Private Practice Success Stories

Jeannette Washington is someone who continually seizes the opportunities that come her way. She started her career as a SLP working for schools before deciding to take the leap into private practice. She founded her company, Bearly Articulating and in this episode, she talks about what led her to that decision and how the transition was for her. We chat about why she decided to learn to code and how she’s weaved this into her work as an SLP. She also talks about her new book, Technical Difficulties: Why Dyslexic Narratives Matter In Tech.

What we discuss: 

• Why Jeannette decided to go to the private practice route
• What the transition of being a private practice owner was like
• Why she learned how to code and how she’s integrated tech into her work as a SLP
• Her advice for people who want to get into speaking and publishing

For more information, visit: www.IndependentClinician.com

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

Ruth Bass, MS, CCC-SLP started her career as a speech-language pathologist later in life. After working for another company, she decided to branch out on her own. Ruth started her pediatric private practice, Island Therapies with the intention of remaining small on purpose. In this episode, we talk about how to keep things simple but profitable and her perspective on taking things back to the basics. She talks about going at your own pace and doing what you want as a private practice owner. Ruth and I explore some of the best marketing strategies she’s uncovered over the years that have led to client referrals and how she makes the most out of referrals.

Here's what we discuss:

• Her reasoning behind why she’s wanted to stay a small practice
• Her advice on asking for help and hiring for the things you aren’t good at
• Ruth’s tips for someone thinking about going down the road of private practice
• How she feels about starting small and taking baby steps
• How Ruth uses the concept of friend-raising to get more client referrals

For more information, visit: www.IndependentClinician.com

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

Ebone Williams, did not ever really consider the private practice path until recently. In this episode, she shares how she launched her practice in December and was full by early March. She discusses how she uses screenings and professional development to grow her practice, and how her family’s motto: “Do it afraid,” has helped her move forward and grow her practice.

What we discuss: 

• What motivated Ebone to start her private practice
• How she developed her business model
• The benefits of being an on-site therapist 
• Future plans for Affinity Therapy Services

For more information, visit: www.IndependentClinician.com

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

As the first occupational therapist to be featured on this podcast, Hana Eichele is a highly-driven owner of a new private practice. She transitioned to private practice from working in the schools and in clinics, where she found less freedom and flexibility than she desired. Hana is excited about the prospect of expanding her practice in the near future.

Here's What We Discuss:

• Her many sources of inspiration to start and continue her private practice 
• How she arranged a smooth transition between her previous position to seeing her own clients
• How she plans to diversify by drawing upon her other talents
• Her experienced advice to therapists that are starting their journey
• Jena’s take on an overwhelming obstacle for many new private practice owners

Links and Resources:

• Feeding Matters
• 105 West Design
• Roots Pediatric Therapy
• Feeding Littles

For more information, visit: www.IndependentClinician.com

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

Susannah Silvia, a friend of Jena's from high school in New Orleans, was determined to overcome the odds despite the staggering effect of Hurricane Katrina on her personal and professional life. She pursued a career in early intervention and now is the director of the same private practice at which she started her clinical fellowship. Currently she balances being a mother, author, and professor with a goal to increase her impact on the SLP world in the upcoming year.

Here's What We Discuss:

• How she discovered her passion for speech-language pathology in lieu of other helping professions
• Her decision to pursue an ownership position within her first professional setting
• Her commitment to developing multiple streams of income for multiple life-enhancing reasons
• How another SLP helped her make her book publishing dream come true
• How she transitioned from being a university guest speaker to an adjunct lecturer

Links and Resources:

• First Steps 
• Your Baby Loves To Say That!

For more information, visit: www.IndependentClinician.com

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

On this episode, I'm going to introduce you to Tami Teshima of Duncan Lake Speech Therapy. Tami is one of the star students from the Start Your Private Practice Program. She is one of our biggest cheerleaders for our students, always celebrating their wins and providing encouragement. And now she has #LeveledUp and has become a member of Grow Your Private Practice.

Tami was a school-based SLP who got laid off (a year before covid!) She had always wanted a private practice and took it as a sign to do it. So she joined Start Your Private Practice and we recorded this episode on the anniversary of her first year in private practice.

Tami loves working with young kids and also doing gender affirming voice and communication modification. Tami's bubbly and friendly fun personality is something that you will fall in love with.

As you listen - be thinking about what aspects of Tami's story you identify with.

To learn more about starting your own speech therapy private practice, visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com

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

Yvette McCoy has cultivated a wide-reaching private practice over the last 15 years. She currently employs and collaborates with a variety of specialists, including ENTs and audiologists, in order to serve her clients from infancy to adulthood. Yvette has had an inspiring influence on her community and continues to grow with their needs in mind.

Here's What We Discuss:

• Her first foray into private practice as an SLP conducting home visits
• The business mindset she developed over time to lead her to a vibrant practice
• Her advice to become board-certified which surprised her colleagues
• Her persistence in the presence of internal and external doubt
• Jena’s valuable opinion on why a slow and steady start to your private practice is the way to go

Connect with Yvette:

• LinkedIn

For more information, visit: www.IndependentClinician.com

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

Quick question:

You wouldn't build a house without architectural plans, would you?

So let's make sure you PLAN your private practice before you start it.

As part of Better Hearing and Speech Month, I am offering a FREE 5 day challenge to help SLPs plan their ideal private practice.

Click here to register (it's free!)

There are five major decisions you have to make in planning your private practice, which I will help you do in 20 minutes per day (2-3 minute videos, a 5 minute task and a 15 minute Q&A time with me.)

When it comes to planning private practices, I've seen a lot of SLPs get stuck in analysis paralysis and I don't want that to happen to you.

After 5 days, you'll make 5 major decisions that will help you:

✅ Schedule around your private practice around your life

✅ Offer services you feel good about

✅ Make sure you're working with the right clients

✅ Build in work/life balance from the beginning

✅ Keep your overhead / expenses low from the start

... and be ready to START knowing that you have a solid plan in place.

5 days.

5 decisions.

Planned out.

Click here to register: https://www.startyourprivatepractice.com/plan

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

Welcome to the Grow Your Private Practice Playlist!

If you have clients and you’re committed to building a sustainable private practice to the six figure level and beyond, make sure to listen through this mix of solo episodes and interviews that will help you gain greater insight on what the growth stage looks like and how we can make it easier for you.

Enjoy the episodes and reach out if you want support to navigate the Messy Middle!

Katie Brown knew she could convert her passion for the adult medical field into a private practice early on. After experiencing the life of a generalist SLP in skilled nursing and acute care, she felt her calling was to deliver patient-focused adult care in patients’ homes. This unique focus has set Katie apart within her community. She looks forward to collaborating with other private practitioners as well as marketing to doctors in the near future.

Here's what we discuss:

• Her breakthrough moment that made her realize it was time to start her private practice
• How she reconciles being an introvert with various extroverted activities designed to develop relationships with colleagues
• Her perspective on the importance of finding a mentor and sharing the wealth
• Her strong encouragement for new practitioners who also have only a few years experience under their belts
• Jena’s sage insight into the difference between pushiness and information sharing

Links and Resources:

• Swallow Your Pride Podcast

For more information, visit: www.IndependentClinician.com

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