Don't Fear Taking the Risk

By Lauren Weiser Raivetz, Founder of Speechy NY

September 22, 2005

I am an ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association) certified, New York State   Licensed, Speech-Language Pathologist and certified Teacher of the Speech and   Hearing Handicapped (TSHH). I have recently opened up a private practice on the Upper   East Side of Manhattan with a former colleague of mine. We are located within a Sensory   Gym, which is also staffed with a Physical and Occupational therapist. We service   children and adults with a wide-range of communication concerns. Specifically we treat   children with early language delay, apraxia, articulation/phonological disorders, autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), auditory processing concerns, and oral-motor and feeding difficulties. We also treat adults with speech and language difficulties, including apraxia, aphasia, dysarthia, dysphagia, and voice disorders.

Advice
For so many years I said I wanted to start a private practice but kept coming up with a reason to postpone it. After a while I became comfortable working for others, and one day I woke up and realized that the only thing holding me back was my fear of taking the risk. So when the timing was right I decided to overcome this fear and take the chance! Working for myself has been very stressful at the beginning, but it offers so many great benefits that I know will pay off in the long run. I not only have financial independence, but I can make my own hours, and there is a sense of personal satisfaction in building something on your own that you simply just don't get with anything else. I would definitely suggest that if you have the desire to start your own company to at least give it a shot. Even if it does not succeed you will at least have given it your all, had fun doing it, and learned a lot of valuable lessons. I would also say to be patient! You will not be successful overnight, so you must be willing to wait a while to make a profit.

More advice
My best advice is to surround yourself with qualified professionals and service providers who have experience in your industry. Do not surround yourself with people who have never worked with someone in your profession, or are unaware of your goals or your expertise. Our accountant specializes in services businesses, specifically Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy practices. His experience and Partnerss within these fields has been an invaluable resource and comfort for us.