Today we’d like to introduce you to Henry Mason Jr.
Henry, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. Attended Emmanuel Christian School and Morgan Pak High school before entering Morehouse College.
I’ve had the entrepreneurial bug my entire life. I can vividly remember cutting the neighbors yards around 15 years old and eventually getting a few of my younger buddies to help once I built up some clientele.
Immediately leaving Morehouse, I started Mader Tech Solutions, which is a staffing and recruitment firm that mostly deals with DOD” should read “firm that works mostly with the department of defense.
In 2013 my mother was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. This was the scariest time of my life. Mostly because the cancer itself, carcinosarcoma, is a very rare form of cancer and the treatments did not seem to work.
I made my mother a promise that once she finished her treatments, we would start a hospice together because she knew about the business, and I wanted to be closer to her. I put all of my savings together and went for it while she finished her treatments. Once she finished, she hopped right into the operations, and we have been growing the business ever since.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rcdPtqZzc
I just recently opened my second location, which is in Chicago, and I’m excited to be able to give back this service to my hometown.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
1. Took much longer than expected to open.
2. NO real outside funding, so I had to learn how to do everything that wasn’t clinical in a short amount of time.
3. Finding the right staff.
4. Scaling was challenging. Mostly because I spent two years making sure I was timing it right.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Precious Hospice – what should we know?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-rcdPtqZzc
We provide hospice services to patients in the Atlanta area and the Chicago area. We specialize in providing customized care. As someone who was his mother’s caregiver, I know how much care is needed, and I’m able to sit with my doctors and make recommendations based on my personal experience. We are known for providing excellent care not just for the ill patient, but because we go above and beyond to make sure the family is also comfortable. Therapy sessions are also available with the family so they will know how to deal with losing a loved one.
Hospice is not an out of pocket expense; we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major insurances.
We pay for your medications. We help supplement supplies. We supply a nurse, social worker, spiritual care team, doctor, and a host of volunteers at no out of pocket cost to you.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mother gave me the strength to go on and start this company as she was throwing up taking her chemotherapy. I knew that if she was strong enough to beat that, I was strong enough to build this company.
My uncles for always motivating me through their own endeavors and the constant positivity
My grandfather for pushing me to be an entrepreneur and not allowing me to think that I should get a job right out of college.
And my brother for believing in me enough to take a job at the hospice right out of college.
Verneda Bachus has been a mentor of mine for years. She told me how important getting to Chicago would be, and I am glad I listened.
Contact Info:
- Address: 105 Habersham dr
- Website: www.precioushospice.com
- Phone: 470-878-5051
- Instagram: precious_hospice
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/precioushospice
Image Credit:
John Mason – Community Liason
Theresa Curry – Atlanta Administrator
Brandy Yates – Atlanta DON
MArtha Hale – Sr. Nurse
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
