
It's Not Too Late: How a Veteran SLP Finally Started the Practice She'd Been Dreaming About with Angela Ruiz
What if the career you've been dreaming of has been waiting for you all along even after years of burnout and doubt? Today's guest is proof that it's never too late to start. Her journey began long before she officially launched her practice with a quiet but persistent vision of doing therapy differently.I'm excited to introduce you to Angela Ruiz, a speech-language pathologist and private practice owner whose journey into entrepreneurship was years in the making. She is the owner of Angela Ruiz SLP Services, PLLC in Houston, Texas.Long before she officially launched her practice, Angela had a vision of creating a space where care felt more personal, more connected, and truly centered around the individual. That vision was years in the making. Throughout her career, she found herself drawn to both pediatric and adult populations, with a special passion for neuro-based therapy and supporting individuals with Parkinson's through programs like LSVT LOUD. But more than any one specialty, what has shaped her path is her belief that therapy should feel human first — grounded in trust, relationships, and real-life impact.Over time, that vision evolved into a business that reflects not just her clinical expertise, but her values, intuition, and the way she believes care should be delivered.After nearly 20 years in the field, working in schools, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals, Angie knew something had to change. The productivity standards were suffocating. And deep down, she never forgot the dream she had back in grad school: owning her own practice. Her early exposure to the world of private practice, including following the work of Jena, helped plant the seed that this kind of career was possible.In this episode, Angela discusses how she finally broke free from burnout, why "going slow" helped her grow fast, and how she's building a practice that fills her cup instead of draining it.Outside of patient care, Angela is passionate about building a practice that allows her to show up fully — for her clients, their families, and herself — while creating meaningful, lasting change through connection-driven care.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How a dream she had in grad school planted the seed for private practice nearly two decades before she launchedRecovering from burnout and building something sustainable — on her own terms and her own scheduleThe exact weekly structure she uses to balance clients, admin, and a PRN gigHow "going slow doesn't mean you're not going" — and why that mindset has been the secret to her rapid successAngela is truly proof that it is never too late to build the career and life you've always wanted. Her story doesn't have to be the exception. You, too, can achieve that same level of freedom, fulfillment, and balance if you simply take the first step.Want to build a private practice that gives you back your time, your energy, and your joy—just like Angela did? Learn more about the Start Your Private Practice program, where clinicians like Angela got the tools, community, and confidence to move from clinician to CEO. Visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com to get started.Or, if you already have an existing private practice and you're ready to take it to the next level we'd love to support you inside the Next Level Private Practitioner. You can learn more at www.nextlevelprivatepractitioner.com.Whether you want to start from scratch or grow an existing practice, I can help you get the freedom, flexibility, fulfillment, and financial abundance you deserve. Visit www.independentclinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned:Follow Angie onFacebook: Angela Ruiz SLP Services, PLLCLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-ruiz-ms-ccc-slp-65a49660Check out her Website: angelaruizslp.comWhere We Can Connect:Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-practice-success-stories/id1374716199Follow Me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/independentclinician/Follow Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jena.castrocasbon/





