Why a Growth Mindset is Essential for SLP Entrepreneurs

As an SLP considering entrepreneurship, you’ve likely asked yourself, “Can I really do this?” It’s a fair question—because truthfully, building a business takes more than just clinical expertise. It takes courage, a willingness to learn, and most importantly, the right mindset.

Whether you're just beginning to explore private practice or you're already in the trenches of building your business, one thing is certain: this journey will challenge you. And it should. Every step—from the planning phase, to launching, growing, and eventually even exiting your business—will require you to learn, adapt, and stretch yourself in new ways.

The reality is, most of us weren’t taught how to run a business during our graduate training. Terms like “profit margins,” “client acquisition,” or “operational systems” probably didn’t show up in your SLP textbooks. That means you're beginning a different kind of learning journey.

And that’s where growth mindset comes in.

Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning from setbacks. It’s the opposite of a fixed mindset, where you might believe that if you're not “naturally good” at business, you'll never get there. Sound familiar?

If you're waiting until you feel 100% ready, or until you've perfected your knowledge of contracts, finances, and marketing—you might be waiting forever. Growth comes through the process, not before it.

When things get hard (and they will), it’s not a sign that you’re not cut out for this. It’s a sign that you’re learning. What matters most is how you respond. Do you give up? Or do you lean into the challenge, ask for help, and keep going?

Here's what adopting a growth mindset looks like as an SLP entrepreneur:

• Accepting that you won’t know everything right away—and that’s okay.

• Seeking support from mentors, business coaches, or fellow SLPs who’ve walked the path before you.

• Embracing feedback—even when it’s tough—because it helps you grow.

• Understanding that failure is part of the process, not a sign to stop.

• Taking action despite fear, because courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s moving forward anyway.
  
  

You’ll encounter moments where you feel unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck. That’s normal. But the future you’re building is worth pushing through the discomfort.

With the right tools, support, and mindset, you’ll not only build a business—you’ll become the kind of entrepreneur you never imagined you could be.

Want to learn more about laying the foundation for your private practice? We cover all of this and more in our new course:

Unlocking Success in Private Practice: Setting Up Your Private Practice Foundation

This self-paced course walks you through the essential steps to legally and professionally start your private practice, including business structure, financial planning, pricing, and client attraction strategies.

👉 Click here to learn more and enroll.

✨ Want the full experience? Purchase the Unlocking Success in Private Practice Bundle and get two workshops plus a free 1:1 coaching session—your personalized support to go deeper, stay accountable, and grow with confidence.

You’re not just building a business. You’re building a version of your professional self that’s bold, resilient, and future-ready.