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Private Practice Success StoriesTips, Lessons and Insights from Speech-Language Pathologists in Private Practice Author: Jena Castro-Casbon
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. Were 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. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Personal Journals, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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No Connections, No Problem: Launching a Private Practice in a Brand-New Community with Courtney Welch
Episode 349
Monday, 1 December, 2025
What if moving to a new town could be the perfect opportunity to start over—not just personally, but professionally? That’s exactly what Courtney Welch, founder of Champion Speech Therapy in North Port, Florida, did when she decided to take control of her career and open her own private practice.Courtney is a speech-language pathologist and owner of Champion Speech Therapy, she has been in the field for 9 years and nearly 2 years as a private practitioner. She specializes in adult rehabilitation, including clients with Parkinson’s disease, aphasia, swallowing disorders, and head and neck cancer recovery.Her approach combines evidence-based treatment with compassion and accessibility, serving a population often overlooked in outpatient rehab.Courtney always thought she’d be a teacher, but while working at a retirement community during college, she discovered her love for the older population and found her true calling in speech-language pathology. After years in skilled nursing and hospital-based outpatient care, multiple moves forced her to start over again and again—until she began to feel exhausted from jobs that limited her time off and schedule. That’s when she found the Private Practice Bootcamp and later the Start Your Private Practice Program, deciding it was time to build something of her own.In this episode, Courtney shares everything starting from when she launched Champion Speech Therapy, she had no local connections. But she quickly realized her small town lacked any outpatient speech therapy services—making her the perfect person to fill that gap. With determination and a stack of flyers, she introduced herself to local doctors, OTs, PTs, and home health agencies. Within one week, she landed her first five referrals—proof that her leap of faith was exactly what her community needed.In Today's Episode, We Discuss:The moment she realized she couldn’t take “one more job” working for someone elseWhat it’s like starting a practice in a brand-new communityHow she found her first clients with simple grassroots marketingWhy she loves serving adults with Parkinson’s, aphasia, and cancer rehabHer journey from 100% mobile therapy to a co-working office spaceCourtney’s story proves that you don’t need a marketing degree, a big city, or years of business experience to succeed—you just need the courage to start. By combining persistence, compassion, and a willingness to learn, she built a thriving private practice from the ground up in a brand-new town.Ready to take control of your career and start your own private practice—just like Courtney did? The Start Your Private Practice Program gives you the roadmap, resources, and support to get started. Learn more at www.StartYourPrivatePractice.com.Whether you’re just starting or ready to grow, I can help you create a practice that gives you freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment. Visit www.IndependentClinician.com to learn more.Resources Mentioned:Check out her website: championspeechfl.comWhere We Can Connect: Follow the Podcast:
