Meet India Banks | Speech and Language Pathologist + Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with India Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi India, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I attended Howard University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of Speech and Language Pathology. Throughout my matriculation, I was fortunate enough to attend a private practice course and was granted the opportunity to shadow therapists and clinic directors who specifically worked with the birth-3-year-old population. I instantly gained joy and gratitude in this particular setting, which led to the discovery of my purpose in the field. The course provided me with the necessary tools and clear vision to eventually develop a successful practice. I was determined to start a pediatric private practice at some point in my career and would often write and verbally manifest this vision whenever I was asked about long term goals.

In 2015, I moved to Los Angeles to officially begin my career as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and worked for various private practices and elementary school sites. Throughout the past several years, I gained numerous mentors, knowledge, and guidance that prepared the path to becoming a CEO. During my years of working for a public charter school system, I experienced burnout as I witnessed the high demand for speech and language therapy resources, early interventions, and equitable practices especially within the Black and Brown communities. I was ready to create my own rules, stop working for people who had my same credentials, and generate a more stable work/life balance. The pandemic hit, and I knew that was the universal push I needed to officially start my business. I took advantage of the “stay at home” orders to attend virtual workshops and masterclasses, applied for a business license, and began the marketing process. Social Butterfly Speech and Language Therapy Inc. became incorporated in March 2021 and has been thriving ever since.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Social Butterfly Speech + Language Therapy Inc. is a pediatric speech and language pathology private practice based in Los Angeles, CA. At Social Butterfly Speech + Language Therapy, we are committed to providing a holistic approach that fosters blooming speech, language, and social skills. We provide speech and language therapy focusing on improving speech production, receptive and expressive language abilities, social skills, and AAC. Evidence-based practices, engaging activities, and practical experiences drive our practice to promote generalization and improve quality of life. We also offer in-person and virtual contract services to schools while providing screenings, evaluations, comprehensive reports, therapy, and IEP participation. We further offer family coaching, which is designed to empower parents with strategies to support communication within daily routines. We believe in combining family coaching, collaboration, and evidence-based practices to provide engaging therapy in a safe and welcoming environment. It is our mission to explore, support, and celebrate each child’s unique personality, abilities, and preferences.

We are not confined to one clinic space, and that is what sets us apart from other Speech and Language Private Practices. We are unique because we travel to our clients’ desired settings to provide services in their natural environments in order to best fit their needs. We are most proud about being fully independent since January; becoming a vendor for Frank D. Lanterman and East Los Angeles Regional Centers; mentoring several SLPs through their business journeys; having serviced over 20 families; and being awarded the Fast Break for Small Business grant through Legalzoom, the WNBA, and Accion Opportunity Fund. We are most excited to grow a team of qualified SLPAs and SLPs as we begin to provide services with various Head Start Preschools in this upcoming school year. Last but not least, we are overjoyed to experience breakthrough moments with our clients and families as they make daily progress towards their goals. We gain much gratitude when we make positive connections and witness our little ones learn how to effectively communicate.

Patience, persistence, and relationships are the key ingredients that have contributed to my business’ success. I’ve been building this brand for the past year and a half – It started with months of research and enrollment in the Independent Clinician masterclass. From there, I built connections with black SLPs, who are also private practice owners, and met with many mentors to gain insight on how to build firm foundations. The demographics in the field of SLP is holding relatively steady with 3.6% professionals identifying as Black so connecting with other SLPs of color has been serendipitous. As a black female, I consider myself to be a double minority in both the fields of Speech Language Pathology and business as I have to often navigate through isolation, microaggressions, words of bias, and the acts of constantly proving my knowledge and expertise. It hasn’t been a easy feat, and in this culture of instant gratification, I had to learn to just trust the process and speak to feelings of inadequacy in order to face my fears and stay the course. So far, I have learned that relationships are vital, and that it’s not only about who you know but who knows YOU. I dedicated time to meeting with preschool directors and offering free resources and screenings to various centers throughout the city. These critical relationships not only helped us gain more clientele, but it also helped build trust, safe spaces, and my business’ reputation. I’ve also learned the importance of having a growth mindset and support system. I’ve had to learn how to let my guard down, lean on my loved ones and team, and let the experts be the experts. My support system has celebrated my successes, helped me learn from my failures, and provided the encouragement that I’ve needed to maintain a positive attitude and determination whenever I’m met with challenges. They’ve also been invaluable resources and provided information on areas outside of my expertise such as managing billing and taxes.

Overall, I’m appreciative of the journey and lessons learned thus far. As the CEO of SBSLT Inc., I’m thankful for the opportunity to marry my passions and purpose and intend to continue to support underserved communities, provide equitable care and resources, and be the director/teacher/mentor/helper that this profession has afforded me to be.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I consider myself to be a “Social Butterfly” and tastemaker in Los Angeles, especially when it comes to the food and brunch scene. I’m a co-founder of the brunch + lifestyle blog @heavenandmimosas (shameless plug) and love visiting and reviewing new brunch venues and events throughout the city. If I had a friend visiting, we would start the week exploring my ‘hood of Westlake/Silverlake. We would begin with some wellness activities like a yoga session at One Down Dog or a pilates class at Avenir-LA. From there, I would recommend grabbing lattes at Bloom and Plume and early eats at one of the following cafes: Larchmont Bungalow Cafe, Lady Byrd Cafe, Cafe Los Feliz, Homestate, or Home Restaurant. We would continue our wellness/self-care activities with outdoor massages at Desuar Spa. We’d then shop for threads at Virgil Normal, candles at P.F. Candle, and spiritual goods from House of Intuition. In the evenings, we’d dine at Ezsett, Bacari, Izakaya Osen, Pine and Crane, The Bowery Bungalow, or The Fix. We’d close out our night by grabbing drinks and vibing at Pinky’s, Tenants of the Tress, Melody, Bolita, Bar Henry, or Genever.

Throughout the rest of the week, we would explore all that LA has to offer and indulge in some of my most cherished things: live music, nature, wellness, fashion, and BRUNCH. We’d most likely start our days outdoors either hiking Wisdom Tree or soaking up the sun at Lacy Park or El Matador beach. Brunch at Castaway is a must, but breakfast burritos from Cofax are also mandatory. We’d spend our afternoons catching views at the Getty or dancing at a Soulection event. In the evenings, we’d have reservations at Girl and the Goat, Bestia, or Calabra and then lounge at Grandmaster Recorders or Bar Lis.

I can go on and on but will end here. Los Angeles clearly has a ton to offer!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m fortunate to have such a supportive village of loved ones and could shout individuals out all day, but I want to presently acknowledge my late grandmother, Laura Mae Berry. We suffered the loss during my last year of graduate school. It was the toughest period of my life, but she stressed the importance of continuing my education and establishing my career so I knew I had to persevere. She gifted me with the nickname, “Social Butterfly,” early in my childhood because I was always “in the mix” and often got in trouble for talking in school. My practice, Social Butterfly Speech + Language Therapy Inc. was intentionally created to honor her and the principles that she instilled within me. Her courage, compassion, generosity, sense of humor, and strong will are some of the many qualities that I have internalized. Even in my times of disappointment, she always taught me to “Let it go and trust God.” It’s from her that I learned to laugh freely and stay true to my authentic self.

I also have to acknowledge my parents, Sharon and Sonny Banks. Growing up as an only child, I was truly blessed to have an upbringing which was filled with love, lessons, and learning. Throughout the past few decades, they have taught me the values of gratitude, respect, a diligent work ethic, and a positive perspective. As a unit, they worked tirelessly and turned down advancement opportunities so that they could afford private school tuitions and safer living environments. My mother became employed at Howard University and endured immense work tasks for over 30 years with a primary goal of gaining remission of tuition for my undergraduate term. My father is retired from both the Airforce and Fire Department, yet he is continuing to work with a primary goal of building future funds for his family. They are continuing to make sacrifices daily to build a better life for myself and many generations to come, and for that I am beyond grateful and will forever strive to prove that their efforts will not go in vain.

Website: https://www.socialbutterflytherapy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialbutterflytherapy/ https://www.instagram.com/banksofamerica/?hl=en

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/irbanks

Image Credits
headshot by Tony Rysk