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All I Wanted Was the Big Check Photo... And Then I Got It!
What it took to place third out of 17 applicants at the Scott County CDA Fast Track Pitch Competition
NEWS AND UPDATES
Stephanie Alexander
10/15/20263 min read
I've spent 25 years on one side of the table. Case management, quality assurance, the professional who knew the system inside and out.
Then my cousin Shelly moved in, and I found myself on the other side. Tracking medications in my head at midnight. Working full-time. Never fully off duty.
So when I stood up at the Scott County CDA Fast Track Pitch Competition and told that story to a room full of judges, it wasn't a pitch I'd memorized. It was my life.
And I'm still taking this in... Northern Lights Living took third place out of 5 business finalists and 17 applicants.
In my presentation, I shared about why I started Northern Lights Living, how our in-home care and care navigation services work together, and why we pay our caregivers $24 an hour when the regional average is closer to $18.60.
Turnover in in-home care runs around 60%. When a family finally finds someone their loved one trusts, someone who knows the routine and what makes them feel safe, losing that person is devastating. Continuity of care is the care.
You'll also hear how far we've come. On Feb 1, it was one client, one staff member, and me. By the time I gave this pitch, we had six staff and 15 clients, plus care navigation.
What You Don't See in the Video
Right before I went on, I was at the mic check telling the tech support person how nervous I was. I'd just worked two overnights. I was running on adrenaline and caffeine, and I said so out loud.
What I didn't know? A few of the judges were close enough to hear every word.
When their feedback came back, they said I'd done a great job and that my passion for this work came through clearly. One judge asked a question I loved: How do you hire people with that same level of passion? And how do you keep quality high as you grow to 25 staff by the end of 2027?
My answer was simple. It's all in the interview. And once someone joins our team, we pay them to complete more training than the state requires. Because the families who trust us with someone they love deserve that.
So yes, I was exhausted. Yes, I was nervous. But I think the judges saw what our families see... someone who shows up, even after two overnights, because this work matters that much.
What This Makes Possible
This prize support goes toward four things we need right now, not someday:
Our referral network. One social worker I'm connected to has advocated for three families. All three became clients, and all three are still with us. We want 20 more relationships like that, with discharge planners, hospice social workers, and rehab coordinators across Scott County.
Marketing. So families can find us when they're searching online alone at 11 p.m.
Legal and accounting support. Service agreements for care navigation and the groundwork for comprehensive licensure.
A HIPAA-compliant family chat platform. Our family updates (photos, notes, and check-ins after every visit) are one of the things that make Northern Lights Living different. A purpose-built, secure platform lets us keep offering that as we grow, so families can stay connected to their loved one's care no matter where they live.
Thank You
Thank you to the Scott County CDA for this opportunity, and to the judges for listening so closely.
Congratulations to my fellow winners, Leavyned and Balanced Kids, and to every finalist who stood up and shared something they believe in. I left that room inspired by all of you.
To our caregivers and our families: this is your win too.
If you're caring for someone you love and wondering what support could look like, you don't have to navigate this alone. Reach out whenever you're ready. There is no expiration date on reaching out.
Stephanie Alexander
Founder, Northern Lights Living
What Fast Track Is
Fast Track is a business competition run by the Scott County CDA. This year, 17 businesses applied. Five of us made it to the final round to present in front of a panel of judges on October 8, 2026.
Watch the Pitch
Northern Lights Living
Illuminating the Way to Quality Care
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