An Inspired Chat with Amanda Donaldson

Amanda Donaldson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Amanda, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I used to bound right out of bed when my alarm went off, but after rescuing my adorable cockapoo Luca one year ago, I have to admit, I stall a bit now. I give myself 10-15 minutes to “just be” and enjoy that time of quiet. Sometimes my mind is starting to get up in my head and I take that time to think about the good: the positives and things I’m thankful for, things I have overcame personally and/or professionally, or maybe reflecting to where I was 3, 6, 9, 12 months ago to where I am now. Other than to check the time, I try not to look at my phone. After I’m up and ready, I take my dog for a 30-minute walk. As I walk, I often just let my mind wonder – most often, by the time I get back, I can’t tell you any one thing I was thinking about on the walk. After a morning walk as I eat a light breakfast, I often get thinking about work. I allow this time for myself to think about what clients I am seeing today and what administrative tasks are priorities. I then take all that mental energy and turn it into physical energy as I get my workout done first thing in the morning. For me, a morning workout releases the dopamine and serotonin and other brain chemicals to give me the focus and productivity throughout the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
When I was a child, I had a speech therapist who came to my house to help me with some of my articulation skills as I had difficulty with the production of the “s” and “r” sounds. I knew I always wanted to work with children and the initial obvious answer was to become a teacher. My mother reminded me of my experiences working with a speech therapist and shared some of the “before” recordings with me. I began to look into the field a little more and realized it was a perfect fit. It allowed me to work with children but on a smaller more individualized scale, serve others and make a difference in the lives of others, and give back to a field that made in a difference in my own life. I am so glad I took the path I did because it was led to me to so many new doors and opportunities, many of which I would not have had if it weren’t for being in this field.

After completing an accelerated five-year program earning my bachelors, masters, and teaching certificate at Marywood University (Scranton, PA), I moved to Phoenix, AZ. I worked full time in the schools for 4.5 years and part time on the weekends at a rehabilitation hospital for 3 years. During this time, I also starting building the foundation for my private practice.

In 2019, I opened up CommuniCAN Speech Therapy, as a part time business on the side of my other commitments. I focused on providing in-home services since (a) I did not have the time or means to open a clinic and (b) it allowed for me to see children in their natural setting while making things convenient for the family. In January 2022, I transitioned my full-time job and title from “School SLP” to “Business Owner & SLP.” From there, my business quickly grew and expanded and continues to do so. Now, I have a team of two other therapists who work part time for me and an administrative assistant. We cover a wide area of the Phoenix valley serving children and adults in home and/or via telehealth. Our team is a small family feel business that puts our clients and families first believing in collaboration and individualized approaches in a natural environment.

In addition to working with clients, I also find joy in giving back to the field through coaching and mentoring. In May 2025, I launched a business coaching and SLP mentoring program, School to Private Practice. For example, I have free and for purchase resources including a handbook for SLPs who are entering their first year in the schools. I also provide 1:1 business coaching for therapists who want to transition to the private practice world. This has been another way in which I have been able to help others.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
I am definitely a type A personality. Goal-oriented, feeling like tasks have to be completed immediately, organized and precise sometimes wanting things done a particular way: that’s me! While there are times and places for that, as a business owner and still seeing a full caseload of clients, it is hard to manage all the duties giving each one the time and attention it deserves.

Growing up, we are often told to be independent: encouraging us as toddlers and preschoolers to feed ourselves, get dressed by ourselves, and clean up by ourselves. At first we may not have wanted to do that, but as we got older we yearned for independence: drive on our own, go to college, live on our own, etc. With starting my business, it was all new to me so although I sought mentorship, in terms of the “how-to” I wanted to be independent and be the one to take the all the actions. Now, as my business grows, there are too many tasks for me to handle, because at the end of the day, I’m human! I had to realize that my sense of independence served its purpose. Through my dedication and passion coupled with my desire to help others while establishing a sense of a family friendly community between therapists and families as well as amongst staff, I had founded a business independently. Yet the time had come to release that independence and get assistance. Why? Not because I was weak? Because I was strong. So strong that I was growing and because of that success I could no longer be independent so I needed to delegate some tasks. That’s when I hired an administrative assistant (which I highly recommend)! Having that “behind the scenes help” allows more time to see clients (and thus make more money) and/or more time for personal life. Also, an assistant may have different skill sets than you allowing them to complete things easier and quicker or they may give new creative ideas to designs.

Just like I tell some of my younger client: “it’s okay to need help – you just have to ask.” Same goes for adults: it’s okay to not be fully independent in all areas of your life. That does not mean you are lesser in fact it makes you stronger by recognizing and acknowledging you need help. In doing so, releasing the need for freedom and independence can in fact make you more free in other areas.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Whether it be personally or professionally, success cannot teach you how to get back up again. Personally, suffering may describe the loss of a loved one or the loss of a treasured item. In these instances, you learn to reflect on and treasure the positive memories while recognizing to, from now on, enjoy the little moments and never take things for granted because at some point they may no longer be there. Professionally, suffering may refer to what many would call a “failure,” but I do not believe that this is even the right word choice. Why? Because even when we fail we still learn: we learn what doesn’t work, we rule out what not to do, and we grow from the journey of trying. With 100% success, you never learn that sometimes things don’t go as expected and you may need a backup plan, sometimes you have to be flexible and change your thinking, and making mistakes is part of the journey of growth. By always succeeding, you are likely remaining in your comfort zone and therefore reducing the possibility for growth rather than opening the doors for new adventures and learning opportunities.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Dedication. Others. Passion. Fitness. Family.
These five words are ones friends and family often use to describe things that matter to me and are therefore also some of my personal traits.
1) Dedication is what got me through college, it’s what got me through my first year of work, it’s what got me through the paperwork to set up a business and then eventually grow that to a full time job.
2) A desire to help others and make others happy is likely why I am in a helping profession. Part of the reason I became a speech-language pathologist was to give back to an area that had served me. This desire to help others goes beyond being a therapist, extending into also being a support for fellow SLPs in my new SLP Coaching and Mentoring Program: School to Private Practice SLP.
3) My passion for what I do is what allows me to keep doing, keep growing, keep dreaming, keep achieving. Being fueled by passion allows me to look beyond where I am presently and look onto what expansions I could create.
4) After graduating high school, fitness became a big part of my life, and I now also teach group fitness classes. This is where I have my “me time” so I can take my mental break while releasing serotonin and dopamine all while doing something good for my physical health. The gym is my happy place, my safe space, my destress tool. Fitness matters to me because it makes me feel strong, empowered, and motivated mentally and physically which in turn benefits my personal and professional lives.
5) I have always been deeply routed in my family. I would not be anywhere without my family. I know that sense of belonging and camaraderie is just as important at work as it is at home and having that helps maintain work-life balance. When I created my business, I strived to create, and continue to maintain, a family style work environment; I don’t want it to feel like a corporation but rather a close-knit bond of colleagues.

My values have shaped me as a person and are also represented within my business.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
There are a couple times when I feel most at peace. Personally, I feel most at peace when I am outside such as walking my dog, swimming, or laying by the pool. Exercise is my place to destress and although it is a workout, it brings me peace mentally. Laying with my cockapoo brings me peace physically as I relax and reflect on how appreciative I am of the bond we have and how lucky I was to have rescued him (and he to have rescued me). Professionally, I feel most at peace after receiving word of mouth referrals as that goes to show that the work my team does is being noticed and shared within the community which has been, and always will be, one of my ongoing goals. Graduating a client from speech and/or receiving heartfelt comments/cards regarding the difference I made in the life of someone is the most touching bringing me peace and joy and reminding me of the biggest why: why I do what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.communicanspeechtherapy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/communicanspeechtherapy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057067825449
• Other: SLP Coaching & Mentoring: School to Private Practice SLP:
  https://www.instagram.com/schooltoprivatepracticeslp/