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Private Practice Success Stories

Private Practice Success Stories

Hosted by Jena Castro-Casbon

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Episodes

300

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

My name is Jena Castro-Casbon, MS CCC-SLP (of The Independent Clinician and The Private Practice Solution). I am part of a group of private practitioners who have taken client care into our own hands. We are skilled clinicians who pride ourselves on providing high-quality care to our clients and their families. We are fighting against productivity requirements, administrative red tape and unnecessary restrictions. We started our own private practices to take control of our professional and personal lives. Of our schedules. Of our incomes. Of our future. We work hard for our clients but on our terms. We believe in helping others – but also helping ourselves. We’re not interested in competing with each other. We hope that we all make it. We are successful private practitioners and these are our stories. Thank you for taking the time to listen to this interview.

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 10, 202633 min

She Didn't Hate Her Job BUT She Left to Start a Private Practice Anyway with Heather Danielkiewicz

What if you could trade the burnout of the school system for a flexible schedule, a slower pace, and time to actually enjoy your work? Today's guest did exactly that and her story is proof that it's never too late to design a career that truly fits you.I'm so excited to introduce you to Heather Danielkiewicz, a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Momma D. SLP, based in Plainwell, Michigan. Heather is also a member of our Next Level program, and let me tell you, her energy, her heart, and her clinical expertise are absolutely inspiring.After nearly two decades in the schools, Heather knew she needed a change. She was burning out, craving flexibility, and longing for space to breathe. Switching to private practice not as a full-time leap, but as a gradual, intentional shift has given her exactly that. Today, she works part-time in the schools and runs her own practice across the street from her home, with a schedule that actually allows her to think, create, and serve her clients the way she's always wanted to.In this episode, Heather shares how she got her start in speech pathology, how one moment literally shined for her as a sign, and why she finally took the leap into private practice.Heather has been an SLP for 24 years, with the majority of her career spent in school-based roles supporting preschool through elementary students. During that time, she developed a deep interest in the connection between oral language and literacy skills and received additional training to support language, writing, and reading development within her SLP role. Her experience also spans inpatient rehabilitation, private practice, and supervising graduate students for several summers at Western Michigan University. She is passionate about collaborative, relationship-centered care, and she is building an integrated private practice focused on meaningful communication and literacy outcomes for children and families.Outside of patient care, Heather is a proud mom who understands firsthand the importance of work-life balance and she's committed to mentoring the next generation of SLPs along the way.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How a chance encounter with a graduate student and a book changed the trajectory of her careerThe power of investing in yourself and your business, even when it feels scaryHow she’s intentionally shrinking her life to create more white space, flexibility, and joy while still serving kids with DLD, autism, and ADHD in a deeply meaningful wayHeather's story is such a beautiful reminder that you don't have to have it all figured out to start. You don't have to leave your full-time job overnight. You just have to take one small step and keep listening to what feels right for you and your nervous system.If you're ready to stop waiting and start building a practice that's truly aligned with your goals, Private Practice School is here to help. We start with a Personalized Private Practice Plan and then give you the tools, such as the Life First calendar and our Numbers Made Simple Calculators, and me in your corner every week, whether you're opening the doors or growing what you've already built.Please visit www.PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more, and follow me on Instagram @independentclinician for more tips, inspiration, and resources to support your private practice journey.Resources Mentioned:Follow Heather on Instagram: instagram.com/mommadslp/Check out her website: mommadslp.clientsecure.meWhere 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/

August 3, 202639 min

She Needed Mondays and Fridays Off — So She Built a Practice That Gave Her Both with Megan Jimeno

What if the worst career news you've ever received turned out to be the push you needed to build the career you actually deserve? Today's guest took an unexpected layoff right before the holidays and turned it into the flexible, fulfilling private practice she never knew she wanted. I can't wait for you to hear her story!I'm thrilled to introduce you to Megan Jimeno, a seasoned Speech-Language Pathologist with 23 years of clinical expertise spanning both adult and pediatric populations. She is the owner and founder of Winsome Speech, a mobile private practice based in Spokane, Washington.Megan's journey hasn't been a straight line. She started in inpatient rehab and skilled nursing, where she fell in love with giving a voice to those often lost in the system—but she hated the productivity demands and the "machine" of Medicare. She eventually switched to pediatrics and spent nine years at a small clinic, building deep relationships with families and even creating an in-school program that served kids during the school day.Then, just two weeks before Christmas in 2025, everything changed. She received an email letting her know the clinic was closing its doors by February. With a daughter at home, a father-in-law to care for, and a caseload of kids she didn't want to abandon, Megan had a choice: find another employer who would fit her strict schedule, or bet on herself and start her own practice.In March of 2026, after the unexpected closure of the clinic she had been with for 9 years, she took a leap of faith to launch her own mobile practice, bringing specialized therapy directly to children in homes, private schools, and daycares.In this episode, Megan discusses how she navigated the terrifying leap into business ownership even though she'll be the first to tell you she is no expert in business and is figuring it out as she goes.Outside of patient care, Megan is a mom, a caretaker, and an advocate for believing in yourself, even when the path feels impossible.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:What to do when you’re forced into private practice and have no time to overthink itThe power of staying mobile and using a “cloffice” to keep expenses lowHow she strategically balances private pay and insurance-based clients while protecting her flexibilityMegan is truly proof that you don't need to have a decade-long dream or a business background to build a successful practice. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath, look at what you've created, and say: "Wow. This is mine. I did that."If you're ready to stop waiting and start building a practice that's truly aligned with your goals, Private Practice School is here to help. We start with a Personalized Private Practice Plan and then give you the tools, such as the Life First calendar and our Numbers Made Simple Calculators, and me in your corner every week, whether you're opening the doors or growing what you've already built.Please visit www.PrivatePracticeSchool.com to learn more, and follow me on Instagram @independentclinician for more tips, inspiration, and resources to support your private practice journey.Resources Mentioned:Follow Megan on:Facebook: facebook.com/share/1DnHTeFwjc/Instagram: instagram.com/winsomespeech/Check out her website: winsomespeech.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/

July 27, 202649 min

From Ready to Sell to Thriving Again: Building a Practice Through Injury with Karissa Gussmann

What if your biggest setback became your greatest catalyst for growth? Today's guest turned a traumatic brain injury into a turning point that transformed her private practice and her life. I'm so excited to share her story with you!I'm introducing you to Karissa Gussmann, a certified Speech-Language Pathologist and the founder of Speech Pathways of St. Johns, a private speech and occupational therapy clinic serving Jacksonville and St. Johns, Florida.Since becoming an SLP in 2011, Karissa has dedicated her career to helping children, teens, adults, and families discover the power of communication. With a background in psychology and speech-language pathology, she blends evidence-based practices with a holistic, family-centered approach that focuses on the whole person, not just a diagnosis. Karissa specializes in supporting individuals with complex communication needs, including autism, apraxia, AAC, developmental delays, speech and language disorders, fluency disorders, and neurological conditions. She believes that communication is so much more than words; it is connection, confidence, independence, and the ability to share who you are with the world.After working across medical, educational, and private practice settings in both New Jersey and Florida, Karissa founded Speech Pathways with the vision of creating a place where families feel supported, children feel celebrated, and therapy is individualized to each person’s unique pathway.She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Monmouth University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University. She is a proud member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and is licensed in Florida and New Jersey.Today, Karissa is still treating, has an incredible clinical director, is converting team members to W-2 employees, and is finally understanding her numbers through KPIs. Her journey is proof that private practice is not for the weak but for those who believe in their purpose, it's absolutely worth it.Outside of being an SLP and business owner, Karissa’s favorite roles are being a wife and mom to her two boys. Her mission, both professionally and personally, is helping others recognize their strengths, find their voice, and “kiss your brain” along the way.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How a parent's offhand comment started it allGrowing a clinic one room at a time, on purposeBuilding through a TBI, nearly losing it all, and finding a reason to keep goingWhat happened when she realized she couldn't be her own clinical directorWhy community has been the secret ingredient behind everything she's builtKarissa is truly living proof that even when the world stops, you can keep going. She didn't have a vision for a big practice, she just had a heart for the mission. And that was enough to build something extraordinary.Her story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can build the private practice of your dreams even when life throws you curveballs.Want to build your private practice to the point where YOU can weather any storm and thrive just like Karissa has? Learn more about our Start Your Private Practice where our coaches can help you set up systems as you shift from clinician to CEO. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.comOr, 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 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.Resources Mentioned:Follow Karissa on Instagram: instagram.com/speechpathways_stjohns/ Facebook: facebook.com/SpeechPathwaysofStJohns/ Check out her website: SpeechPathwayssj.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/

July 20, 202626 min

From Travel Therapy to Two-and-a-Half Days a Week: How Carly Built a Practice Around Her Life with Carly Kloack

What if you could build a private practice that fits your life and not the other way around? Today’s guest is using her private practice to see medically complex clients of all ages on her own terms. And her story might just be the push you’ve been waiting for.I’m excited to introduce you to Carly Kloack, a speech-language pathologist and the owner and founder of Climbing Mountains Therapies in Denver, Colorado.Carly has specialized interests and experience in medically complex therapeutic services for feeding, swallowing, neurodevelopment, speech, language, and cognitive-communication. She has worked with a comprehensive age range including infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.After years of moving across the country every few months as a travel therapist during the pandemic, Carly knew she wanted two things: variety and flexibility. She loved working with both adults and pediatrics, from acute care to infant feeding. But she didn’t love the lack of control over her own schedule.So she started her private practice — on the side, with word-of-mouth referrals, and a whole lot of courage.In this episode, Carly discusses how she started her practice without quitting her day job, why she’s doubling down on a niche, and why her biggest piece of advice is simply: just do it.Outside of patient care, Carly loves the variety that comes with her schedule and is grateful to her patient’s mom, a website designer who helped build her practice’s website. In her free time, she enjoys being back in Colorado, close to family and the mountains she grew up loving.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How travel therapy prepared her to think creatively about her careerThe power of saying “yes” when referrals come from unexpected placesWhy she chose to build a part-time practice that works with her hospital job, not instead of itHow she’s building a referral network in Denver where SLPs send each other the clients they’re not the best fit forCarly is truly proof that you don’t have to quit your job, go all in overnight, or have a decade of business experience to start. She took it step by step, kept the variety she loved, and built a practice that actually fits her life and not the other way around.Her story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can achieve the career of your dreams if you simply start taking steps to get there.Want to build your private practice to the point where YOU control your schedule just like Carly has? Learn more about our Start Your Private Practice Program, where Carly got the legal and logistical guidance she needed to set up her practice the right way. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.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 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.Resources Mentioned:Follow Carly onInstagram: instagram.com/climbingmountainstherapiesllc/Facebook: Climbing Mountains Therapies LLCCheck out her website: climbingmountainstherapies.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/

July 13, 202644 min

From Burnout to Partnership: How Two SLPs Built an Adult Private Practice After Leaving the Hospital System with Jane Hohman and Josie Friedman

What if you could build a private practice that actually fights burnout instead of causing it? Today’s guests are doing just that, and they're serving adults in the process.I'm thrilled to introduce you to Jane Hohman and Josie Friedman, two speech-language pathologists and co-owners of Comprehensive Communication Partners, PLLC, based in the Chicagoland area.Switching from hospital systems to private practice was the key that unlocked not just better care for their patients, but also better lives for themselves. Jane and Josie now see clients in their homes, in a shared clinic space, and via teletherapy — all while staying energized, engaged, and excited about their work.In this episode, Jane and Josie discuss how they transitioned from burnout to balance, built a partnership that actually works, and created an adult-focused practice that serves clients with neurologic conditions long after the hospital would have discharged them.Josie Friedman earned her Bachelor's degree from Indiana University and her Master's degree from Rush University. She has experience across outpatient, inpatient, and day rehabilitation settings, with special clinical interests in swallowing disorders, aphasia, and cognitive-communication impairments. Josie especially enjoys leading group therapy sessions and support groups for individuals with aphasia, cognitive-communication disorders, and social-communication challenges. Outside of work, she loves exploring Chicago's restaurant scene, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.Jane Hohman earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master's degree from Northwestern University. Her experience spans skilled nursing, outpatient, inpatient, and day rehabilitation. Jane has a strong clinical interest in evidence-based interventions for aphasia and cognitive-communication disorders, with particular enthusiasm for supporting higher-level executive functioning skills to help clients return to work or school successfully. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes and spending time with family and friends.Together, they are passionate about working with the adult neurogenic population and providing functional, personalized therapy that meets clients where they actually live — whether that means working on cognition in someone's kitchen, running a Parkinson's group in their subleased clinic space, or leading an aphasia support group.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How to know when it’s time to leave a “dream job” that’s burning you outThe power of a partnership—and how to divide and conquer based on your strengthsWhy saying “yes” to everything in the beginning (networking, patients, opportunities) pays off big laterJane and Josie are truly living proof that private practice doesn't have to mean pediatrics, and it doesn't have to mean going it alone. Their story does not have to be the exception. If two full-time clinicians can start a business over dinner, work nights and weekends while staying employed, and slowly build a practice that gives them freedom and fulfillment, so can you.Want to build a private practice that lets you serve adults on your own terms just like Jane and Josie did? Learn more about our Start Your Private Practice Program. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.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 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.Resources Mentioned:Follow Jane and Josie onInstagram: instagram.com/compcommpartners/Facebook: facebook.com/compcommpartnersLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/comprehensive-communication-partners-pllc/Check out their website: compcommpartners.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/

July 6, 202634 min

From House-to-House to Three Locations (Working Just Three Days a Week) with Heidi Miller

What if you could choose exactly which days you work, which clients you see, and even when you’re home for your kids after school? Today’s guest did exactly that.I’m thrilled to introduce you to Heidi Miller, a speech-language pathologist and the founder of HMS & Associates in New Jersey. Heidi has built a boutique, multi-location private practice known for its highly specialized, relationship-driven care with clinics in Florham Park, Park Ridge, and most recently Oakland.But here’s what makes her story so different: She didn’t start with a grand vision of multiple clinics. She started with a clear vision of three days a week.With over 25 years of experience, Heidi has worked across a range of clinical settings before opening her first in-person clinic 15 years ago. Today, her practice focuses on pediatric feeding disorders, ARFID, apraxia, and myofunctional therapy with an emphasis on advanced, evidence-based treatment and individualized care. She remains closely involved in mentoring her team and shaping the clinical standards across all three locations, ensuring a consistently high level of care.Outside of patient care, Heidi is passionate about building a private practice model that blends clinical excellence with strong family partnerships — creating a trusted, referral-based brand where children, families, and clinicians can truly thrive. She also creates continuing education courses for other therapists and is a mom to three kids.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:How she slowly and systematically built a niche practice around her actual passionsWhy saying "no" to clients outside your specialty actually grows your reputation fasterHow she opened a second location not by throwing a dart at a map, but by following one family’s needThe simple way she retains therapists for years letting them reset their schedules every summer and school yearHeidi’s story is proof that you don’t have to choose between being a present parent and a successful practice owner. She didn’t throw a dart at a map. She followed the need, trusted her skills, and built a practice that fits her life — not someone else’s idea of success.Want to build a private practice that gives you freedom without burning out? Learn more about our Start Your Private Practice Program, where Heidi got the step-by-step guidance she needed to go from employee to business owner. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.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 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.Resources Mentioned:Follow Heidi onInstagram: instagram.com/heidimillerspeechandassociates/TikTok: tiktok.com/@hmsspeechandfeedingFacebook: HMS & Associates, LLCCheck out her website: heidimillerspeech.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/

June 29, 202637 min

The Insurance Nightmare That Built a $2 Million Practice with Rebecca Ingram Rowe and Sarah Morris

What if insurance billing didn’t keep you up at night? What if you had a billing partner who actually taught you the process – instead of just sending claims into a black box? Today’s guests are here to show you exactly how that works, and I’m so excited for you to hear their story.I’m introducing you to Rebecca Ingram Rowe and Sarah Morris. Rebecca has been a Speech Language Pathologist for 16 years and has owned her private practice, ACT Therapy Services, for ten years. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, ACT provides neurodiversity-affirming speech and occupational therapy to pediatric clients. Sarah is Rebecca’s co-CEO and the billing mastermind behind the scenes.Together, they’ve grown ACT to $2 million in revenue – with over 20 employees across three North Carolina locations providing neurodiversity affirming speech or occupational therapy.In this episode, Rebecca and Sarah discuss how going slow with insurance, staying transparent with families, and knowing when to hire a biller can save your sanity.Rebecca started ACT after the birth of her first child, seeing kids in homes and daycares. Rebecca has a passion for teaching other owners and practices how to negotiate with insurance plans, how to effectively bill insurance and stay profitable and set up business systems. Rebecca hosts online courses at RRTherapyConsulting.com and offers individual business coaching. She and her business partner, Sarah, recently launched ACTivated Practice Solutions where they are offering a "done for you" billing and credentialing services for other pediatric rehabilitation private practices.Sarah Morris comes from a medical billing background in emergency services, where she handled insurance for Mecklenburg EMS Agency for over six years. She now manages all billing for ACT Therapy Services – from front end to back end – and brings that same expertise to ACTivated Practice Solutions.Outside of work, they both love barbecue lunch meetings and helping therapists succeed.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Why going slow with insurance contracts is actually the fastest path to successThe exact moment you should hire a billerHow Rebecca and Sarah’s unique owner-biller partnership brings transparency, education, and peace of mind to clinicians who are terrified of billingRebecca and Sarah are truly living proof that you don’t have to do it all alone. Rebecca still remembers the mom who called her “incompetent about billing” years ago – and that painful moment is exactly what drove her to build a better way. Their story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can master insurance billing (or find someone who can) if you simply start taking steps to get there.Want to stop guessing and start building a private practice just like Rebecca did? You don't have to figure it out alone. The Start Your Private Practice gives you the foundation you need. To learn more, please visit www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.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 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.Resources Mentioned:Follow Rebecca and Sarah on Instagram: instagram.com/rrtherapyconsulting/ & instagram.com/activatedpracticesolutions/Check out their website: RRTherapyConsulting.com & activatedpracticesolutions.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/

June 22, 202624 min

You Don't Have to Quit to Start: An SLP's Part-Time Path to Private Practice with Anaya Ruiz

For so many clinicians, the dream of starting a private practice feels like something you do “one day.” But what if that day could be today – without quitting your job, without burning out, and without turning your life upside down?Today’s guest is Anaya Ruiz, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and the founder of Wonder Wings Pediatric Therapy, LLC in Central Florida. After working in schools and clinical settings, Anaya realized she wanted more freedom, flexibility, and the ability to design a practice that truly puts children and families first. That led her to take the leap into private practice – a journey full of challenges, growth, and rewards. Today, she helps children in her community develop communication skills through family-focused and child-led therapy, while building a practice that reflects her values.And here’s the best part: Anaya didn’t quit her day job to make it happen. She’s currently splitting her time between working part-time in the schools and growing her private practice. From the time she joined the Start Your Private Practice program to the day she officially launched, over two years passed. Life happened (a pregnancy, a new house, you name it). But Anaya kept the dream alive, and now she’s on the verge of going full-time in her practice.Anaya holds specialized strengths in literacy from her graduate coursework and works with children from birth to 18 on articulation, phonology, and language. She describes her approach as “generalist” – but make no mistake, her impact is anything but general.Outside of patient care, Anaya is building her practice with an eye toward the future: adding OT services, hiring another SLP, and eventually opening a brick-and-mortar location. In her free time, she enjoys spending afternoons with her daughter, running her business alongside her husband (who helps with the accounting!), and yes – going to Target in the middle of the day.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:What it really looks like to build a practice when you're not ready to make a dramatic leapHow she went from "just going through the motions" to waking up excited about her work again.Anaya is truly living proof that you don’t have to choose between stability and freedom. She started slow, trusted the process, and is now building a practice that fits her life – not the other way around. Her story does not have to be the exception. You, too, can achieve the career of your dreams if you simply start taking steps to get there.Want to build your private practice to the point where you can go part-time – or even full-time – on your own terms? Learn more about our Start Your Private Practice Program, where Anaya got the step-by-step guidance she needed to go from employee to business owner. To learn more, please visit www.startyourprivatepractice.com.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 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.Resources Mentioned:Follow Anaya on Instagram: instagram.com/wonderwingsllc/ & instagram.com/anayamarieslp/Check out her website: wonderwingsllc.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/

June 15, 202633 min

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/

June 8, 202632 min

Start Small, Grow Smart: How a Maternity Leave Side Project Became a Multi-Provider Therapy Hub with Jacklin Bloodgood

What if you could build a practice that serves not just kids, but their parents too—all under one roof? Today’s guest launched her business during maternity leave, and now she owns a multidisciplinary clinic, supports other therapists, and even created a virtual parenting library. I can’t wait for you to hear her story.I’m thrilled to introduce you to Jacklin Bloodgood, a speech-language pathologist, business owner, and one of the amazing students of the Start Your Private Practice program. Jacklin is a Jersey Shore native based in Manahawkin, New Jersey, and she is the owner and founder of Just Speechie LLC and The Therapy Hub LLC.What started as a way to spend more time with her newborn daughter has turned into so much more. Today, Jacklin runs a growing practice with multiple revenue streams: in-home therapy, school contracts, a shared clinic space, and now a virtual video library for parents. She proves that you don’t need a business degree or a 5-year plan, you just need to take the next small step.Jacklin Bloodgood earned her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology, as well as her undergraduate degree in K-12 and Special Education, from Seton Hall University. She is passionate about treating communication and feeding disorders in children and adults, and she brings that same dedication to mentoring other clinicians.In 2025, Jacklin opened The Therapy Hub, a multidisciplinary clinic that takes a whole-family approach by including child-centric and adult services under one comprehensive roof. From speech, occupational, and physical therapy to mental health support, lactation, nutrition, and more, The Therapy Hub brings together trusted, independent providers who share a common goal: supporting your family as a whole. Each provider operates within their own specialty while collaborating to create a more connected, seamless experience — so families don’t have to navigate it alone.Then in 2026, these businesses came together to curate The Little Years Library by The Therapy Hub. It is an exclusive video library that brings expert guidance into your home, created by five different pediatric experts in disciplines ranging from speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and infant feeding therapy/lactation consulting—so parents can move through each stage with more ease and confidence.Outside of work, Jacklin enjoys spending time with her husband, her two children, and her two dogs. She especially loves being outside at the beach or park—living the Jersey Shore life she grew up loving.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:Starting her practice during maternity leave so she could be home with her daughterThe simple math that made her realize private practice was actually more time at home and more incomeHow she "accidentally" signed her first school contract — and turned it into her first hireHow she built The Therapy Hub: a one-stop-shop space serving kids AND their parents, plus a virtual video library reaching families everywhereJacklin is truly proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out. She didn’t plan on owning a clinic by year three. She just kept taking the next small step — and you can too.Want to build a private practice that grows with your life not around it? Learn more about the Start Your Private Practice program, where clinicians like Jacklin got the tools, community, and confidence to launch. 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 Jacklin on Instagram: instagram.com/justspeechietherapy/ and instagram.com/therapyhubvillage/Check out her website: www.JustSpeechieTherapy.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/

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