From Underappreciated School SLP to Confident Practice Owner with Kim Willard

If you’re tired of feeling underappreciated and held back as a school SLP, this episode is for you!

Joining me today is Kim Willard, SLP and founder of Empower YOU Speech and Language Therapy in Spring Hill, Tennessee. After a new school position did not live up to her expectations following a move, Kim realized something had to change.

Kim decided to open her private practice after joining the Start Your Private Practice Program back in 2023, and it’s been amazing to watch her create success on her own terms. 

In this episode, Kim shares what it’s like to run a mobile private practice that reflects her priorities and gives her the job satisfaction she’s always wanted.

As a speech therapist with over 18 years of experience and a graduate of stuttering therapy, Kim Willard believes that everyone can become a confident communicator, regardless of their differences. 

Her practice, Empower YOU, is centered around making speech and language therapy a meaningful and joyful experience for all types of learners. She takes a child-centered approach to therapy sessions, supporting connection over compliance. Her greatest pleasure is to see a child fall in love with learning, share their unique thoughts with the world, and feel as special as they are. 

In Today’s Episode, We Discuss:

• Dealing with career disappointment following an exciting move 
• Navigating private practice while working full-time, and when she realized she could quit her job
• What Kim’s day-to-day looks like running her own practice
• Learning to believe in your skillset and charge what you’re worth
• Developing working relationships that lead to referrals (and not competition!)

I hope Kim’s inspiring story reminds you it’s never too late to pivot and start calling the shots yourself. You have so much to offer, and you deserve to charge your worth! If being a school SLP isn’t for you, don’t be afraid to try something new.

If you would like to know more about our Programs and how we help support SLPs and OTs (like Kim) who want our help to start and grow their practices, please visit www.IndependentClinician.com/resources.

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: 

Check out Kim’s website: www.empoweryouspeech.com

Follow Kim on Instagram: www.instagram.com/empoweryouspeech

Learn more about our programs: www.IndependentClinician.com/resources

Where We Can Connect: