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 Speech Spot, a private practice serving families in a rural-suburban community in Southern Arizona, just 20 miles north of the Mexico border.

Kara specializes in gestalt language processing and neurodiversity-affirming therapy, supporting children from first words through early literacy. She has grown her practice beyond traditional speech therapy by adding reading tutoring, school contracts, and community partnerships, all while raising her family and figuring out how to scale a business without losing the heart of the work. She is a shining example of what happens when you combine clinical expertise with a leap of faith—and she’s been a joy to watch grow from the very first steps of her journey all the way to where she is now.

From working as a speech tech in the schools to building a thriving practice with a brick-and-mortar location and a growing team, Kara’s story proves that private practice isn’t just for the "type A" planners—it’s for anyone willing to go all in.

In this episode, Kara shares how she moved from feeling stuck in the school system to creating a practice that fits her life, her family, and her community.

Kara Nelson has been working in the schools since 2007, starting as a speech language technician before earning her master’s degree from Northern Arizona University. She spent over 15 years in educational settings before realizing she was ready for something different.

A self-described "all or nothing" person, Kara didn’t waffle when the idea of private practice took hold. She started small—mobile and part-time—while continuing to work in early intervention and the schools. But it wasn’t long before her caseload grew, and so did her vision.

Today, Kara runs a busy practice that offers both speech therapy and literacy support out of a permanent location. She’s learned to leverage technology, streamline her systems, and even bring on a team member. And through it all, she’s stayed grounded in her mission: helping kids communicate and connect.

1. How Kara transitioned from school-based work to private practice—and why she knew it was time
2. The value of starting mobile to build momentum without the overhead
3. The unexpected doors that opened—like renting space in a church
4. Her advice for clinicians who are nervous about taking the leap

Kara’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to have every detail figured out before you start. You just have to begin. Whether it’s gaining confidence to have parents in the room, posting on Facebook to find clients, or deciding to build walls in a leased space—each step builds on the last.

Her story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can create a practice that grows with you—if you’re willing to take the first step.

Want to build a private practice that fits your life—whether you’re type A, type B, or somewhere in between? The Start Your Private Practice Program can give you...

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 speech-language pathologist and one of the dedicated clinicians inside our Grow Your Private Practice Program. Colleen is the owner and founder of Ashford Speech and Advocacy PC, a mobile and virtual private practice based in Vista, California where she provides evaluations, treatment, consultations, and advocacy at IEP meetings.

For Colleen, starting her own practice was about more than flexibility and income—it was about authentic, values-driven work. She has created a unique model that allows her to serve early intervention clients and act as a special education advocate, ensuring families are supported at every step.

In this episode, Colleen reveals how leaving the constraints of clinic and school jobs allowed her to design a practice that fits her life, serves her community deeply, and lets her show up as her full, authentic self.

Colleen Ashford is a licensed speech-language pathologist and certified special education advocate. After graduating from the University of Illinois with her bachelor’s and Illinois State University with her master’s, she began her career in a public elementary school with a bilingual program, which fueled her focus on improving her Spanish to better serve her students and families. Love brought her to Southern California, where she worked in multidisciplinary clinics alongside OTs and PTs, learning invaluable lessons about sensory and motor development that inform her holistic approach today.

Now in her full-time practice, Colleen’s areas of focus include AAC, Autism, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, and parent coaching in early intervention. She is passionate about providing culturally responsive early intervention services to the Spanish-speaking population in her own neighborhood. Always an advocate at her core—and now in title—Colleen equips every parent she serves with knowledge of their educational rights and how to navigate the world of special education. Beyond her community, she brings honest conversations about the IEP process to listeners everywhere through her podcast, Unfiltered IEPs.

1. Leaving a "good job" to answer the craving for flexibility and authentic impact
2. The moment she realized her school-based experience was a superpower for families in need
3. Building a hybrid practice with multiple revenue streams, from early intervention to AAC coaching
4. How embracing systems gave her back her time and freedom

Colleen is a powerful example of how you can design a practice that aligns with your deepest values. We are so grateful to have her wisdom and passion in our Grow Program. Her journey proves that with the right tools and community, you can build a career that doesn’t just sustain you, but fulfills you.

Want to build or scale a private practice that fuels your passion and gives you the autonomy you crave—just like Colleen? Discover how our Grow Your Private Practice...

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 speech-language pathologist and the passionate owner of Hedgehog Speech Therapy in Saratoga in the Bay Area in California.

For Grace, private practice was more than a career goal—it was a calling rooted in family. Inspired by her autistic brother, Grace has spent her career specializing in autism, social communication, gestalt language processing, AAC, and supporting autistic teens and young adults with real-life skills in work, relationships, and identity. She is also passionate about literacy after discovering her own dyslexia as an adult.

By embracing flexibility and a client-centered approach, she has built a practice that supports her professional passions and personal well-being, proving you can build a business that fits your life, not the other way around. She serves families through evaluations, therapy, screenings, and neurodiversity-affirming parent coaching.

In this episode, Grace shares how her personal experience shaped her career path, the strategic steps she took to launch her practice, and how she structures her days to avoid burnout.

She is passionate to help children and families understand their unique mind, remove stigma, and grow in confidence. When she’s not in the clinic, Grace enjoys collaborating with her engineer husband on future tech ideas for the field and soaking up time with her dog.

1. The pivotal moment of leaping into full-time private practice, trusting her faith without a clear safety net
2. Strategically using preschool screenings to build trust with schools and generate referrals
3. Designing her ideal schedule to prevent burnout and serve both early intervention and older autistic clients

Grace’s story is a beautiful reminder that your unique experiences are your greatest asset in private practice. We are so inspired by her clarity and heart-centered approach.

Want to build a practice that aligns with your passions and gives you control over your time—just like Grace has? The Start Your Private Practice Program can give you the tools and step-by-step guidance to get started. Learn more at 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.

Follow Grace on Instagram: instagram.com/hedgehogspeech/

Check out her website: hedgehogspeech.com

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-Language Pathologist and the inspiring founder and CEO of Kidspeak Speech-Language Therapy Services Inc, a growing pediatric private practice known for its child-centered approach, strong clinical excellence, and a team culture that therapists rarely want to leave, serving families across Southern California.

Christina’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, “failing forward,” and building with heart. She started her practice in 2020, just days before the world shut down, with a laptop, a home office space, and a wildly unrealistic idea of how many things one person can accomplish in a day. And has since grown to multiple locations while navigating personal and professional storms.

In this episode, Christina gets incredibly honest about the realities of scaling a practice—from hiring hurdles and billing leaks to legal challenges—and shares the exact systems and mindset shifts that helped her reclaim her time, her sanity, and her vision for the future.

Christina Galeano is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who holds a Master’s degree in Communicative Disorders. She is passionate about early intervention and is dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive experience for every family who walks through her doors.

She is committed to changing the private practice narrative from “burnout and survival mode” to “sustainable, profitable, and deeply meaningful.” Her mission is to prove that a therapy business can be both clinically excellent and a place where families feel supported and clinicians feel energized.

Outside of patient care, Christina focuses on mentoring her amazing all-female team and fostering a positive, connected company culture. In her free time, she loves being present for her three kids and their activities.

1. The pivotal moment she realized she needed to build a business bigger than herself
2. The hard business lessons—from uncashed claims to lawsuits—that shaped her growth
3. How implementing simple “money metrics” transformed her practice from surviving to strategically thriving

Christina’s story is proof that with passion, perseverance, and the right support, you can build a practice that aligns with your deepest values and grants you the freedom you crave. Her story does not have to be the exception; you, too, can navigate the challenges and create a business that serves your life.

Want to build systems that free you from working in your business so you can work on it—just like Christina has? Learn more about our Grow Your Private Practice Program, that’s where she found the community and coaching to navigate hiring, metrics, and scaling with clarity. To learn more, please visit www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.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

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 experience whose journey to private practice was anything but linear. Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, she discovered the field almost by accident when university programs reopened after war. What began as a curious joke with friends became a lifelong calling after she moved to the United States.

Denise is also the co-host of the Heal Yourself Podcast, where she and her co-host lead powerful conversations on self-healing, emotional mastery, and elevating your relationship with yourself from the inside out.

After years as a school-based SLP, Denise never saw herself as a business owner. But a pivotal stint managing her then-husband’s auto shop—handling scheduling, insurance claims, invoices, and client complaints—became her unexpected training ground. She looked in the mirror and realized, “Why am I not doing this for me?”

Her turning point came on a walk past a neighbor’s house—a neighbor who happened to be a special education coordinator. Denise asked how to get on the list for Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs). That simple question started a domino effect: her first contract led to school referrals, which gave her the foundation to build a practice intentionally designed around her life, not the other way around.

With a focus on school contracts, IEEs, and private clients, Denise has created what she calls a “lifestyle practice.” It’s a model built on freedom and flexibility, allowing her to heal her nervous system, prioritize her daughter’s competitive dance schedule, and travel—all while serving a population she loves.

1. How running an auto shop gave her the unexpected confidence to start her own practice
2. Why she ditched perfection and chose progress with purpose
3. What it’s like to build a mobile, flexible “lifestyle” practice while navigating divorce and deep personal healing
4. How she makes income from school contracts, private pay clients, and independent evaluations — without burning out

Denise’s story is a powerful reminder that your path to private practice doesn’t have to look traditional. By trusting her unique journey and leveraging all of her experiences, she designed a business that supports her life, family, and well-being first.

Ready to explore what a lifestyle practice could look like for you? Whether you’re just starting to consider private practice or looking to grow an existing one, the right guidance can help you build the freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment you deserve — just like Denise has. The Grow Your Private Practice Program gives you the coaching and guidance to scale your private practice. Learn more at www.GrowYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to Start or Grow a private practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance that you deserve. Visit

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 speech therapy needs.

San Juanita’s journey into speech-language pathology began in the classroom. She spent years teaching preschool and working with infants and toddlers, but she often found herself wondering how she could do more to help her students. A chance encounter with a speech-language pathologist opened her eyes to a new path—one that combined her love of working with children with the desire to make a deeper impact on their lives. After navigating personal tragedy and taking a detour to care for herself, she pursued a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and began her career in outpatient therapy and home health.

Over time, San Juanita realized that while she loved helping children and families, traditional employment was limiting her growth and contributing to burnout. She began exploring private practice, and with guidance from the Start Your Private Practice Program, she discovered she could create a business that aligned with her skills, values, and life goals.

When San Juanita officially launched Thriving Roots Speech Therapy, she approached it with the same careful planning she applies in therapy. She set clear monthly goals, broke them down into actionable steps, and dedicated time to focus on building her practice without distractions. Her first patient inquiries came in on launch day—a perfect reminder that preparation and persistence pay off.

1. The moment she knew burnout wasn’t just fatigue — it was a sign to pursue private practice
2. How she broke her big goals into tiny steps to make them achievable
3. What happened the day her first patient inquiry came in after launching
4. How she finally reclaimed joy, purpose, and ownership by being in full control of her practice and her life

San Juanita’s story shows that starting a private practice doesn’t require prior business experience or big-city connections—it requires courage, planning, and a willingness to take small, consistent steps. By leading with her heart and putting education and value first, she built a thriving practice that aligns with her purpose and allows her to maintain balance and boundaries.

Ready to take control of your career and create your own private practice? The Start Your Private Practice Program gives you the roadmap, resources, and support to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow, it’s possible to build a practice that gives you freedom, fulfillment, and the ability to make a real difference—just like San Juanita. Visit www.IndependentClinician.com to learn more.

Follow San Juanita on Instagram:

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, and school age children. Her passion for working with kids started when she was just 12, babysitting and dreaming of a career helping children. After exploring teaching and nursing, she discovered speech pathology in college—a perfect blend of her interests. Connor, her husband, brought a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit and a background in finance and accounting. Together, they realized they could combine their skills to create something truly unique.

After moving to Charlotte and navigating the challenges of finding her first job as a new graduate, Morgan started working as an independent contractor. She began to see firsthand the possibilities of private practice. When Morgan became pregnant with their first child, she and Connor decided it was the perfect time to take the leap—launching Speak, Play, Love while growing their family.

Starting small, Morgan began seeing 5–10 clients a week, primarily through existing relationships with local daycares. By the time they had their second child, their practice had grown to 18 clients and 26 weekly sessions. Connor stepped in to manage the business side—billing, onboarding, and growth strategy—allowing Morgan to focus on therapy and client care.

Over the next several months, Morgan and Connor continued to hire therapists, expand services, and grow their caseload. By creating a mobile-based practice, they kept overhead low, maximized their reach across Charlotte, and made therapy accessible to families who might otherwise face barriers to care.

Morgan and Connor’s story highlights the power of partnership. Morgan leads in therapy and client care, while Connor manages the business operations and growth. Their complementary skills, mutual trust, and shared vision allow them to operate a practice that works for their family, serves the community, and supports other therapists in their professional growth.

• Transitioning from traditional employment to private practice while starting a family
• Building a mobile-based practice to serve the community efficiently
• Partnering with a spouse to balance business growth and personal life
• Hiring and onboarding therapists to scale services without sacrificing quality
• Creating systems that allow for flexibility, sustainability, and growth

Morgan and Connor’s journey is a reminder that private practice is more than just a job—it’s about designing a life. By combining their strengths, embracing the challenges, and thinking creatively about their model, they’ve built a thriving practice that supports their family, their clients, and their therapists.

If you’re ready to create a private practice that works for you and your family—whether solo or with a partner—the Start Your Private Practice Program can give you the tools and step-by-step guidance to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to start a practice, grow an existing one, or explore unique practice models, Morgan and Connor’s story shows that with vision, support, and...

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 one of the smartest times to take your first step. If you’re a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist and feel overwhelmed by what you think private practice is supposed to look like, this episode is for you.

Plus, I’ll tell you about something brand new starting next week: the Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp—our free 3-day event designed to help you go from curious to confident about whether private practice is right for you in 2026 and beyond.

• What a simple, life-aligned private practice can actually look like
• Why right now is a really smart time to take your first step
• Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp

Starting small with one client, virtual sessions, or weekend hours isn't a compromise—it's a brilliant strategy. It creates financial breathing room, professional confidence, and a clear path forward on your terms.

If you've been waiting for a sign to explore private practice without pressure, this is it.

Ready to take your first step with clarity? Join me for the free Plan Your Private Practice Bootcamp. In just three days, you'll go from curious to confident with a real plan. Register now at PlanYourPrivatePractice.com.

Whether you want to Start or Grow 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.

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

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