In this engaging interview, Jessica shares her journey of building Little Sparks, her intentional approach to contracting in the school space, and the importance of valuing providers. Discover insights on business strategy, mindset shifts, and how to create a flexible, provider-centered contracting business.

Key Topics

• Business strategy for therapy contracting
• Mindset shifts from employee to business owner
• Valuing providers and setting rates
• Navigating school contracts and payments
• Expanding into new states and markets

Disclosures

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

Resources

Little Sparks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlesparksspeechtherapy/

The Therapist Support Network Contracting Tools/Materials: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

In this episode, Elise Mitchell welcomes Ellie Richter, a virtual speech therapist and contractor, to discuss the realities of virtual contracting with schools, building relationships, and navigating industry challenges. They explore strategies for success, the importance of niche specialization, and future trends in teletherapy.

Key Topics:

• Virtual contracting with schools
• Building and nurturing relationships for long-term contracts
• The importance of niche specialization in teletherapy
• Industry challenges and future trends in virtual speech therapy

Resources:

Ellie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theessentialteletherapist/

Elise's Resources: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

FREE School Contracting Checklist: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/checklist

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before

On this episode of Beyond the Big Agencies, Elise Mitchell and Daj Mitchell discuss the journey of coaching, public speaking for SLPs, leveraging AI, and building a successful online business. They share insights on niching, overcoming challenges, and creating revenue streams through speaking engagements and professional development.

Daj Speaker Accelerator https://co-treatcorner.myflodesk.com/speakerwaitlist

Daj Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourslpdaj/

School Contracting Resources: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Denning, founder of Renew Allied, a therapist-owned contracting company that has grown from a private practice into a multi-state business working with schools.

Melissa shares what it actually looked like to transition out of traditional clinical work and into building a business that supports both therapists and schools—without compromising on pay, ethics, or quality of care.

We talk through the real decisions behind growth:

when to raise your rates, when to hire, how to approach negotiations, and what it takes to step into RFPs with confidence.

If you’ve ever wondered what scaling a therapy business actually looks like behind the scenes—this conversation pulls it back.

Melissa’s journey from private practice to building Renew Allied

How pricing decisions impact long-term sustainability

What therapists get wrong about negotiations (and how to fix it)

The turning point that led her to start hiring and scaling

How to approach RFPs without overcomplicating the process

The role of consistency and sales in building a stable business

Why investing in systems and support changes everything

Melissa's Instagram: @RenewAllied

The Therapist Support Network Resources: www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com

Summary:

Elise Mitchell discusses how therapy business owners can build a stable, resilient business by diversifying revenue streams. She introduces the three pillars of stability—consistent cash flow, fast cash, and premium offers—and explains how to implement them effectively in school contracting and private practice.

References:

5 Revenue Stream Mini-Course: https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/offers/srjxU2Rk/checkout

1:1 Revenue Stream Intensive: https://calendly.com/schoolcontractor/revenuestreams

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

Legal Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

Episode Summary

Many school-based providers reach a crossroads at some point in their career:

👉 Do I work through a staffing agency?

👉 Or do I contract directly with schools?

In this episode, Elise breaks down the real differences between agency contracting and direct contracting, including pay, autonomy, responsibility, and long-term growth potential. You’ll walk away with clarity on which model fits your goals, season of life, and risk tolerance — and how to think about your next move.

1. Agencies can be a great starting point
2. Direct contracting creates long-term leverage
3. You can move from agency → direct when you’re ready
4. Understanding both models helps you make strategic choices

The FREE School Contractor Checklist: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/checklist

The School Contractor Training and Packet: https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/training-and-packet

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

Summary

In this podcast episode, Elise Mitchell discusses the concept of growth in business, particularly in the context of school contracting. She emphasizes the importance of sustainable and intentional growth over rapid expansion, which can lead to chaos and hidden problems. Elise outlines the dangers of pursuing growth solely based on revenue and FTEs, advocating instead for a strategic approach that includes understanding capacity, implementing systems, and ensuring financial soundness. The episode concludes with a call to focus on building a better business rather than simply aiming for bigger numbers.

Takeaways

1. Sustainable growth is more important than rapid growth.
2. Rapid growth can introduce chaos into your business.
3. Redefine success beyond just revenue metrics.
4. Prepare your business infrastructure before pursuing large contracts.
5. Chaos can lead to compliance and service delivery issues.
6. You become overwhelmed when growth is unintentional.
7. Strategic growth should be based on capacity and systems.
8. Documented workflows are essential for expansion.
9. Financial stability is crucial for sustainable growth.
10. Focus on building a better business, not just a bigger one.

Resources

Scale Your School Contracting Business Coaching Program: https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/coaching-program

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

In this episode of Beyond the Big Agencies, Elise Mitchell discusses the significance of conducting mid-year satisfaction surveys for school contractors. She emphasizes the importance of gathering customer feedback early in the year to address issues, gauge renewal likelihood, and identify growth opportunities. The episode outlines the benefits of satisfaction surveys, including catching potential deal-breakers, collecting testimonials, and measuring success through net promoter scores. Elise provides actionable tips for creating effective surveys and highlights the necessity of turning feedback into tangible improvements to strengthen client relationships and drive business growth.

Takeaways

1. Mid-year satisfaction surveys can transform service delivery.
2. Customer feedback is crucial for contract renewal and expansion.
3. Surveys should be sent early to allow for course correction.
4. Addressing issues promptly can prevent them from becoming deal-breakers.
5. Satisfaction surveys can gauge renewal likelihood and spot opportunities.
6. Collecting testimonials during surveys can enhance credibility.
7. A net promoter score helps measure overall business performance.
8. Surveys should include clear, actionable questions.
9. Follow up on feedback to show clients their input is valued.
10. Effective surveys can lead to strategic growth and stronger relationships.

Resources

1. School Satisfaction Survey Guide: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/surveyguide
2. Scale Your School Contracting Business: https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/coaching-program

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

In this final episode of the season, Elise Mitchell reflects on the key trends and insights from 2025 in school contracting. She discusses the importance of pricing strategies, the shift towards early renewals as a sign of trust, the challenges of new contracts, and the growing significance of email outreach. Additionally, she highlights the preference for provider-run companies, the widening trust deficit, the rise of hybrid service models, and the ongoing recruitment challenges. Looking ahead to 2026, Elise emphasizes the need for clarity, systems, and relationship-building in the evolving education landscape.

Takeaways:

• Prices absolutely mattered this year.
• Schools wanted continuity and stability earlier.
• Renewals happened earlier and faster than in previous years.
• New contracts came in later due to decision fatigue.
• Emails became a bigger entry point for outreach.
• Providers preferred working for provider-run companies.
• Trust is a crucial currency in the industry.
• Hybrid models grew in popularity this year.
• Recruitment was particularly challenging in 2025.
• Schools value clarity, systems, and relationships.

Resources:

The Therapist Support Network Beginner's Checklist: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/checklist

The Scale Your School Contracting Business Waitlist: https://thetsn.myflodesk.com/scalewaitlist

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

Legal Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.

In this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked opportunities in school contracting: the January Contract — the mid-year surge in staffing and service needs across public and private schools.

Elise shares why this window exists, what school leaders are experiencing behind the scenes, and how contractors can position themselves to step in with confidence. From staffing shortages and budget resets to shifts in caseloads and compensatory services, January is a uniquely high-need, low-competition period.

You’ll learn how to communicate proactively, what pain points to address in outreach, and how to offer solutions schools actually want this time of year. Elise also explains why these short-term January roles often become long-term, relationship-building opportunities.

Whether you’re new to contracting or looking to expand in 2025–2026, this episode will help you take advantage of a powerful — and often untapped — revenue window.

• January is one of the best times of year to secure school contracts.
• Schools re-evaluate staffing mid-year and often discover unexpected service gaps.
• Flexibility in service models increases during this period.
• Proactive outreach positions you ahead of other contractors.
• Understanding school pain points (service gaps, missed minutes, scheduling changes) boosts your sales conversations.
• Private schools also experience a January reset and seek additional support.
• Short-term January placements frequently turn into multi-year relationships.
• Competition is lower because most providers assume hiring happens only in August.
• Offering solutions → not sales pitches → builds trust.
• Approaching schools with a helpful mindset sets you apart

Resources:

The Therapist Support Network Resources: https://www.thetherapistsupportnetwork.com/

Financial Disclosure:

"Beyond the Big Agencies" is brought to you by The Therapist Support Network. Some topics discussed may reference products, services, or resources offered by The Therapist Support Network. This episode may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you

Legal Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making any business decisions.