Today we’d like to introduce you to Deb Hughes.
Hi Deb, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story really begins with my son, Daniel. Like many parents navigating a journey that requires intensive therapy, I spent a lot of time in and out of various clinics. However, early on, I felt a recurring sense of disconnect. It often felt like Daniel was just a number on a chart or a time slot in a schedule. I struggled to find a place that offered the deep-seated passion and personalized understanding that I knew he—and children like him—deserved.
I realized that parents didn’t just need clinical results; they needed a village. I wanted to create a space where families wouldn’t feel like they were navigating this path alone.
That vision became Buford Kids’ SPOT. I founded the clinic to be a true support system—a place where therapy is the foundation, but empathy and community are the walls that hold it up. We aren’t just here for the weekly appointment; we are here to be a resource and a sanctuary for the families we serve.
As of March 16th, 2026, we are incredibly proud to celebrate our 6th year in business here in Buford. What started as a mission for my son has grown into a mission for this entire community, and I am honored every day to see the progress our kids make when they are truly seen and understood.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
To be completely honest, it has been anything but a smooth road. There were several moments—deep, heavy challenges—where I felt like giving up.
We faced the kind of obstacles that test your very foundation. There were significant financial hurdles that come with trying to build a high-quality clinic from the ground up, especially while maintaining a ‘people-first’ mission in an industry that often prioritizes volume. On top of the business stress, there were extreme health challenges with Daniel that pushed me to my physical and emotional limits.
There were days when the weight of it all felt like too much to carry. But in those moments of doubt, I leaned on my faith. I kept coming back to the reason I started this: Daniel, and every child like him who was being treated like ‘just a number’ elsewhere.
I realized I couldn’t give up because these families couldn’t afford for me to. My faith told me there was a purpose in the struggle, and it gave me the strength to put one foot in front of the other when the path forward wasn’t clear. Today, looking at how far we’ve come as we approach our 6th anniversary, I see those hard years not as setbacks, but as the fire that forged the heart of this clinic. We are here because we persisted, and that’s the same spirit of ‘never giving up’ that we try to instill in every child who walks through our doors.”
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At BKS, we provide comprehensive pediatric therapy, currently specializing in Speech and Occupational Therapy, with the goal of adding Physical Therapy in the near future. Our team works with children of all ages and abilities, helping them reach those “inch-stone” and “milestone” victories that truly change lives.
But if you ask our families what we are “known for,” they won’t just list our clinical services. They’ll tell you we are known for connection. Because I started this journey as “Daniel’s Mom” before I was a clinic owner, I built this space to be the village I couldn’t find. We refuse to let any child—or any parent—feel like just another appointment on a calendar. We specialize in the whole family; we aren’t just looking at a diagnosis, we are looking at a person with a story, a personality, and a future.
What sets us apart is that we don’t stop at the clinic doors. Many parents come to us feeling completely overwhelmed—not just by a diagnosis, but by a lack of information. They often aren’t aware of the community resources, financial aid, or specialized equipment available to them.
At BKS, we act as a resource hub. If a parent is struggling financially or needs specific equipment, I make it my mission to find a solution. If I don’t have the answer personally, I lean on a network of experts who do. We help families navigate the “hidden” side of this journey—everything from educational advocacy and IEP meetings to securing waivers and community grants. I want every parent to feel like they finally have an insider on their team. We aren’t just providing therapy; we are providing the roadmap I wish I’d had when I first started with Daniel.
Beyond the clinical progress we see every day, I am most proud of our culture and our persistence. As we celebrate our 6th anniversary this March, I look back at the moments I almost gave up and realize those trials created a safe harbor for hundreds of families.
I’m incredibly proud of the team of therapists we’ve built—people who share that same fire and passion. My greatest achievement isn’t a business metric; it’s seeing a parent walk in exhausted and walk out feeling empowered, knowing they have a true partner in their child’s development. We’ve turned a personal struggle into a community solution, and seeing BKS become a second home for these families is the greatest reward I could ask for.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
If I had to pin it down to one thing, it would be relentless empathy. Because I have sat in the same chairs as the parents who visit BKS, I don’t just see a client; I see a family in the middle of a journey I know by heart. That empathy is what fuels my refusal to give up. When we faced those deep challenges, it was the ‘Mom’ in me—the one who fought for Daniel—that kept me going. I knew that if I closed our doors, it wasn’t just a business ending; it was a support system disappearing for families who already feel like they’re fighting an uphill battle.
Success, for me, hasn’t been about numbers; it’s been about the integrity of my word. When I tell a parent, ‘We will find a way,’ I mean it. Whether that means researching a new waiver, finding a piece of donated equipment, or just being the person who listens when they’ve had a hard week, that commitment to never stop advocating is what has built the trust BKS is known for.
I also credit my faith as the anchor for that persistence. It provides the peace and the ‘second wind’ I need when things get difficult. I truly believe that when you lead with a servant’s heart and a genuine desire to help others, the path forward eventually clears—no matter how many obstacles are in the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BufordKidsSpot.com
