From improvisation, entrepreneur builds practice around speech, feeding therapy – SiouxFalls.Business

October 18 January 2022

This week’s rookie is Vanessa Anderson-Smith, speech-language pathologist and CEO of the Anderson-Smith Therapeutic Institute.

name: Vanessa Anderson-Smith

age: 36

hometown: Guangzhou

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I attended my undergraduate education at Augustana University. I like the idea of ​​a small college in a big city. Sioux Falls always has plenty of entertainment, restaurants to choose from, and there’s always something to get involved!

What kept you in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has a small-town feel, but also has the amenities of a big city. There’s always a new restaurant or brewery to visit, and there seem to be new concert announcements every week. From home/household needs to our growing business needs, it’s easy to find who or what you need because everyone is so connected.

What made you decide to start a business and what was your experience like?

I always say, “This was never the plan!” My private practice was very serendipitous and it snowballed faster than I thought. In 2013, I worked for a national contract firm in a skilled nursing facility in the area and am very satisfied with my work. However, the industry and company I work in began to change rapidly, so I decided in an instant to quit my “full-time stable” job and go back to working in the people I’ve always loved: birth to age 5.

My goal in becoming a speech-language pathologist was simple: to help babies learn to eat and talk. So this is what I decided to do. In 2013, I started working part-time in a school district, babysitting privately, and part-time through the state’s early intervention program. Before I knew it, word had spread about the work I was doing, and the rest was history. I stumbled upon what my office practice in my kitchen had turned into a bustling private practice with two locations and 20 employees. Demand never fell, it just grew exponentially.

I believe it is my personal responsibility to ensure that no children in need of services leave. In response to local needs, we started offering occupational therapy services and counseling for dyslexia/dyslexia and speech and feeding therapy. We offer in-person and teletherapy services, and families can drive up to 6 hours each way to access our specialist services.

How did you connect with your industry?

My industry is small, even on a national level. As a millennial myself, once I discovered a Facebook group for private practice owners and speech-language pathologists, I felt like I found my tribe! My social media activity caught the attention of TalkTools, the company I trained, who recognized my passion for speech and feeding therapy. I’m now an instructor at TalkTools and have created webinars and courses that I teach to other SLPs around the world. I also attend various dental societies, state conferences and associations, and other continuing education platforms.

Describe your business in three words.

connect. Upright. expertise.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?

I am identical twins! My sister was used to being seen as me in the grocery store, and I was used to being seen as a banker in Guangzhou. Fear not, our days of pranking coworkers, friends and even husbands are over!

What’s your favorite way to give back to the community?

ASTI is a proud sponsor of various local organizations, such as the New Directions Down Syndrome Association and the American Huntington’s Disease Association. I serve on the board of the South Dakota Speech and Hearing Association, where I can advocate for other SLPs and audiologists. We enjoy promoting the continued growth of our industry by welcoming local universities and graduate students for observation and internships.

What businesses would you like to see in Sioux Falls that are not here now?

Of course Trader Joe’s!

If you had $1 million to start another business, what kind of business would you do?

I joked that if I got bored and stopped practicing, I would open an independent 3D/4D ultrasound clinic. I know expecting mothers and families will love seeing their babies up close. I have a 4 year old and a 4 month old and I would love some extra ultrasound to see my kids. Pregnancy can feel long and boring at times, but there’s nothing more exciting than peeking at our babies during these dates!



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