Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a childhood interest in business into a flourishing speech pathology practice? Growing up, I was more fascinated by the hustle of helping my parents with their business in Vietnam than by any school lesson. This early experience sparked a love for entrepreneurship that eventually led me to start Speakable Speech Pathology in 2014 in Sydney, Australia.
Over the past decade or so, I’ve picked up a few key lessons that have not only shaped how I approach my profession but have also deeply enriched my personal life.
Here are 8 big takeaways from my journey:
1. Relationships are everything
At our practice, it’s all about more than just the usual appointments; it’s about building real, meaningful connections. We treat everyone who walks through our door like family. This friendly vibe helps everyone feel included and supported, not just during sessions but as part of our bigger family circle. It’s cool to see how this turns our clients into friends who really get involved and feel connected to what we do at Speakable.
2. Stay flexible
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we quickly adapted by transitioning to telehealth services. This not only kept our practice running but also demonstrated our commitment to our clients’ progress and well-being under any circumstances. Flexibility in therapy approaches, like incorporating more digital tools or adjusting strategies based on client feedback, has also been crucial.
3. Never stop learning
My team and I personally take courses annually on the latest developments in speech & language pathology which has tremendously enhanced the therapy sessions we offer. Staying updated through continual education ensures that we are equipped with the most effective and innovative therapy techniques.
4. Set boundaries for a healthy work-life balance
Learning to set boundaries early on was essential. For example, I make it a point to not schedule clients after 6 PM so that I can have evenings with my friends, family and other hobbies. This helps maintain a sustainable work-life balance and prevents burnout.
5. Broaden your horizons
We diversified our services by introducing group therapy sessions and workshops for parents on how to support speech development at home. This not only helped stabilize our revenue streams but also catered to a broader segment of our community, enhancing our practice’s impact.
6. Get involved locally
Participating in local health fairs and school events has significantly boosted our practice’s visibility and reputation. By offering free screenings and workshops, we’ve been able to demonstrate our commitment to community wellness and draw in new clients who are looking for trusted local services.
7. Embrace technology
Investing in an integrated practice management software revolutionized how we handle appointments, billing, and client records. This technology has not only streamlined administrative tasks but also improved client satisfaction through smoother processes.
8. Feedback is gold
We regularly collect feedback through surveys at the end of each therapy cycle. This has been instrumental in fine-tuning our services. Celebrating positive feedback and addressing constructive criticism transparently has helped foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Running a speech pathology business is so much more than a day job—it’s a never-ending adventure of growth and discovery. These 8 lessons we’ve shared are just the beginning. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities that push us to learn more, do better, and think bigger. I’m really pumped to see where these insights will lead us and how they’ll help us make an even bigger impact.
What kind of business are you running or thinking of starting? How do you see it evolving? Let’s inspire each other with our stories and ambitions!
Binh
Binh Doan 