In the latest episode of the Parenting + Business podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Tala, a speech pathologist and mother of two, about her journey of adapting her practice to online sessions during the Covid-19 pandemic. This shift not only changed how she approached her business but also reshaped her parenting philosophy and deepened her understanding of the importance of early intervention in speech development.
From In-Person Therapy to Online Coaching: A Pandemic Pivot
Like many professionals, Tala found herself needing to adapt her business model when the pandemic hit. Transitioning from in-person speech therapy to virtual sessions, she quickly realized the potential of coaching parents to take an active role in their child’s speech development. By guiding parents through exercises and techniques, she saw remarkable improvements in her clients’ progress. This discovery led Tala to develop a coaching program specifically designed for parents, empowering them to take ownership of their child’s language development journey.
Tala shared that this shift was a game changer. Not only did it allow her to help more families, especially those in areas with a shortage of speech therapists, but it also provided her with the flexibility to better manage her own parenting and business responsibilities.
The Challenges of Running a Private Practice
As a speech pathologist with a private practice, Tala shared the ups and downs of building a business. While owning a business offers a certain level of freedom, Tala dispelled the myth that it equates to total flexibility. In reality, managing a business while raising a family can often mean late nights, weekends spent catching up on work, and constantly juggling the needs of both worlds.
Hiring additional staff to cover the later hours allowed Tala to create more boundaries between her work and home life, but finding that balance remains a constant challenge. As many business owners can relate, Tala expressed the difficulty in shutting off from work, particularly with the online nature of her business and the endless notifications that come with it.
Finding Balance Between Business and Family Life
During our conversation, we also discussed the importance of maintaining realistic expectations when balancing work and family life. Tala emphasized the need to be flexible with time management—especially when raising young children. One of the key takeaways she shared was the idea of “progress over perfection.” In both business and parenting, things don’t always go as planned, and it’s important to adapt as you go.
Covid-19 significantly shifted the focus of her business, leading Tala to prioritize her coaching program due to the increasing demand for speech therapy and the shortage of available specialists. Her coaching program, Tiny Talkers Toolkit, has since become a valuable resource for parents looking to accelerate their child’s language development.
The Importance of Early Intervention in Speech Therapy
One of the most important topics Tala and I touched on was the critical need for early intervention when it comes to speech development. Tala urged parents not to delay seeking help if they suspect their child may need support. She stressed the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent—if something feels off, it’s better to act sooner rather than later.
By taking action early, parents can avoid feelings of guilt or regret down the road, knowing they did everything they could to support their child’s development. Tala’s advice? Don’t wait. Trust your instincts and get the help your child needs.
Building a Sustainable Business through Automation
As business owners, one of the challenges we often face is how to delegate and automate processes so that we can focus on the things that matter most. Tala shared how automation and delegation have helped her maintain a balance between her work and family life. Despite the difficulty of relinquishing control, investing in systems and building a team has allowed her to free up time for her family while continuing to grow her business.
One resource we discussed was the book “Buy Back Your Time” by Dan Martell, which focuses on the value of time and the importance of automating processes in business. By learning to delegate tasks, business owners can achieve more freedom and create a sustainable work-life balance.
Final Thoughts
Our conversation with Tala was a powerful reminder of the challenges and rewards of balancing business ownership with parenting. Whether you’re managing a business, raising a family, or both, the lessons from this episode can help you navigate the complexities of juggling multiple roles. Tala’s emphasis on early intervention, flexibility, and the importance of coaching and empowerment offers valuable insights for both parents and business owners alike.
Want to hear more? Listen to the full episode of the Parenting + Business podcast here, and don’t forget to check out Tala’s Tiny Talkers Toolkit for practical strategies on enhancing your child’s speech development.