The First 3 Steps in Starting a SLP Private Practice
Here are my first 3 steps in starting your own business as a speech-language pathologist. My goal is to provide as many free resources to parents and speech-language pathologists as I can. No expensive courses or gatekeeping here, just free and affordable resources to help you wherever you are today. This one is for the SLPs. You can download the full 7-step freebie below.
Stay tuned for related YouTube videos coming soon, and more posts and business content! If you have a specific question, feel free to send us a message with the contact form and we’ll get back to you with an answer or a video response in one of our upcoming videos on YouTube.
Please note, I am not an attorney, CPA, or business advisor. I’m just another SLP sharing what worked for me, and hoping to encourage more SLPs in starting their own businesses. It truly is a life changer. If you are in a setting with high productivity demands, or in a school with a massive caseload, there is another path and a way out of the burnout. There are options to contract with schools, to see private clients, and even to consult and support in other ways in your community. Don’t let the business side of things intimidate you, and take the leap to start your own practice today!
Step One: Choose Your Business Name
Why am I putting this as step one? Some say it’s not that important, but if you are planning to form a business, this name will be on everything and you need to have one picked out. Don’t let this slow you down though, you can always fix it, adjust it later, or use a DBA name as your business grows and changes. To start, think about your goals for the business and you business plan, decide on a name, and get ready to use it! Need help thinking of a name? Contact us and let’s brainstorm!
Step Two: Decide on Your Business Mailing Address
To do anything else, you really do need a business address. I did not want to use my home address for the business, and I did not have any money to rent office space. I was planning to see clients in community spaces, at their homes or virtually, and knew I did not need a physical space. If this is the case for you too, go to UPS and buy a mailbox, use a virtual office service, phone a friend with a small business or office and see if you can use their mailing address, or find another path that works well for you. Either way, now is the time to establish your mailing address.
Note: This can be separate from your official business address, which we’ll get to in the next step.
Step Three: Choose Your Registered Agent
If you will not be keeping regular 9-5 hours at a physical location, I would recommend finding a registered agent to help you form your business. They will also give you the option to use their address as your official business address, so you don’t need to use your home address. There are a lot of registered agent options out their. Two of the most popular for support in forming a business, like a LLC, are Legal Zoom and Northwest Registered Agents. Reach Speech Therapy is not affiliated with either of these sites, and does not gain a commission from including them here.
Do you want more steps after finding your registered agent? Download the 7-step FREEBIE below!
Want even more support? Contact us and set up a 1:1 consultation with Hailey!