Private Practice Success Stories

What if you could build a private practice so strong, you could retire early—without letting go of the clients you love? Today's guest is a speech-language pathologist who turned decades of specialization into a thriving practice, a legacy plan, and a roadmap to hiking the Amalfi Coast while still staying connected to the field she's passionate about. I'm thrilled to introduce you to Maureen Neuki...

What if you could build a private practice that actually fits your life and not the other way around? Today's guest is an occupational therapist who intentionally built a solo practice around her family, and her community. And she's proving that you don't need a giant sensory gym or a million-dollar buildout to create a thriving practice. I'm thrilled to introduce you to Emily Vernon, an occupatio...

What if you could build a practice that fits your life, not the other way around? What if you could transition from feeling burnt out and lost in your career to becoming a thriving practice owner and mentor to others? Today’s guest did exactly that, starting her journey during one of the messiest seasons of her life. I’m thrilled to reintroduce you to Amanda Modrowski, a speech-language pathologis...

What if the salary ladder you’re climbing is actually the slowest route to the top? On today's episode of the Private Practice Success Stories podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on a topic that often feels off-limits: money. If you’re a school-based clinician—an SLP or OT who has done everything right, checked every box, and climbed every rung—this episode will challenge everything you thought...

What if the reasons you're not starting a private practice aren't reasons at all—they're lies? On today's episode of the Private Practice Success Stories podcast, I'm tackling the misconceptions that keep school-based clinicians stuck for years. If you're working in a school right now—if you've been thinking about private practice but haven't taken action—this episode will change how you see your...

What if the job you've been dreaming of already exists—you just have to build it yourself? Today's guest started her career wanting to work in hospitals with adults, but a perfect storm of timing and self-discovery led her somewhere entirely different. Now she's using her clinical skills to serve kids and families in a way that actually works—and I can't wait for you to hear her story! I’m thrille...

What if the next step in your career was simply saying "yes" to yourself? For many clinicians, the idea of starting a private practice feels like a "someday" dream. But for today’s guest, "someday" arrived a lot sooner than she expected — and it completely changed her career. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Kara Nelson, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, mom, and the founder of Sahuarita Sp...

What if your private practice could be a platform for change—for your clients and yourself? Today’s guest didn't just start a private practice; she built a mission-driven business that blends speech therapy with fierce advocacy. She traded burnout for autonomy and now uses her voice to empower families navigating the complex world of IEPs. I’m so excited to introduce you to Colleen Ashford, a spee...

What if your private practice could not only fill a critical gap in your community but also give you the freedom to design your ideal work week? Today’s guest turned a lifelong personal connection into a thriving practice that serves an often-overlooked population, and her journey from side hustle to clinic owner is packed with wisdom! I’m thrilled to introduce you to Grace Hedgecock, a pediatric...

What if building a thriving private practice meant creating a place where families feel seen, supported, and truly cared for—while also building a life where you can finally make it to your kids’ basketball games? Today’s guest grew a multi-location practice from the ground up, navigated immense challenges, and came out stronger on the other side. I’m introducing you to Christina Galeano, a Speech...

What if your previous career—completely unrelated to therapy—held the exact keys you needed to unlock a successful private practice? For Denise Smith, running an auto body shop taught her the administrative, financial, and client-relations skills that gave her the confidence to launch Speak Up Speech Therapy in Southern California. Denise is a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of expe...

What if the path you thought you were on could lead you somewhere completely unexpected—and completely fulfilling? That’s exactly what happened for San Juanita Reed, founder of Thriving Roots Speech Therapy in Houston, Texas. What started as a teaching career to children eventually blossomed into a thriving private practice, where San Juanita now serves children and adults with a wide range of spe...

What if you could build a private practice with your spouse, create flexibility for your family, and serve your community at the same time? That’s exactly what Morgan and Connor Randel have done with their private practice, Speak, Play, Love, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Morgan has been a speech-language pathologist for 8 years in which she had the privilege working with diverse infants, toddlers...

What if you could start building a private practice this January—without quitting your job or working 60-hour weeks? On today’s episode of the Private Practice Success Stories podcast, I want to start with an important truth: you don’t have to grow fast, go all in, or do it alone . Today, I’m walking you through what a simple, life-aligned private practice can actually look like, and why now is on...

What if private practice wasn’t about escaping burnout — but about creating stability, flexibility, and breathing room in an increasingly unpredictable world? This year, many clinicians felt the pressure. Workloads increased while pay stayed the same. Financial uncertainty lingered. And more people began asking a hard but honest question: Is this sustainable for the next one, two, or five years? I...

What if you could create a private practice that fits your lifestyle, allows you to work from anywhere, and gives you the freedom to serve families in a way that truly works? That’s exactly what Christina Burnham did when she founded CloudSpeech, a fully virtual teletherapy practice serving clients across multiple states. Christina is a bilingual speech-language pathologist who began her career in...

Have you ever wondered if your love for music and voice could turn into a thriving private practice? Today’s guest shows us it’s possible—and how to do it while keeping flexibility and control over your life. Joining me is Rachel Goldenberg, a speech-language pathologist, clinical voice specialist, and singing teacher based in Montclair, New Jersey. Rachel’s private practice, My Inspired Voice, co...

Have you ever wondered how starting your own private practice could bring vital services to families who need them most? Today’s guest proves that with determination, planning, and support, it’s not only possible—it can be life-changing for your community. Joining me is Alaina Verkinnes, a speech language pathologist and owner of Minnesota Speech Therapy Solutions in Princeton, Minnesota. Over the...

What if moving to a new town could be the perfect opportunity to start over—not just personally, but professionally? That’s exactly what Courtney Welch, founder of Champion Speech Therapy in North Port, Florida, did when she decided to take control of her career and open her own private practice. Courtney is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Champion Speech Therapy, she has been in the fi...

What if you could turn your business mindset into a meaningful career helping others? That’s exactly what Abigail Meza, founder of Shout It Out Speech Therapy in Chino Hills, California, did when she followed her curiosity and courage — into the world of speech-language pathology. Abigail didn’t take the traditional route to becoming an SLP as she got a bachelor's degree in business management and...

What if you could design a career that gave you flexibility for your family, fulfillment in your work, and the freedom to follow your passions? That’s exactly what Elyse Sheeler did when she created her private practice, Speaking Life: Speech Therapy and Wellness, in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Elyse is a speech-language pathologist who began her career in skilled nursing, inspired by her grandmoth...

What if you could stop feeling stretched thin and finally focus on the clients—and the kind of work—you love most? That’s exactly what Jackie Larsen-Robinson did when she launched her adult-focused private practice, Livewell Speech Therapy, in Provo, Utah. Jackie is a speech-language pathologist who started her career later in life—returning to school at nearly 40. Like many SLPs, she entered the...

What if you could create a private practice that truly works for you—one that honors your energy, values, and clients? That’s exactly what Bailey McBride, occupational therapist and founder of The Glimmer Project in Houston, Texas, has done. Bailey’s journey began long before she became an OT. As the sister of an adult with Down syndrome, she grew up around people with support needs and quickly de...

What if you could walk away from corporate pressure, create a career on your own terms, and finally feel like you’re making a real difference? That’s exactly what Meghan Powers did when she left the skilled nursing world and built her private practice, Gateway to the Rockies Speech Therapy, in Aurora, Colorado. Meghan is a speech-language pathologist who has spent her career helping adults. But, a...

What if the stress, burnout, and uncertainty you’re feeling right now are actually guiding you toward something better? That’s exactly what happened to Kansas Staffy, who went from feeling overwhelmed in her clinical job to running a thriving private practice, Talk and Taste Pediatric Therapy, in Delta and Montrose, Colorado. Kansas is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in AAC and feedi...