Private Practice Success Stories

Wondering how you can market to medical private practices?

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I spoke with Meaghan Arnold, a speech-language pathologist with an adult and geriatric-focused private practice in Tyler, Texas. She began her career working in skilled nursing facilities and home health and quickly realized the need for continued care. This prompted Meaghan to start her own private practice in 2020.

We discuss how being passionate about your niche and patient population is key to success. Meaghan shares why she is so passionate about physician and community education and emphasizes the importance of both clinical care and business aspects in running a healthcare practice.

Meaghan Arnold is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Speech Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation, a private practice in Tyler, Texas. SSNR exclusively serves the adult and geriatric populations across voice, speech, memory, cognition, language, and swallowing deficits.

Meaghan received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona and her Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Meaghan has worked in skilled nursing facilities, home health, and the outpatient setting in Texas for the last eight years. Meaghan is a three-time ASHA ACE award recipient and is passionate about the importance of lifelong continuing education.

She prioritizes her participation in community outreach events and patient education. Meaghan has presented at local conferences, support groups, universities, and physician offices across topics including dysphagia management in the head and neck cancer population, deviations from typical in the aging swallow, communication changes in the dementia population, and risk mitigation and decision-making in dysphagia.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Meaghan’s story of how she became a private practice owner
• The importance of selling your services
• How having a private practice allows you to prioritize what matters with your patients
• Ways to find referrals for your practice
• The key to successful word-of-mouth marketing
• What you need to know if you struggle with a fear of failure
• The mindset shift from selling to advocating
• How to perfect your elevator pitch when asking for referrals from medical practices
• The importance of thinking and acting like a business owner
• What it’s like to own a private practice as a mom

I hope you enjoyed your conversation with Meaghan! She is a perfect example of someone who turned her niche clinical interests into a thriving business where she has full control over which populations she works with.

If you would like to know more about how we can help you start your private practice (just like we helped Meaghan!) please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

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:

Visit Meaghan’s website: https://ssnrtx.com/

Follow Meaghan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssnr_tx/

Follow Meaghan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068718896885

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Trying private practice may feel scary and uncomfortable, but it’s worth the risk when you consider the alternative: staying stuck in a less-than-ideal (maybe even toxic!) work environment!

Joining me today is Kylie Danfelt, SLP and owner of Berry Sweet Speech and Language. Within a year of joining the Start Program, Kylie went from stressful and tear-filled work days, to a full caseload and flexibility to be with her family.

In this episode, Kylie shares how she got into private practice, what helped her grow her caseload in a short amount of time, and how she makes a bigger difference in her community without spending more time at work.

Kylie Danfelt is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and state-certified in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and California. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University (2017) and her master’s degree from Towson University (2019). She has worked in public schools in both states for the majority of her career. She also briefly worked at a private practice in Maryland before COVID. She has worked with children aged 18 months to 18 years old. Her clinical interests and specialties include articulation disorders, phonological disorders, and childhood language disorders. She also has experience treating fluency disorders and social communication disorders.

Aside from being a speech-language pathologist, Kyle is the wife of a blueberry farmer and a mother of two boys. She enjoys spontaneous adventures and traveling, especially to warm places, exercising, and being with my family and friends.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Why staying put in a toxic environment is a bad move for everyone
• The marketing “avalanche effect” that led her to a full caseload
• Growing her team to support the huge demand in the community
• What it’s like being in a family of entrepreneurs

Instead of going to a stressful job each day, Kylie can drop her son off at school and participate in so many of her kids’ activities thanks to the flexibility of her private practice. You deserve to enjoy your work AND life, don’t sell yourself short!

Want our help to get out of a toxic job? Visit www.IndependentClinician.com/Resources to learn more about how we can support you, just like we promised Kylie.

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:

Get support starting your next chapter: http://www.IndependentClinician.com/Resources

Check out Kylie’s practice: https://www.berrysweetspeech.com

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

How do you know if you’re in the messy middle of private practice growth?

In this episode of Private Practice Success Stories, I’m going solo to speak to the people who are in the growth phase of their private practice journey, and not just the beginners.

The growth phase starts after you get five private practice clients or more. Why? Because most people can see five private clients on the side of their job relatively easily.

However, once you get to five clients and beyond, time becomes tighter and you have to decide whether to stay small or to grow your private practice in terms of more clients, which of course requires more time, but also lets you to be able to do more services.

The problem is, some people get stuck there! That’s where I come in. My job as a private practice business coach is to help you get through the messy middle as quickly and easily as possible.

So in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about what the messy middle is, how to know when you're there, and if you're already in the messy middle and are feeling completely overwhelmed, the steps you need to take to get through it as quickly and easily as possible.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• What the messy middle of private practice is
• The real reason so many private practitioners get stuck in the messy middle
• The difference between working on your business and working in your business
• The key to avoiding burnout as your private practice grows
• How the Grow program will help you tackle these challenges head-on

If you're in The Messy Middle of private practice growth and want help navigating through it as quickly and easily as possible... please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com to learn more about how we can help support you.

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:

Learn more about how to grow your private practice: www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Do you want to start your private practice, but feel intimidated by the financial aspect of starting a business? This episode is for you!

Today I’m joined by Becky Spence, an SLP who made an incredible pivot from owning a thriving private practice to becoming a certified tax advisor specifically for healthcare professionals and small business owners.

Becky started her private practice, Achieve Therapy, back in 2014. After business boomed during the pandemic, thanks to her teletherapy, she experienced a bit of sticker shock despite paying estimated taxes throughout the year. She decided to head in a new direction to help SLPs, OTs, and other small business owners understand their finances, maximize tax deductions, and more!

In this episode, Becky shares financial tips for setting up your business to thrive financially, including what our community needs to know about tax savings!

As a speech-language pathologist turned tax advisor, Becky has a unique perspective on problem-solving and empowering others to succeed. Her journey into tax advising began when she faced the challenges of understanding tax systems and deduction strategies for her own private practice. It became clear that many start-ups and small business owners needed tailored, accessible support in this area. Motivated by this, she earned her tax advising certification to help fill this gap.

Now, Becky combines her passion for helping others with an expertise in tax advising to support small business owners. Her goal is to simplify financial complexities, assist in maximizing deductions, and help create effective business plans and growth strategies. By offering personalized guidance and practical implementation, she helps business owners gain the confidence and clarity they need to focus on what matters most: growing and thriving in their ventures.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Bridging the gap between clinician and CEO
• Experiencing major growth during the pandemic
• Who Becky works with and what exactly she helps with
• Two tax deductions SLPs may not know about
• Creating your own retirement plan so you can comfortably leave your job

If Becky’s story resonated with you and you’re feeling curious (or maybe even a little panicked) about your finances, I highly recommend booking a free 15-minute discovery call with her at SpenceTaxAdvising.com.

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:

Connect with Becky: http://SpenceTaxAdvising.com

Find Becky on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spencetaxadvising

Follow Becky on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencetaxadvising

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

If you want a flexible schedule that works with your family’s needs and doesn’t leave you feeling constantly behind, this episode has the answers! My guest’s private practice gives her the freedom to build her career around her family, and not the other way around!

Joining me today is Katie LaVoi, SLP and owner of As We Speak, her private practice located in O’Fallon, Missouri. Katie joined the Start Your Private Practice Program after juggling family life and the rigid school schedule at work became too much for her.

After doubling her client goal by the end of summer, Katie was able to leave her job at the school and pursue sustainable growth at her practice full-time. She continued through the Grow Program and has built a career she loves!

In this episode, Katie shares how she was able to build her private practice one step at a time (even with three kids!) and gain flexibility, balance, and fulfillment at home and at work.

Katie LaVoi is a speech language pathologist with 12 years of experience working in pediatrics. While most of her career was spent as a public school SLP, she recently opened her own mobile private practice, As We Speak. As We Speak provides speech and language therapy services to children, ages 18 months to 18 years. Katie is a busy mother to three active, young children, ages 8, 5, and 3. Her desire to open a private practice was fueled by the freedom to schedule based on her own family needs and priorities.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• How Katie shifted her career plans as her family grew
• Getting started with the Start Program between school years
• Using organic marketing to boost her client load
• What her schedule looks like and how it helps her stay balanced with work and home life

Want to see clients through your own private practice, just like we helped Katie? We would love to help you get set up and started! Please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources

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:

Find support starting your own practice: http://www.IndependentClinician.com/resources

Follow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aswespeakslp/

Find Katie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aswespeakslpmo

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

If you've been thinking about starting your private practice later in life or after you've worked as an SLP, this episode is for you! Today’s guest proves it’s never too late to make your dreams a reality.

Joining me is Christine Zinn, SLP and owner of The Speech School in Las Vegas, Nevada. I’ve known Christine throughout her time in the Start and Grow Your Private Practice Programs and have seen her amazing growth as a clinician and business owner.

After going to grad school much later in life than she had planned, and doing some serious soul searching, Christine realized private practice was a way of creating something for herself (instead of for a demanding employer!).

In this episode, Christine talks about going to grad school later on in her career and how she found the confidence to build a lifestyle private practice that reflects her professional and personal values.

Christine "Miss Chris" Zinn is a pediatric Speech Pathologist in the Las Vegas area. Her practice, The Speech School LLC, focuses on caregiver coaching/education, small groups for "Purposeful Play," and 1:1 treatment. She combines quality, evidence-based clinical practice with reassuring, practical communication strategies for our youngest communicators and their caregivers.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Finding the courage to go to grad school later on in life
• Overcoming limiting beliefs to follow your passion
• How imagining her “ideal day” helped her realize private practice was a good fit
• Adding Medicaid to her practice to serve more clients
• Christine’s support community of other private practice owners in the Las Vegas area
• Using what you want to move away from and what you want to move toward as a guide to decision-making in your career

Christine has built a business that perfectly matches her lifestyle and values! It’s never too late to realize what you want and to make it come to pass. I hope her story inspires you to take the next step toward what you want and try something new!

If you would like to know more about our programs and how we help you start or grow their practice, just like we helped Christine, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.

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:

Check out Christine’s practice: http://www.thespeechschool.com

Follow The Speech School on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespeechschoollv

Get support starting or growing your private practice: http://www.IndependentClinician.com/resources

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Do you want to start a private practice but feel overwhelmed by the logistics or your lack of business knowledge? If so, this episode is for you!

Joining me in this episode is Francesca Hernandez, a speech-language pathologist and the proud owner of Chihuahuan Desert Speech Therapy in El Paso, Texas. After filling her schedule with four PRN jobs right out of graduate school, Francesca realized that starting her own practice would give her greater control over her career.

Francesca joined the Start Your Private Practice Program in 2022, but waited over a year before actually diving into it. She had the same frustrations with her job that so many SLPs experience, and has not looked back since going through the Start Program!

In this episode, Francesca shares how her clinical skills and experience gave her the confidence to slowly build her own business and go into private practice full-time.

Francesca was born and raised in El Paso, TX. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso to pursue her undergraduate studies with the financial support of a full-ride scholarship from the Terry Foundation. Her personal life experiences led her to develop a strong passion for treating individuals with neurological disorders. She has always valued giving back to the El Paso community, which ultimately motivated her to start her private practice.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Francesca’s introduction to speech-language pathology after her father’s TBI
• What it was like working four PRN jobs to get experience after grad school
• The thought pattern that so many SLPs face when dealing with job dissatisfaction
• Why getting word-of-mouth referrals is easier than you think it is
• Francesca’s day-to-day schedule working with an adult population

Francesca is like so many SLPs who want to leave their jobs, but don’t know if they have what it takes to go into private practice. I hope her story helps you realize you already have what it takes, and the flexibility and job autonomy you want are just a leap of faith away!

If you would like to know more about our programs and how we help support YOU in starting or growing your practice, just like we supported Francesca, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.

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:

Follow Francesca on Instagram: www.instagram.com/chihuadesertspeech/

Francesca’s website: https://www.chihuadesertspeech.com

Get support in starting or growing your practice: http://www.IndependentClinician.com/resources

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

If you’re tired of feeling underappreciated and held back by the school system, this episode is for you!

Joining me today is Kim Willard, SLP and founder of Empower YOU Speech and Language Therapy in Spring Hill, Tennessee. After a new school position did not live up to her expectations following a move, Kim realized something had to change.

Kim decided to open her private practice after joining the Start Your Private Practice Program back in 2023, and it’s been amazing to watch her create success on her own terms.

In this episode, Kim shares what it's like to run a mobile private practice that reflects her priorities and gives her the job satisfaction she’s always wanted.

As a speech therapist with over 18 years of experience and a graduate of stuttering therapy, Kim Willard believes that everyone can become a confident communicator, regardless of their differences.

Her practice, Empower YOU, is centered around making speech and language therapy a meaningful and joyful experience for all types of learners. She takes a child-centered approach to therapy sessions, supporting connection over compliance. Her greatest pleasure is to see a child fall in love with learning, share their unique thoughts with the world, and feel as special as they are.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Dealing with career disappointment following an exciting move
• Navigating private practice while working full-time, and when she realized she could quit her job
• What Kim’s day-to-day looks like running her own practice
• Learning to believe in your skillset and charge what you’re worth
• Developing working relationships that lead to referrals (and not competition!)

I hope Kim’s inspiring story reminds you it’s never too late to pivot and start calling the shots yourself. You have so much to offer, and you deserve to charge your worth!

If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs (like Kim) who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.

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:

Check out Kim’s website: www.empoweryouspeech.com

Follow Kim on Instagram: www.instagram.com/empoweryouspeech

Learn more about our programs: www.IndependentClinician.com/resources

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

Does the idea of starting a private practice from scratch make it seem too out of reach? If this is you, you’ll love this episode!

Joining me today is Hayley Hughston, SLP and founder of Honey Speech Therapy Services in Vidalia, Georgia.

I got to know Hayley during her time in the Grow Your Private Practice Program, and it has been so incredible to watch her grow from someone who wasn't even sure if private practice was the right path to now running a full and thriving caseload.

In this episode, Hayley shares how she went from feeling overwhelmed and burned out to now loving her life as a confident private practice owner.

Hayley Hughston lives in a small town in South Georgia. After spending a few years in various settings, she became more in tune with her strengths, weaknesses, and passions. She realized the only way to truly be happy in her career was to make it her own.

At 29 years old, this meant starting her own business so she could focus on the passions that make her a better therapist. Her practice is currently centered around early intervention with goals to niche down to literacy. With an alarming decline in reading proficiency across the country, Hayley plans to provide much-needed literacy support to her rural area.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• The moment Hayley realized something had to change
• Starting and growing a thriving practice in a small town
• Using Facebook as a marketing tool to fill her caseload
• How working for herself has brought balance to her family

Hayley’s story is proof that if she can do it, you can do it too! Even if you’re starting from nothing, a future of flexibility and financial stability is waiting for you.

Join our Free Training Series on how YOU can start seeing private clients this summer: www.PlanYourPrivatePractice.com

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:

Join our Free Training: http://www.PlanYourPrivatePractice.com

Follow Honey Speech Therapy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Honey-Speech-Therapy-Services/61565474491685/#

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/

If you've been feeling stuck, stretched thin, or dreaming of finally starting your private practice, then this episode is your summer nudge!

Stop waiting for the perfect time, it’s already here! You don’t need to quit your job, you just need a plan! And that’s exactly what I’m talking about today.

In this episode, I’m talking about why summer is the best time to start seeing private clients and what you need to put in place now to make it happen.

In Today's Episode, We Discuss:

• Why summer is the best time to start your private practice
• What you need (and don’t need) to get started
• My free 3-day training series taking place in May

When fall comes around, I don’t want you to be filled with the usual dread. This is your time to build your dream practice, and I am here to help you!

To register for my free 3-day training, See Clients This Summer, head over to planyourprivatepractice.com.

Resources Mentioned:

Want to see clients this summer? Join our free, 3-day training series: www.PlanYourPrivatePractice.com

Where We Can Connect:

Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199

Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/slp.private.practice.beginners/