Kim and Mary get to sit down for a second time for insight, ideas, tips and laughs with the incredible Lindsey Hockel, SLP and founder of Speechy Things. We've had her on previously to talk about all things "R," but this time she talks us through how she went from her clinical fellowship to digital resource and course creator and niching down in the field of speech pathology.

The Path to Speechy Things: Lindsey’s journey began almost by chance. Initially a clinical fellow at a clinic, the idea for "Speechy Things" popped into her mind one night, leading to the creation of a blog and later, a TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) store. Lindsey shares the evolution of her blog into a thriving business platform, emphasizing how accidental beginnings can lead to purposeful futures.

Turning Passion into Profit: As Lindsey’s engagement with her TPT store deepened, her entrepreneurial spirit took flight. She discusses the shift from treating it as a side hustle to recognizing it as a full-fledged business. Her focus narrowed down to specializing in the 'R' sound, a niche that drastically boosted her business's profile and effectiveness.

Building a Business While Balancing Life: Lindsey speaks candidly about the challenges of managing a growing business, being a mother, and maintaining personal well-being. She highlights the importance of setting boundaries to prevent work from consuming her life, especially after the birth of her daughter.

Marketing Insights: Despite the competitive landscape, Lindsey focuses heavily on Instagram for outreach, advocating for a platform-focused approach to marketing. She believes in the power of persistence and staying true to one's unique offerings rather than getting lost in comparison.

Networking and Collaboration: Lindsey credits much of her growth to networking with other SLPs and engaging in collaborations, which have expanded her reach and brought diversity to her business activities.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Highlighting the importance of continuous learning and adapting, Lindsey recommends resources like Amy Porterfield’s podcasts and courses to help new entrepreneurs navigate the business landscape effectively.

Tools of the Trade: Lindsey utilizes tools like Asana for project management and Calendly for scheduling to streamline operations and keep her business organized.

Lindsey's story is a testament to the potential within the SLP community for entrepreneurial growth. Her blend o

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For more information on speech, language, feeding and play - visit The Speech Source Website - https://www.thespeechsource.com/

This episode will have you captivated, motivated and in awe! Kim and Mary feature Barbara Fernandes, an SLP, author, CEO of Smarty Ears and Smarty Symbols, advocate, and educator. To say she has taken her business and created something so unique and on her own terms is an understatement. She is a testament that staying true to who you are and on the path that you believe in will create a life full of joy and meaning.

Barbara's educational journey began in Brazil, where she pursued speech-language pathology. She moved to the US as part of an exchange program at Temple University, focusing on Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and completed her education in Philadelphia. During this time she mastered learning Spanish and English simultaneously as she was finishing her graduate studies. She then relocated to Texas for a master's program emphasizing bilingual education, setting the stage for her later entrepreneurial ventures.

Barbara started her professional career in Texas public schools, catering mainly to Spanish-speaking students. This job was particularly challenging as she had not experienced the American school system as a child in Brazil. Her transition into entrepreneurship was sparked by a practical need to improve her teaching tools, leading to the development of her first app. This initiative grew into Smarty Ears, a company that now offers over 70 educational products. She managed to cover her initial app development through personal savings and gradually expanded her business without a formal marketing team, relying on direct educational efforts and word of mouth.

Initially interested in focusing on voice therapy in Brazil and working with famous singers, Barbara's career path took a significant turn when she moved to the US and landed in the world of AAC. Throughout the episode, she shares insights into the organic growth of her business, from solving immediate practical needs with basic apps to developing a comprehensive web platform integrating all her apps. She also discusses the process of creating an app, highlighting the increasing complexity and the different elements involved as her business expands.

Barbara's entrepreneurial philosophy emphasizes authenticity and aligning business practices with personal values. She advocates for the use of high-quality, modern visual aids in special education, which led her to start her second company, Smarty Symbols, to provide updated visual resources for SLPs. Her story highlights the importance of adapting and innovating in response to market needs and personal experiences, including her perspective on why the special education industry seems to be lagging behind in technology.

She also shares her views on how SLPs should be using AI, stressing the importance of understanding its capabilities and limitations to enhance their practices effectively. Barbara's approach to business and decision-making often involves taking steps without fully knowing the process, a reflection of her dynamic and intuitive management style. This has also influenced how she organizes her teams, deciding when to bring people on based on the evolving needs of her projects.

Barbara believes strongly in the value of self-awareness and authenticity, encouraging others to learn who t

Also, if you haven't done so already, follow our podcast! You will be the first to know when new episodes release. We would also love for you to leave a review and rate our show. The Speech Source appreciates your feedback and support! Follow here!

Follow Kim and Mary on IG here! - https://www.instagram.com/thespeechsource/
For more information on speech, language, feeding and play - visit The Speech Source Website - https://www.thespeechsource.com/

In this episode, hosts Mary Brezik and Kim Dillon discuss all things AAC, podcasting (The Speechie Side Up Podcast), presenting and more with guest Venita Litvack, a speech therapist and entrepreneur. Venita details her progression in specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and her eventual roles including an AAC consultant (where she helped numerous SLPs get insurance approvals for devices) and an assistive technology specialist. She shares her experiences in private practice, exploring various areas of speech therapy before returning to her passion for AAC. Venita also discussed co-authoring a book focused on social stories and the acceptance of differences in children, her deep engagement with podcasting which she finds fulfilling in providing value through courses, trainings, and events for SLPs, and the significant role a business coach has played in her professional life.

Venita highlights her journey in starting Tassel and the lengthy process to become a CEU provider for the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), and emphasizing the necessity of perseverance in podcasting to eventually profit from it. Venita's development of interviewing skills and her strategic approach to increasing diversity on her podcast by opening guest submissions reflect her commitment to representing diverse client populations. She also discusses the growth of a podcast network, her thoughts on improving podcast organization, and the vital importance of creating efficient systems and processes. Venita reflects on the challenges she faced when starting as an entrepreneur, the distinctions between service-based and product-based businesses, and her reliance on essential subscriptions like Asana, Zapier, and Calendly.

Venita has really taken her experience in the world of speech pathology and crafted a unique and ideal work life that is perfect for her season in life. She demonstrates the ability to change the dynamic of work as these life seasons and interests change, something that the field of speech pathology is well known for.

Kim and Mary learned so much in this interview with Venita and know listeners will walk away with both encouragement and knowledge.

Check out Venita's website and her IG Account!
The Speechie Side Up Podcast
The Speechie Side Up YouTube Channel
Tassel Courses and Information

Ohter subscriptions Venita loves:
Calendly
Asana
Zapier

Also, if you haven't done so already, follow our podcast! You will be the first to know when new episodes release. We would also love for you to leave a review and rate our show. The Speech Source appreciates your feedback and support! Follow here!

Follow Kim and Mary on IG here! - https://www.instagram.com/thespeechsource/
For more information on speech, language, feeding and play - visit The Speech Source Website - https://www.thespeechsource.com/