In this inspiring Season 3 episode, Luba welcomes Hallie Sherman, M.S. CCC-SLP the powerhouse behind Speech Time Fun, the SLP Elevate membership, and The Speech Retreat. With 16 years of school-based experience, Hallie built one of the most recognizable platforms in the SLP community while working full-time, raising kids, and learning business from scratch.

This isn't just a "how I built my business" story. It's a raw, honest conversation about imposter syndrome, taking chances, and realizing that validation from the outside world can spark something bigger than you imagined.

Hallie's Journey:

• Started as an anonymous blogger ("Miss Speechy") worried about being "Google-able"
• Created resources out of necessity—couldn't find materials for older speech students
• Turned a hobby blog into a business in 2016 during fertility struggles
• Built a 2,000-member SLP Elevate membership, 600+ TpT resources, and The Speech Retreat
• Left her school job after 13 years to run Speech Time Fun full-time
• Now impacts thousands of SLPs and millions of students worldwide

In this episode, Hallie shares:

• Why her Amazon account is still "Miss Speechy" (and her husband's Whole Foods pickup embarrassment)
• How Pinterest and early Instagram (before the algorithm!) helped her grow
• Why she hired business coaches for Instagram, Facebook ads, and leadership
• The moment she hit 10K followers: "10,000 people are following me?! That's crazy!"
• Learning to be a leader, build systems, and train a team (not just hire for skills)
• Her 10 worst-case scenarios list before leaving her school job
• Why imposter syndrome shows up every day: "Who am I to tell people how to be an SLP?"
• Her biggest strength: quick action taking ("I'd rather it be messy and fix it later")
• Her dream: getting districts to pay for SLP Elevate so therapists don't pay out of pocket
• What grad school didn't prepare her for: mixed groups, data reality, older students

"If I sat around and waited for it to be perfect, I would have never put it out there. What's the worst that happens? It flops? I've had many ideas flop."

This episode is for school-based SLPs feeling burnt out, therapists wanting to build online businesses, educators creating content, and anyone struggling with imposter syndrome while building something big.

📲 Connect with Hallie Sherman: Website: speechtimefun.com | Instagram: @speechtimefun Podcast: SLP Coffee Talk | Membership: SLP Elevate Conference: The Speech Retreat | Book: The Secondary SLP Roadmap

🎙️ Season 3 is here subscribe now!

📲 Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast

In this groundbreaking Season 3 episode, Luba welcomes Erinn Askin, OT and founder of Oteim Pediatrics in California, to discuss one of the most innovative approaches in pediatric therapy today: neuroadaptive therapy using low-level lasers (photobiomodulation).

Erinn's journey is inspiring and unconventional. From nannying and wanting the "cute minivan life," to becoming an OT, to teaching anatomy and physiology, to quitting her job when her boss denied her vacation Erinn ultimately opened her own practice that now serves clients internationally and teaches clinicians worldwide.

What makes Oteim different? Lasers. Class 3B cold lasers that use different wavelengths to energize and oxygenate targeted brain areas accelerating progress in speech, OT, sensory processing, ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more.

In this episode, Erinn shares:

• How she discovered laser therapy through a friend whose child's behavior transformed
• What photobiomodulation is (studied for 60+ years, declassified by the FDA)
• How low-level lasers work: ATP, mitochondria, cellular energy, brain oxygenation
• Why different wavelengths target different brain depths and areas
• How lasers can accelerate therapy progress sometimes cutting treatment time in half
• Real examples: ADHD (frontal lobe), tics , speech delays, motor issues
• Why she left her professorship and started Oteim
• Her international pop-up intensives (Northern Ireland, Scandinavia, Dubai)
• Why she created "Neuroadaptive Therapy in a Box" to teach clinicians globally
• Her advice: "Just do it. Stop looking over your shoulder."

"There's no shortage of people to help on this planet. We will never run out of children to help."

This episode is for therapists who want to innovate, parents seeking cutting-edge solutions, and entrepreneurs building global missions.

📲 Connect with Erinn Askin: Instagram: @oteimpeds | Website: https://www.oteim.com/

🎙️ Season 3 is here subscribe now!

📲 Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast

If your child is smart, understands everything, follows directions but still struggles to speak clearly this episode is for you.

Your child isn't lazy or careless. This has nothing to do with intelligence.

In this solo episode, Luba breaks down one of the most misunderstood areas of speech development: why brilliant kids struggle with articulation, motor planning, and speech clarity and what parents can do about it.

Most parents are told to "wait and see" or that their child will "grow out of it." But here's what they're NOT told: Speech clarity issues often stem from myofunctional disorders, airway problems, tongue posture, and motor pathway issues—not lack of effort.

In this episode, Luba explains:

• Articulation vs. Motor Planning (why your child knows the word but can't coordinate the sound)
• Tongue Posture Matters (where the tongue should rest and what happens when it doesn't)
• Mouth Breathing & Airway Issues (how open mouth posture, tongue ties, tonsils, allergies impact speech)
• Weak Lip Seal (what a full lip seal looks like and why it's critical)
• The Myofunction Connection (how breathing, tongue position, and oral strength create the foundation for clear speech)
• Missing Teeth & Tongue Lateralization (how these distort sound production)
• The Deviated Uvula (what it means if your child's uvula swings to one side)
• The "They'll Grow Out of It" Myth (why waiting can hurt your child's development)
• The Whole Child Approach (why global evaluations matter and how everything is connected)

"If your tongue doesn't know where to rest, it's not going to know where to move for sounds. We can't expect precision when the foundation isn't stable."

This episode is for parents who have been told their child will "grow out of" speech issues, notice their child struggles with certain sounds despite being smart, see mouth breathing or weak lip seal, or want to understand the ROOT CAUSE of speech delays.

Luba's approach at Kidology is global: speech isn't isolated; it's connected to breathing, oral posture, motor planning, and more. When the body gets support, clarity follows.

Free Resources from Luba: Visit https://lubapatlakh.com for:

• Articulation vs. Motor Planning Checklist
• Oral Posture and Airway Signs Guide
• What to Watch and When to Act

Season 3 is here, subscribe now!

Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast | @kidologyinc | @kidologyqueen

From entering foster care at age 4 with a 20-word vocabulary to becoming a multimillionaire entrepreneur and CEO of the Year Crystal Noell's story is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this transformative episode of The Growth Lab, host Luba Patlakh-Kaplun sits down with Crystal Noell, founder of My CFO and creator of The STOP Method™, to unpack the financial strategies that changed both of their businesses forever.

Crystal shares her journey from being adopted out of foster care to launching her first business at 25, building multiple companies, battling a traumatic brain injury, and now living with early onset Parkinson's all while revolutionizing how entrepreneurs approach their finances.

In this episode, discover:

The STOP Method - Crystal's game-changing 4-account system (Savings, Taxes, Operations, Profit Sharing) that prevents the cash flow disasters that take businesses under

The Revenue Trap - Why focusing on top-line revenue is the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make and what you should focus on instead

The One Report - The single weekly report Crystal checks in her 8-figure business (and the one you should be reviewing too)

From 80 to 15 - How Crystal went from working 80-hour weeks as a "bottleneck boss" to running 3 businesses in just 15 hours per week

STOP vs. Profit First - The crucial difference between these two methods and which one your business needs first (hint: you might be skipping a critical step)

Ready for a CFO? - The clear signs your business is ready for financial clarity and fractional CFO support (plus when you're not)

Budget Mastery - The budget versus actuals report that transforms how you see your business and the non-negotiable numbers every entrepreneur should review weekly

Crystal doesn't hold back in sharing vulnerable insights about apologizing to her kids for prioritizing business over family, redefining success after her diagnosis, and why she believes financial leadership is a learned skill, not a natural talent. She opens up about the moment her daughter said she'd never want to own a business because "I never see you," and how that changed everything.

This episode is for every entrepreneur who has ever looked at their P&L and felt overwhelmed, wondered why profit feels elusive despite growing revenue, or struggled to pay themselves while keeping the business afloat. Crystal provides a roadmap to sustainable, profitable growth that doesn't require sacrificing your health, relationships, or sanity.

About Crystal Noell: Crystal Noell is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and founder of My CFO, a firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs master their finances with clarity and confidence. After rising from foster care to becoming a multimillionaire through entrepreneurship, Crystal developed The STOP Method™ and EPI Formula to simplify cash flow and budgeting for business owners. Through her proven frameworks, she teaches leaders how to align intuition with financial data to create sustainable, profitable growth—because at the end of the day, cash flow isn't luck, it's strategy.

Connect with Crystal: 📚 Grab Crystal's book: The STOP Method on Amazon 💼 Million Dollar Blueprint Mastermind launched this month!

https://www.amazon.com/STOP-Method-Game-Changing-Budgeting-Approach/dp/B0CY5DKLMG

Instagram: @my_cfo_

My CFO 💼 Upcoming: Million Dollar Blueprint Mastermind

If you found value in this episode, subscribe to The Growth Lab Podcast and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thegrowthlabpodcast.

In this powerful Season 3 episode, Luba welcomes Erika Sinner Inc. 5000 founder (2x!), Chief Empathy Officer, author of Pets Are Family, and the visionary behind Tiny Superheroes, an organization transforming hospital culture for children facing serious illnesses.

Erika's story is one of resilience, empathy, and purpose. Growing up with food stamps, an absent father, and instability, she learned early what it meant to crave safety—and that drive shaped everything she's built. From 14-hour days and 22 straight weeks of travel to prove her business concept, to building Directorie into a thriving life science marketing agency, Erika has proven you can have high performance AND deep care.

But this conversation goes beyond business. Erika shares the heartbreak of losing her dog Kingston to heart cancer and how that loss sparked her mission to normalize pet bereavement leave. She talks about Tiny Superheroes, an organization giving kids capes and transforming their medical journeys into superhero missions.

In this episode, Erika shares:

• Growing up with instability and how it shaped her core value: safety
• The moment her dad said, "I have a new family now"
• Working her way up from marketing associate to pharmaceutical leader
• Why she calls herself Chief Empathy Officer (empathy is strategic, not soft)
• Losing Kingston and why "it's just a dog" is never okay
• How Tiny Superheroes transforms hospital culture
• Why kids in capes feel powerful instead of broken
• Her advice: "You don't need anyone's permission. You are in the driver's seat."

"I didn't have the parents I needed. So I became the leader I wish I had."

Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating loss, this episode will remind you that empathy is your superpower. And you don't need permission to chase your dreams.

📲 Connect with Erika Sinner: Instagram (Personal): @erika_sinner Instagram (Directorie): @directorie_ Instagram (Tiny Superheroes): @tinysuperheroes Instagram (Her Dogs): @crazy4pei LinkedIn: Erika Sinner Website: erikasinner.org Book: Pets Are Family

🎙️ Season 3 is here subscribe now!

📲 Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast on Instagram & TikTok

Welcome to Season 3 of The Growth Lab Podcast! In this premiere solo episode, Luba shares the raw, real origin story of Kidology from driving her car to daycares as a solo mobile therapist to building a multi-location, Inc. 5000-recognized pediatric therapy empire.

This episode is about being the heartbeat of your clinic greeting clients, jumping in when someone calls out, noticing what others miss, and leading by example every single day.

In this episode, Luba shares:

• How she went from 6-12 kids a day in her car to opening her first tiny 2-room clinic
• The moment a mom said, "You don't just run this place you ARE this place"
• Why visibility isn't ego it's culture, trust, and growth
• The front desk situation that taught her to model solutions, not just policies
• How noticing a child's gait led to adding another service and deepening trust
• Why being community-facing drives referrals and loyalty
• The transition from founder to CEO without losing what made your brand powerful

"If you want your team to treat clients with warmth, consistency, and excellence they need to see YOU doing that."

Whether you're a solo practitioner, clinic owner, or entrepreneur building a service-based business, this episode will remind you: You are the brand. Your visibility builds trust. And trust builds growth.

Are you the face of your business? What would change if you showed up as the heartbeat, not just another team member?

Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast on Instagram & TikTok

Connect with Luba: Instagram: @thekidologyqueen LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lubapatlakh

Season 3 is here, subscribe now!

In the Season 2 finale of The Growth Lab Podcast, Luba sits down with Jennifer Esperante—the "Cha-Cha Queen" who has spent the last 24 years spreading hope, optimism, and empowerment as a wellness coach, business coach, keynote speaker, and author.

Jennifer's journey is extraordinary: Miss Sonoma County 1992, Miss San Francisco 1993, producer of pregame and halftime shows for the San Francisco 49ers and Jeep Eagle Aloha Bowl, psychology degree holder, and author of multiple books including Winning with the Right Attitude, Teen Power, and Chocolate for a Women's Spirit.

But beyond the accolades, Jennifer has built a global coaching practice teaching thousands of people around the world about nutrition, healthy habits, mindset mastery, and entrepreneurship. Her secret? The right attitude changes everything.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How Jennifer went from pageant queen to empowering entrepreneurs worldwide
• The mindset shifts that have sustained her 24-year coaching career
• Why attitude is the foundation of success in business and life
• How to build healthy habits that fuel long-term growth
• The power of optimism in entrepreneurship (even when things get hard)
• What it takes to stay grounded while empowering thousands

Whether you're building a business, coaching others, or simply trying to show up with the right energy every day, Jennifer's story will remind you that how you think shapes how you win.

This is the perfect way to close out Season 2—with hope, optimism, and a reminder that the right attitude can take you anywhere.

🎙️ Subscribe for Season 3 launching in January 2025!

Follow The Growth Lab: Instagram: @thegrowthlabpodcast TikTok: @thegrowthlabpodcast Website: linktr.ee/growthlabpodcast

Connect with Jennifer Esperante:

https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.esperante24/

https://www.instagram.com/24fitchick/?hl=en

In this deeply personal solo episode, Luba shares how gratitude became the secret weapon that transformed her business and her life.

From conducting interviews at Starbucks with no office, no team, and no roadmap to building Kidology Inc. into an Inc. 5000-recognized, multi-location pediatric therapy empire Luba reveals how shifting from survival mode to gratitude changed everything.

This isn't about toxic positivity or journaling rituals that don't work for busy moms. This is about tactical gratitude: the kind that builds trust in teams, retains great employees, attracts loyal clients, and keeps you grounded when entrepreneurship feels impossible.

In this episode, Luba shares:

• How gratitude in hard moments built her as a leader
• The voice note that changed everything for one team member
• Why she doesn't journal (and what she does instead)
• How prayer, conversation, and voice notes became her gratitude practice
• The mindset shift that turned difficult clients into growth opportunities
• Why gratitude is the engine that makes you unstoppable

"Gratitude doesn't erase struggle it transforms how you move through it."

Whether you're building a business, balancing motherhood, or navigating the messy middle of entrepreneurship, this episode will remind you that gratitude isn't just a feeling it's a strategy.

Share your gratitude list and tag us @thegrowthlabpodcast!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thegrowthlabpodcast

Connect with Luba:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubapatlakh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidologyqueen/

In this inspiring Season 2, Episode 8 of The Growth Lab Podcast, Luba Patlakh-Kaplun welcomes Cori Wamsley - award-winning author of the Soul Sisterhood series, CEO of Aurora Corialis Publishing, and writing coach dedicated to helping authors turn their stories into reality.

Cori has written 11 books filled with enchanting women's fiction, woven with themes of self-discovery, history, adventure, and falling in love. Her work has earned multiple prestigious awards, including The BookFest Award for excellence in fiction for Good in Theory (2025), and The Author Zone Awards for Braving the Shore (2023) and The Treasures We Seek (2024).

But Cori's story isn't just about writing books - it's about building a publishing company, coaching other writers, and balancing the creative side of authorship with the entrepreneurial demands of running a business. As CEO of Aurora Corialis Publishing, she helps authors navigate the publishing world while continuing to create her own magic on the page.

Join us for this conversation about the creative process, the challenges of self-publishing, what it takes to write 11 books while running a company, how to balance art and business, and why women's stories—especially stories of friendship, self-discovery, and resilience—matter now more than ever.

Whether you're an aspiring author, a creative entrepreneur, or simply someone who loves a beautifully crafted story, this episode will remind you that your passion can become your purpose—and your business.

CONNECT WITH CORI WAMSLEY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coriwamsley_author/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coriwamsleyauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cori.smithwamsley/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cori-wamsley/

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thegrowthlabpodcast

In this powerful Season 2, Episode 7 of The Growth Lab Podcast, Luba Patlakh-Kaplun welcomes Ruchi Pinniger - former Wall Street hedge fund CFO turned international speaker, venture capital investor, and Founder & CEO of Watch Her Prosper®, a financial mentorship and consulting firm dedicated to empowering women-led service-based businesses.

With nearly two decades of corporate finance experience, Ruchi brings a unique blend of Wall Street expertise and holistic financial guidance to help women entrepreneurs achieve true financial freedom. Under her leadership, Watch Her Prosper® has transformed the financial well-being of thousands of entrepreneurs by helping them uncover limiting beliefs about money, break free from guilt and shame surrounding wealth, and align personal and business goals for sustainable growth.

Recognized as one of the "Women Leading the Finance Industry," Ruchi has become a sought-after voice on financial leadership, spirituality in business, and conscious wealth creation. She has spoken at Princeton University, NYU, and Luminary, and serves as the Official Money Expert for Carla Hall's Sweet Heritage Magazine.

Join us for this transformative conversation about money mindset, shame-free wealth building, financial strategy for women entrepreneurs, and how to align your business with your values while achieving lasting profitability. Ruchi shares practical insights on bookkeeping, tax-time readiness, prosperity mindset coaching, and the financial beliefs that may be holding you back from the success you deserve.

Whether you're struggling with money shame, looking for expert financial guidance, or ready to break through to your next level of business growth, this episode offers the wisdom and tools you need to prosper—guilt-free.

Ruchi serves on the boards of Savvy Ladies and Beyond Bedtime, and was honored with the 2024 Entrepreneur Champions Award. She lives in New York City with her husband and teenage son.

Connect With Ruchi Pinniger: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchherprosper/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/watch-her-prosper Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WatchHerProsper/

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thegrowthlabpodcast