May 8, 2017

Meet Adrienne MacDonald of Georgia CPR and Safety in Marietta

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne MacDonald.

Adrienne, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Even as a child, I have always loved looking for better way to do something by being of service. I started my first business when I was 8 years old because I wanted comic books. I realized that adults did not like going to the store for small items like milk, bread etc. So, I offered to do that for them. I would go to the store, get what they needed and I got to keep the change. Perhaps not the best business-plan however I was able to serve a need and get my comic books at the same time.

While I was born in the US, I was raised in the UK all of my life. When I was 22 years old, I moved to the United States with only $150.00 in my pocket and almost no plan. However, I was determined to build my life.

Starting a business after my daughter was born was the perfect next step for our family. I had decided to be a stay at home Mom as least for 5 years, and possibly return to nursing when she was in kindergarten. That changed after I realized that one of the leading causes of death in children is un-intentional injuries. Things as simple as one inch of water in a dog bowl can drown a toddler in minutes. Children are very curious; it is how they learn about the world. However, that curiosity can also cause death or serious injuries to them. It’s up to the adults around small children to provide a safe environment so they can explore safely. I knew that there was a need here for more people to learn about what can hurt a child and how to keep them safe.

My first step was learning everything I could about child safety and accident prevention. I studied and became certified by the American Heart Association as a CPR and First Aid Instructor. I even wrote a CPR and First Book based on my knowledge and experience with children. I worked with children as a school nurse for many years and my work was published several times by Children’s Health of Atlanta.

I opened Georgia CPR and Safety in 1996 with only 2 clients and we have continued to grow each and every year. Our clients now include Macy’s, Quality Care for Children, the Young Marines, Wellstar, Georgia State Defense Force, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Dentists, Nurses, and countless teachers, parents, and grandparents. We are so thankful to know that we make a difference. We really are saving lives every day.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I believe my business is not much different from others, each having a learning curve like getting out of your comfort zone, asking for business, learning a new skill, creating good customer care and the ups and downs of the economy. However, I would say the biggest struggle for me was overcoming communicating a good 1 min. elevator speech at a business meeting.

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Georgia CPR and Safety story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a CPR and First Aid Training company focused not only on how to save lives but possibly prevent the emergency in the first place. We specialize in both parents and professionals, teaching them how to be effective in an emergency situation.

The thing that makes us the most proud is when we receive a call saying that what we taught someone saved a life, and we have over a 75% rate of return customers. Some returning to us year after year for over 10 years.

What sets us apart we are very energetic and our goal by the end of our class you will feel not only prepared but confident in your abilities to assist an emergency or prevent one.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
We feel lucky and honored each time a company or family has us come and teach how to save a life. The miracle of what we do never gets old.

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