Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Corin, Founder of The Social House, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have been a practicing pediatric speech-language pathologist for the past 13 years. My clients are primarily neurodivergent children with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of Autism. I work directly with children as well as their caregivers and teachers to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to developing communication skills. I strive to offer acceptance, empowerment, and a clearer path to building and maintaining successful relationships.
Tell us about yourself
I began my career working in a large public school district where I worked with hundreds of children on different development journeys from varying backgrounds and cultures. The unifying quality between all of these children was the desire to connect. It's not always obvious or distinguishable as a bid for connection and can often go unseen or misinterpreted. I began my business so I could dedicate more time to learning about the differences between neurotypical communication and autistic communication and how to support families and school staff through a neurodiversity-affirming model of practice. An autistic person is not damaged, and therapeutic programs should not set goals to change a child but instead provide support, guidance, and knowledge to support their navigation of a primarily neurotypical world.
There is nothing like watching a child use an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to share a silly story with their parent. Or experiencing a child learning that another child likes to play the same way they do. Or advocating for themselves in school when their body needs a break. Or watching a neurotypical child ask an autistic child how they made a certain sound with their voice. It's all magical.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was recommending my first client for service discontinuation. There can be nothing more difficult in my field than saying goodbye to a child and their family after working on such an intimate part of development. It is the ultimate success when a child feels confident and connected to their world.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the most difficult parts of being a business owner is believing you are doing enough and you are doing the best you can for your clients. I am so honored to do the work I do, and I am constantly striving to know more and do more. Just know- you're enough!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The first thing I would tell someone is to really consider how they are adding to the industry in which they work. What service is missing from your field, and what sets you apart from others that do what you do? I would also recommend that you make sure you have a community of support. When you start to feel yourself falling, it's crucial to have at least one person who will help raise you back up. Lastly, listen. Listen to your clients and prospective clients, and listen to the community so you know what kind of help you can offer. Our success grows from theirs.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thesocialhouse-la.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesocialhouse.la
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesocialhousela/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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