Today we’re chatting with Gina, owner of Small Talk Speech Therapy LLC.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the Columbus area?
I’m originally from a small town near Steubenville, Ohio. After graduate school I married a Naval officer, and together we’ve had the opportunity to live all over the country (and even overseas once) before returning home to Columbus to put down roots about six months ago.
How many kids do you have and how old are they?
I have two kids, ages 9 and 6.
What are some of your favorite things to do around Columbus (either with kids or just for you!)?
We love hanging out at the Columbus Metro libraries, exploring COSI and the zoo, adventuring around the Columbus Metro Parks (they’re all incredible!), and checking out the amazing variety of restaurants around the city.
Our mission is to Give Moms the Gift of Time. What are your best time-saving tips/resources as a parent?
My best advice is: do less! Sometimes the most well-intentioned parents (myself included!) can step in too quickly. Kids learn so much through natural experiences, even when those involve a bit of risk taking or frustration. I’ve seen my children develop problem-solving, empathy, and conflict resolution skills as well as perseverance because I gave them the time and space to figure things out on their own.
What is your business/what do you offer?
I’m a pediatric speech-language pathologist offering comprehensive and customized in-home and on-site (daycare or preschool) speech therapy services for children.
Reason for opening/passion behind it:
I feel so lucky to genuinely love what I do. When I worked in the schools, I met many parents seeking extra support or additional therapy outside of what the school could provide. School-based SLPs are some of the hardest-working professionals out there, and they’re often stretched incredibly thin with large caseloads.
For children who are not school aged yet, parents can experience wait lists of up to a full year. I wanted to offer families another option, one that allowed for individualized attention, faster progress, and a strong partnership between the therapist and family.
How long have you been in business?
I began seeing private clients about five years ago as a side project, but after moving to Columbus, I officially launched Small Talk and made it my full-time focus.
Uniqueness that sets you apart:
I provide therapy in each child’s natural environment, which helps them feel comfortable and allows me to connect with them quickly. I intentionally keep a small caseload so I can give each family my full attention and tailor therapy for the best results. I currently don’t have a waiting list and offer flexible scheduling, which many families appreciate.
● Favorite coffee place in Columbus?
Coffee Connections in Hilliard
● What is something you and your family enjoy doing together?
We love camping and hiking. We took an RV trip out west over the summer and it was hands down my favorite family trip to date.
● Something interesting about yourself/something that others may not know about you.
I lived in Naples, Italy for almost 3 years
● What’s the best mom advice you have ever been given (or your own advice to moms out there)?
There is no “one right way” to do anything. Trust your instincts, stay grounded in your own values, and lean on your community. You’ve got this!
