Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Walker.
Hi Nikki, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Established in 2009, the NyWes name pays homage to my children, Aniya and Wesley. The first NyWes phlebotomy class was held in Montgomery, AL on November 4, 2009, with only five students. I started as a medical assistant for Jackson hospital in 1999 working in the ER. I decided to step out and give it a business opportunity. After growth and perseverance, NyWes added classes in Biloxi, MS (2011) and obtained the first big contract with Jackson Hospital (2011) to provide mobile phlebotomy services the first of its kind. Due to lots of devotion and dedication, by 2012, NYWES expanded its services to various nursing homes, labs, and doctors offices in Montgomery, AL. By 2015 to present, NyWes has added courses for Nursing Support Tech, EKG, Medical Billing & Coding, and most recently Pharmacy Tech to the online menu of courses. Today, NyWes is located in three states (AL, MS, FL) in the Southeastern United States.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Lol… Nothing that is Great came easy, I faced many challenges and obstacles. My biggest challenge was trying to introduce a business that ppl weren’t familiar with, at all. Mobile phlebotomy and healthcare prior to COVID was needed but not too many companies knew it was available. Nor did they know that obtaining a certification for it was possible. So marketing and advertising for me was and still is the hardest part.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m known as the “lab lady”.. lol. Starting out as a phlebotomy instructor and teaching hundreds of students was my start. I’ve certified to date over 4000 students in my 13 yrs in business. I’m most proud of being able to watch my students take what I’ve given them skill-wise and become lab directors, phlebotomy managers, and some are traveling as phlebotomists and medical assistants. I’m extremely proud to know that I had a hand in that. What sets me apart from others is that I give back to the community and give the ones who are not privileged to a college opportunity. I’ve worked with several nonprofit organizations and women shelters offering courses free of charge. I absolutely love this!! It’s a complete different feeling knowing that you gave someone an opportunity to better their lives when the chips are stacked against them. I would honestly say that it’s my greatest accomplishment.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Starting out I had no mentor, no one to show me the ropes, I literally had to put it all together. So I tell people all the time that this is definitely God’s business because I had no clue on what I was doing in the beginning. I knew (not personally) of a woman in Montgomery, Al her name is Callie Willis and she was the 1st that I knew of that had a similar business before I got started. So I had to rely heavy on networking and advertising on my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: Nywes.com
