Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Cotton.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo; University City to be exact! I was introduced to the field of Speech-Language Pathology back in high school through a family member who worked as a school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP). I also had the opportunity to shadow an SLP in a skilled nursing facility the summer before my senior year and that sealed the deal for me! I graduated from Alabama A&M University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. I’m a licensed member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Missouri Board for the Healing Arts; as well as a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. I have worked in public & charter schools, home health, private practice; with clients ranging from birth – three years old, school age children, young adults, and geriatrics. The pediatric population by far is my favorite to work with!
I started Speak Wonders in 2018 because of the lack in representation of African American and minority SLPs, here in St. Louis and in the profession as a whole. Years ago, I worked for a company that would assign new patients to me because “no other therapist wants to go to this location” or “the other therapists want to stay within a certain zip code”. Basically, assigning me to all the black neighborhoods in St. Louis County and a few in St. Louis City as well. At one point, I was the only black SLP from that company working in the predominately black areas. After a couple of years, I decided to venture out on my own, to help & serve the people that looked like me or didn’t have a south county zip code. It was the best decision yet!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It definitely has NOT been a smooth road! If I had to pick a few, learning how to secure insurance contracts, understanding the ins and outs of Medicaid, and studying coding & billing, were my top 3 struggles starting out. I had to do a lot of trial and error, independent research online about what was required for my state, paid so many fees and completed countless application packets-some of them were even duplicates because I made so many errors initially. Overall, I’m super grateful for my friends, who are fellow SLPs too, who helped me a lot in the beginning. They all have successful therapy practices as well but not in Missouri; so although laws differ from state to state, they gave me a starting off point when I didn’t have one and much needed invaluable advice. I still consult the same friends today when discussing views on certain therapy techniques or how to approach new business policies.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Speak Wonders story. Tell us more about the business.
Speak Wonders, LLC is a private practice offering quality speech and language evaluations and therapy services to children and young adults ages 3-21 with communication delays and disorders. We travel to serve our clients in their natural environment, to include the child’s home, school, daycare, early childhood center, and adult day center/community setting. We strive to increase everyday natural learning opportunities as well as provide supportive services to families. Our belief is, in order for children to reach their maximum potential communication difficulties should be addressed as early as possible. Early intervention services are imperative to children’s developmental, academic, and social success.
We specialize in the following areas:
– Consultations, Screenings, Evaluations
– Articulation and Phonology Delays/Disorders
– Expressive Language Delays/Disorders
– Receptive Language Delays/Disorders
– Pragmatic Communication Delays/Disorders
– Fluency Delays/Disorders
– Voice Disorders
We recently started offering Telehealth services in order to continue serving families through this global pandemic. I’m really proud of our pathologists for being flexible and willing to learn a new service delivery model in a matter of weeks, all while juggling their own lives and family during a pandemic. What we’re known for and what sets us apart from others is the same; it’s the relationships we build with the families we treat. We are in their homes weekly, interact with all family members, and respect & understand cultural differences. Our company is small and we all are hands-on, so our families know that their children are supported and their voices as parents are heard and not lost on a huge corporation. Word of mouth is one of our biggest referral sources.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not a big believer in good or bad luck, but more so into manifesting things I want and making actual moves for those manifestations to align. I’m certainly blessed to have the family I have and the opportunities made available to me to succeed in life & in business. I just try to do what’s right for me and my people and put good energy into the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.speakwondersspeechtherapy.com
- Phone: 314-495-8430
- Email: info@speakwondersspeechtherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakwondersspeechtherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakWondersSpeechTherapy
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/speakwondersllc
Image Credit:
Professional shots by: Marvis Jackson
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