges from confronting fears and embracing discomfort through new challenges.   

"Take the chance," Stephanie implores other aspiring entrepreneurs. The fulfillment of owning your vocational destiny far outweighs any initial struggles in getting there. For those willing to devote themselves fully to their vision, she knows first-hand that incredible things can grow.