Candice Pettis

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Candice Pettis, and I’m originally from Chicago, Illinois, but I now call the Atlanta, Georgia area home. I’m a proud mother, healthcare professional, and entrepreneur with 17 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

My healthcare journey began in my hometown of Chicago at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where I started building my foundation in medical billing and coding. What began as a career opportunity eventually became a passion for understanding the business and financial operations behind healthcare.

Over the years, I’ve continued to grow professionally, gaining experience in revenue cycle management, insurance operations, analytics, and leadership. Today, I serve as a Work Queue Analyst at the University of Chicago Medicine, which makes my journey even more meaningful. To have started my career in Chicago and now be working for another respected Chicago healthcare institution, while living in Atlanta, is truly a full-circle moment for me.

I also hold a degree in Health Information Management and have expanded my professional journey into entrepreneurship through my healthcare revenue cycle consulting platform, CandicePettis.com.

Beyond my professional accomplishments, I’m a mother who believes strongly in education, hard work, and creating opportunities for the next generation. One thing I’ve learned throughout my journey is that growth requires you to continuously challenge yourself, remain teachable, and never become too comfortable with where you are.

I’m proud of where I started, grateful for where I am, and excited about everything that’s still ahead.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One thing I absolutely love about living in Atlanta is the opportunity for growth. Coming from Chicago, I’ve always appreciated being surrounded by culture, diversity, and people who are motivated to succeed. Atlanta offers that same energy, but in its own unique way.

I love that Atlanta is a city where entrepreneurship is celebrated, connections are made, and people genuinely support one another’s success. There’s something inspiring about being surrounded by so many individuals who are building businesses, pursuing their dreams, and creating generational opportunities.

As a mother, I also appreciate the experiences and opportunities Atlanta provides for my son. For me, Atlanta has become more than just a place to live. It’s a place where I’ve continued to grow personally, professionally, and as a mother.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

CandicePettis.com was born from my passion for healthcare and the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my 17-year career in revenue cycle management.

I started my journey in medical billing and coding and eventually expanded into insurance operations, denials management, account resolution, analytics, and workforce development. Throughout those years, I realized that so many people are unfamiliar with the business side of healthcare, even though it plays such an important role in keeping healthcare organizations financially healthy.

I wanted to create something that would allow me to use my experience beyond my everyday job. My platform focuses on healthcare revenue cycle consulting, sharing industry knowledge, and helping others understand the importance of efficient financial operations within healthcare organizations.

My goal is to help organizations identify opportunities for improvement while also encouraging individuals who want to enter or advance in the healthcare industry.

For me, entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a business. It’s about building something meaningful from the experience, education, and lessons I’ve gained along the way.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My biggest advice would be to start with what you know, believe in what you’re building, and don’t wait until everything is perfect.

Sometimes we spend so much time planning, researching, and questioning ourselves that we never actually take the first step. The truth is, you’re not going to have all the answers in the beginning, and that’s okay. Some of your greatest lessons will come from simply getting started.

I also believe it’s important to understand the difference between having a passion and building a business. Passion may be what gets you started, but discipline, consistency, and the willingness to keep learning are what will help you grow.

And one thing I always remind myself is that you have to be willing to invest in yourself before expecting anyone else to invest in you.

Most importantly, don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s success. Everyone’s journey looks different. Stay focused, remain teachable, and remember why you started. Success doesn’t always happen overnight, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

For me, the most meaningful feedback is knowing that the knowledge and experience I’ve shared have genuinely helped someone.

Throughout my career, I’ve always taken pride in being someone who is willing to go the extra mile, whether that’s helping resolve a complicated account, explaining a process, or sharing information that helps someone feel more confident in their work.

I believe one of the greatest compliments you can receive is knowing that someone trusts your knowledge and appreciates the time you’ve taken to help them.

That’s the same energy I want to bring to my business. I don’t just want people to walk away with a service. I want them to walk away with a better understanding, a solution, and the confidence that they made the right decision working with me.

To me, that kind of impact is worth more than anything.

Where do you see your company in the future?

I see CandicePettis.com growing into a recognized healthcare revenue cycle consulting and professional development brand. My vision is bigger than simply providing consulting services. I want to build a platform that connects education, innovation, and opportunity within the healthcare industry.

Over the next several years, I would love to expand into providing training programs, mentorship opportunities, and resources for individuals who want to enter healthcare revenue cycle management or advance their careers.

I also envision partnering with healthcare organizations to help improve operational efficiency, strengthen revenue cycle processes, and develop their workforce.

Ultimately, I want to build something that extends beyond me. I want CandicePettis.com to become a resource that people trust, a business that creates opportunities for others, and something meaningful that I can eventually pass down as part of my legacy.

For me, success isn’t just about how big the company becomes. It’s about how many people I’m able to help along the way.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about healthcare is that you have to be a doctor, nurse, or work directly with patients to have a successful and meaningful career in the industry.

There is an entire business side of healthcare that many people don’t even realize exists. Revenue cycle management is one of those areas. From medical billing and coding to insurance reimbursement, analytics, compliance, and operational improvement, there are so many career opportunities that don’t involve direct patient care.

Another misconception is that medical billing is simply submitting claims and collecting payments. In reality, revenue cycle management requires critical thinking, problem-solving, financial knowledge, and an understanding of how healthcare organizations operate.

After 17 years in this industry, I’ve seen firsthand how important these roles are. Healthcare organizations cannot continue providing quality care without the financial operations that support them.

That’s one reason I’m so passionate about sharing my journey. I want people to understand that there are multiple pathways to building a successful career in healthcare, and sometimes the opportunities you never knew existed are the ones that can change your life.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance building a business while maintaining a full-time career and being present as a mother.

When you’re passionate about something, you want to give it everything you have. But the reality is that there are only so many hours in a day, and sometimes you have to make difficult decisions about where your time and energy go.

I’ve also had to learn that being knowledgeable in your profession and being a business owner are two different things. I have 17 years of experience in healthcare, but entrepreneurship requires you to develop an entirely different set of skills, from marketing and branding to business development and building relationships.

I’ve approached those challenges the same way I’ve approached my career: by remaining teachable, being willing to ask questions, and understanding that growth takes time.

I’ve learned to give myself grace while still holding myself accountable. Everything doesn’t have to happen overnight. Sometimes progress means taking one small step forward, even when you have a hundred other responsibilities.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t have to have everything figured out to keep moving forward. You just have to be committed enough not to give up on your vision.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Absolutely! First, I want to give a special shoutout to my family, especially my son, Lincoln, who is one of my greatest motivations. Being his mother has given me an entirely different perspective on success. I want him to grow up understanding that hard work, education, determination, and believing in yourself can open doors you never imagined.

I also want to recognize my partner, Alie, for her love, encouragement, and support as I continue navigating my career and entrepreneurship journey.

To the mentors, colleagues, friends, and leaders who have poured into me throughout my 17 years in healthcare, thank you. Every opportunity, challenge, and lesson has played a part in shaping the woman and professional I am today.

And finally, a special shoutout to everyone who is starting over, changing careers, going back to school, or building something from the ground up. Don’t allow your current circumstances to limit your future. Your journey may not look like anyone else’s, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be extraordinary.

I’m living proof that you can continue evolving, no matter what chapter of life you’re in.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about me and my professional journey by visiting my website, www.CandicePettis.com.

My platform highlights my experience in healthcare revenue cycle management, industry insights, professional development, and my passion for helping individuals and organizations grow.

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn, where I share career milestones, healthcare industry knowledge, and encouragement for professionals looking to advance their careers.

I’m always excited to connect with like-minded professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs, and individuals who are passionate about creating opportunities and making a difference.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about healthcare revenue cycle management, explore professional opportunities, or simply connect, I welcome you to follow my journey.

Website: www.CandicePettis.com

LinkedIn: Candice Pettis