Private Practice Success Stories

Have you ever thought about starting a private practice as a school SLP or as someone who lives in a more rural area?

This is the perfect student success story for you to listen to!

Sarah Desimone, MS, CCC-SLP is the owner of Huckleberry Therapy LLC, located in Athol, ID. Since graduating in 2016, Sarah has had the opportunity to serve children from birth to age 17 in a large multidisciplinary clinic, through her local school district, and via teletherapy as a contract SLP. It was through these experiences that she felt she had gained the knowledge, experience, and confidence to start her own practice.

Since then, Sarah has resigned from her 90+ student caseload in her local district, accepted a part-time SLP position with a charter school, increased hours at her private practice, and been able to spend more time with her husband and two young children.

In this interview, Sarah talks about how she built her private practice on the side of her job in the schools and how she loves knowing that she's serving the community who would otherwise be stuck on a waitlist or commuting a long distance to get speech therapy.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• How to move past procrastination
• Why it’s important to talk to others that believe in you
• How to navigate building your practice on the side
• Why it’s okay to start out slow and get your feet wet
• The benefits of being a practitioner in a rural area
• How to stay confident in your skills and expertise

I love Sarah’s energy, her commitment to her community, and how she created a private practice that works for her family and herself!

As a student of the Start Your Private Practice Program, Sarah talks about how she received the information that she needed to start her business along with invaluable ongoing support.

If you want access to the very resources that helped Sarah so much, head on over to www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitist and join the waitlist for the Start Your Private Practice Program! We will be re-opening soon!

Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com to learn more.

Resources Mentioned:

www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitist

www.huckleberryspeech.com

www.instagram.com/huckleberryspeech

www.facebook.com/huckleberryspeech

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Huckleberry-Therapy-Llc

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you ever thought about starting a private practice out of your house?

This episode with Kathy Hindman, a speech-language pathologist in Lawrenceville, NJ, is one of my most popular episodes to date, and I can attest that to so many SLPs being interested in her on the side, in-home practice.

Kathy Hindman has over twenty years of experience that includes evaluating and treating children and young adults in a variety of settings: from working several years in an intensive behavioral-based program for students with autism and developmental disabilities to working for local preschool programs and elementary schools to spending many years working in Early Intervention with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with various delays and challenges in all areas of development.

In this episode, we get into the details and talk all about what it takes to run a speech therapy private practice out of your own home. We also talk about what she had to learn along the way and the little mistakes she has made that turned into learning experiences.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Time and expense involved in creating space in your home
• Tips for using SEO to get discovered online
• Deciding when the timing is right for you
• Mistakes that turn into learning experiences
• Where you can advertise your in-home business

Kathy went into private practice because she had the safety of a solid income coming in and was able to slowly build it up. I think this is what a lot of SLPs are most interested in, so I am glad Kathy shared that with us.

I also love that she mentioned how simple it was to set up her private practice in her home! It does not have to be super complicated or expensive, so if that is something that has worried you, don’t let that hold you back!

If you are ready to start your private practice whether it is in your home or not, head over to https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist so that you will be notified as soon as we re-open the doors to the Start Your Private Practice System.

I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit my website www.independentclinician.com/ to learn more.

Resources Mentioned:

www.connections-speechtherapy.com

www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you feel called to do more as an SLP?

Quintina Briscoe, my guest in this episode, felt the exact same way before she started her private practice during the pandemic.

Quintina Briscoe is a speech-language pathologist, mentor, and clinic owner in the greater D.C. area. She went from being a solo private practitioner, just seeing clients on the side of her school job to employing many therapists, having a brick-and-mortar clinic, and serving clients via telephone therapy in her private practice.

In this episode, Quintina tells us a story about being in the school setting and realizing that she was ready to do something greater. I think a lot of SLPs can connect to this story whether they are in a school or a hospital setting. There is only so much we can do without limitations when we are in them. Luckily, Quintina is walking us through exactly what she did to become a private practice owner once she realized she could do so much more.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Being in a space that you can grow in
• Trying to determine your path for private practice
• Outsourcing for the growth of your business
• Navigating rapid growth
• Why it doesn’t matter what kind of area you live in
• Filling gaps in the SLP world
• Understanding your responsibility

I completely agree with what Quintina said about being made for more and being able to do much more than she could if she had stayed in her school job.

If you find yourself in the same situation as Quintina, you have choices. You can either stay where you are and hope it gets better, or you can create a new job for yourself through private practice.

Starting a private practice is so much easier if you know the right steps to follow. Learn more about the ins and outs of private practice by watching our FREE on-demand training: www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar.

To get started with your speech therapy private practice sooner, head over to https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist so that you will be notified as soon as we re-open the doors to the Start Your Private Practice System. This is happening so soon, and I don’t want you to miss out!

Resources Mentioned:

www.theslpsocial.com

https://www.instagram.com/theslpsocial_

https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you dream of your last year in the school setting? Does the idea of leaving your school job to work for yourself interest you?

My guest, Ruth Marquez, started her speech therapy private practice on the side of her school job, and she just recently left it to pursue her private practice full-time!

Ruth Marquez opened the doors of Be Brave Speech Therapy in June 2020. Since then, she has done many evaluations which have led to continuous therapy sessions, and countless collaborations with families. In 2021, after a year of being a private practice owner on the side of being a full-time school-based SLP, Ruth decided to go all in and work on her private practice full-time! She is excited to have the time, freedom, and flexibility to help more families and children in need.

From her pros and cons list to her marketing strategy, we are getting into what Ruth did to begin her private practice and how she was able to leave her school job after just one year!

• What to do when you feel limited in your setting
• Acknowledging gaps in service and filling it
• Why you should talk to someone about wanting to start a private practice
• What to do when you’re on the fence about starting a private practice
• The collaboration that you get to have with parents outside of the school setting
• What to do if you want to start but you’re moving “soon”
• Starting to market a new private practice
• How fear can overcomplicate your process
• Deciding what and how you are willing to invest in yourself

Ruth is a wonderful example of someone who had a lot of doubt and fear but decided to invest in herself and her future by following the step-by-step Start Your Private Practice System!

I love hearing stories like these, and I know how motivating they are for all of you! Send a message to Ruth over on FB or IG and let her know what your number one takeaway is from this episode. She will love to hear from you!

If you're ready to learn more about how private practice can help you meet your professional, personal and financial goals just like Ruth, don’t forget to sign up for my brand new FREE training over at startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar!

To get started with your speech therapy private practice sooner, head over to https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist so that you will be notified as soon as we re-open the doors to the Start Your Private Practice System. This is happening so soon, and I don’t want you to miss out!

www.bebravespeechtherapy.com

https://www.instagram.com/bebravespeechtherapy

https://www.facebook.com/bebravespeechtherapy

https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar

Follow the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you been thinking about private practice for a long time, but you aren't sure if you're ready?

A lot of SLPs have internal worries and fears related to whether they are ready to start a private practice, and those often come from impostor syndrome which is something that we have talked a lot about here on the podcast.

People feel like they need to be experts to start a private practice, but if you wait to become an expert, you will never feel expert enough to start.

In this episode, I am talking to you about three ways to know if you are ready to start a private practice!

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• What you must absolutely have before starting
• Taking back your flexibility and freedom through private practice
• Why you need to decide to be ready for private practice
• Realizing that you are resourceful and qualified enough

You might realize during this episode that you are done waiting and that you are ready to start your private practice. I want you to send me a DM on Instagram @theindependentclinican with the word “ready”. Let's talk about what private practice could mean for you in your life!

If you're curious about private practice and want to make sure you're ready, you can also watch our FREE private practice training: www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar!

Get notified as soon as we re-open the doors to the Start Your Private Practice System by heading over to https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist!

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar

Where We Can Connect:

Subscribe to the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What does freedom mean to you?

One of the top reasons why SLPs start their own private practice is because they want freedom.

In this episode, we are talking all about what freedom and independence mean as a clinician and how you can get more of it through private practice.

I’ll never forget the feeling I had when I accepted my first private practice client and realized that I was going to be able to use private practice as the vehicle to freedom in my own life. It was truly thrilling, and I am so glad that I took that leap 15 years ago!

We are getting into that story and why I think that everyone deserves that feeling too.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The independence that comes with owning a business
• How and why I began my private practice
• The thrill I felt when I realized I could create my own freedom
• The steps you can take to have professional, personal and financial freedom

I truly believe that the only way to truly have professional, personal and financial freedom is by owning your own business and in our cases, private practice, because there is nothing more independent than owning your own business.

Remember, if you want more freedom, you have to do something about it! Make a plan and take action!

Whether you want to start a private practice or grow your existing private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. If you are ready to get started, head over to https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist so that you will be notified as soon as we re-open the doors to the Start Your Private Practice System. I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity.

If you're ready to get more FREEDOM from your private practice and want to learn the steps, you can also watch our *brand new* free training www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar!

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

www.startyourprivatepractice.com/webinar

Where We Can Connect:

Subscribe to the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you ever thought about offering mobile fees? Are you wondering how to regroup, rebound, and truly grow a mobile fees business after COVID? Do you want to know more about the realities of starting a private practice with a business partner?

My guests, George Barnes MS CCC-SLP and Allison Mataras MA CCC-SLP, are joining me in this episode to cover all of these topics.

George and Allie started their company, FEESible Swallow Solutions, in January of 2020 - just before the pandemic started. This came from years of working in hospitals and feeling like not enough patients were getting access to the instrumental swallowing exams they needed. Now, they bring the quality of a hospital swallow evaluation to their patient’s facility for a fraction of the time and cost. This allows patients to avoid the risk of going to the hospital and stay in the comfort of their own bed with family by their side.

We get into the need for mobile instrumental swallow evaluations as well as how they navigated their brand new business during the pandemic as business partners. Their energy and enthusiasm about their services and professional goals are inspiring and motivating throughout our entire conversation.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Defining the needs for services in the field
• Defining your own professional needs
• Steps to take to lay the groundwork for your business
• The value of doing a SWOT analysis
• Navigating a new business during the pandemic
• How to divvy up responsibilities with a business partner
• Different approaches you can take with marketing
• Overcoming self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and challenging yourself
• How to guarantee expertise for yourself

George and Allie are a great example of an effective partnership based on mutual respect, shared goals, and just enough differences to be stronger together when they join forces.

While they thought their company would never get off the ground, they managed to turn a terrible situation into an opportunity to help underserved communities get the swallow evaluations they needed. I am so inspired and motivated by that, and I hope you are too.

There is such a need for mobile instrumental swallow evaluations, and if you are interested in learning more about that, I highly recommend that you connect with George and Allie and check out their freebie linked below!

If you are ready to get started with starting your speech therapy private practice, head over to https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist so that you will be notified as soon as we re-open the doors to the Start Your Private Practice System. I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity.

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.feesibleswallowsolutions.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dysphagiadude/

https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

Freebie: How to get FEES in your facility

Where We Can Connect:

Subscribe to the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Are you interested in working with adults? Are you interested in learning from a fairly new SLP who built a specialty practice to full-time within six months?

Katie Brown, who is joining me in this episode, is who you want to hear from if either of these (or both) are of interest to you!

Katie Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS is a speech-language pathologist and certified brain injury specialist practicing in Buffalo, NY. She owns a private practice called Neuro Speech Solutions which specializes in therapy for adults with neurogenic communication and cognitive disorders. Katie is passionate about providing meaningful, functional therapy to those with aphasia and cognitive impairments related to stroke and TBI.

Outside of her private practice, Katie is active in the SLP community. She is an advocate for person-centered care and creates digital materials aiming to help other medical SLPs feel more confident in providing personally relevant therapy. Katie is a mentor for the Start Your Private Practice Program and an SLP consultant for the aphasia app company, Tactus Therapy. She volunteers for several non-profits and provides a monthly workshop for brain injury survivors.

In this conversation, Katie and I talk about what happens when SLPs decide that they've had it in traditional settings and want to work outside of the box. We also get into how she got started in her specialty, what it took to grow her private practice so quickly and so much more.

• What it’s like to start a private practice early in your career
• Why you need to always be talking about your private practice
• The difference between being helpful and being salesy
• Creating community over competition with other SLPs
• Limiting beliefs that might deter you from starting a private practice
• Why you should find a mentor to guide you

Katie is a shining example of what is possible in private practice. She followed the step-by-step plan, did the work, and built a private practice that she's proud of by being a part of the Start Your Private Practice program. She is one of my top success stories, and I'm very proud of what she's done!

If you were inspired by Katie or have questions about the program and whether it's right for you, please reach out to Katie via Instagram. You can find her @NeuroSpeechSolutions - https://www.instagram.com/neurospeechsolutions!

If you are ready to get started with starting your speech therapy private practice, head over to https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist so that you will be notified as soon as we re-open the doors to the Start Your Private Practice System. I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity.

https://www.neurospeechsolutions.com/

https://www.neurospeechsolutions.com/slps

https://www.instagram.com/neurospeechsolutions

https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

Subscribe to the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There are so many benefits to having a private practice, but one of the most desirable benefits is the ability to have a flexible schedule.

Kelsey Martin, who is joining me in this episode, knows all about the balance that private practice can offer. She created a private practice so that she could spend as much time as possible with her young children while financially providing for her family as an SLP and business owner.

Kelsey is the owner of Playful Communication in Waxhaw, North Carolina. She specializes in serving the pediatric population and particularly enjoys working with children ages birth to 5 and those that have Down syndrome like her sweet boy, Isaac. Kelsey is married to Nate, and they have two beautiful children - Isaac and Rae. Her kiddos are her inspiration for her private practice and the flexibility it allows. She keeps her practice "small on purpose" to allow her to be with her children and show up for all of life's big and little moments with them!

Kelsey explains in the episode that she “struck gold” because she was able to build something that is perfect for her and her family, so we dive into how she started her private practice, what her days look like, why she is staying small right now and so much more.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Shifting from being work-focused to family-focused
• Slowly making your private practice present
• Designing a private practice that helps you reach your goals
• Defining success as a business owner
• Making decisions with confidence
• Intentionally thinking of yourself as a CEO

I love that Kelsey has consistently trusted the timing of her life and the growth of her private practice. She is using her private practice as a vehicle to take control of her professional, personal and financial life while helping herself and her family. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Being able to help her throughout her journey has been so amazing. She was once in the Start Your Private Practice program, but she has now moved onto my higher-level program which is helping her get to the six-figure level and grow her private practice.

If you're already earning about $2,000 a month in private practice and you need help increasing your income, hiring a terrific team, getting systems in place, and becoming a CEO, head on over to sixfigureprivatepractice.com. My FREE webinar for established private practitioners, How to Grow Your Private Practice to the Six Figure Level and Beyond, is on June 15th at 9pmEST!

Resources Mentioned:

Sixfigureprivatepractice.com

www.playfulcommunication.com

facebook.com/playfulcommunication

https://www.instagram.com/playfulcommunication

Where We Can Connect:

Subscribe to the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you ever thought about the cost of not starting a private practice? Have you thought about it both in terms of the money you could be earning and also the time you could be spending doing things you love?

One reason why SLPs put off starting private practices is that they worry that they need a lot of money for startup costs.

In this episode, I am flipping the script and talking about the cost of not starting your private practice.

We tend to think about financial costs, but there are also time costs, psychological costs, and emotional costs. I am breaking down each of these!

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The monetary cost of starting a private practice
• What you do need to pay for to start a private practice
• Using your private practice to speed up the process of paying off debt
• The cost associated with telling people no
• Hidden costs of private practice
• Considering what you are missing out on

By saying no and deciding not to get set up, you have lost out on some income that you could have had in your bank account!

I want you to commit to starting your private practice now. Stop waiting! You are qualified and I can help you with the business aspect of it.

If you want help starting your speech therapy private practice, head on over to www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist . You will be notified as soon as we open the doors again! I cannot wait to help you.

If you are not sure if The Start Your Private Practice Program can help you, DM me on Instagram @IndependentClinician to talk about it!

Resources Mentioned:

www.startyourprivatepractice.com/waitlist

https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Where We Can Connect:

Subscribe to the Podcast

Follow Me on Instagram

Follow Me on Facebook

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.