A famous quote goes, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” Cristina Heaney is living proof of that, as this year she celebrates her 10th anniversary of leading her successful emergency medical services business, U.S. Safety Services, based in San Antonio, Texas.
Cristina’s success can be attributed in part to her vision as a leader. When she purchased the company from a local fireman in 2005, it was small and in need of a management overhaul. Fast-forward to today, and Cristina has established the company as a state-certified first responder, with 90 employees offering contract medical services and first-aid coverage for businesses and high-profile events.
Another key to Cristina’s success? Her commitment to establishing long-lasting relationships with her team and her clients. She is proud to offer health benefits and company stock to her employees¾things that she recognizes make a positive impact on her employees and her business’s long-term success. “Employee relations is very important to me,” she says. “I treat my employees the way I always wanted to be treated—and it works. It’s really like one big, happy family.”
That sense of camaraderie is one of the things that also attracted her to NAWBO five years ago. After attending her first meeting, she was “hooked” and quickly became involved in leadership positions with her local chapter. “When I joined NAWBO, I realized that I have a voice and that I can use NAWBO to be educated—and I have,” she says. “Some of the things that I’ve learned that impact the running of my business are amazing. You can’t put a price on it.”
Today, she serves as the President of the San-Antonio chapter and is thrilled that her city will be hosting this year’s National Women’s Business Conference, where a very special Texas legislator will participate. “It’s exciting; we are so proud and the city is so proud that we’re going to have all these unbelievable women in our city,” Cristina says.
Looking ahead, Cristina is passionate about her work with NAWBO and aspires to extend her efforts to the national level one day. “I would like to see more diversity within NAWBO and would love to be instrumental in making it happen. I’m hoping that there are other ways where I can participate on a national level to help more women out there,” she says.
She’s also excited to grow her business even further, expanding her services to include OSHA and CPR training. What’s more, she’s planning to provide continuing education courses for medics to streamline the medical certification process.
“I’m very proud that we have grown every year in revenue, employees and service,” she says. “I want every woman business owner to benefit from the NAWBO organization and everything it provides.”
To learn more about U.S. Safety Services, please visit www.ussafetyservices.com.