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

Hi Matthew, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Back in 2013, when I first started my private practice (within the natural environment setting), I sent out a large postcard mailer to a number of local pediatric medical practices. It was all about introducing myself, my services and value proposition. Of course, not everyone I mailed postcards to became a referral source, in fact only a couple out of 75+ or so solicitations replied. One of them, a small to medium-sized pediatrics office still continues to refer me patients. In other words, if a referral source likes you, is hearing good things about the work you’ve been doing with their clients/patients, you will likely be that source’s go-to SLP. I would suggest not trying to bite off more than you can chew, as they say, since each of these practice descriptions would suggest a different set of referral sources. For example, for my practice, those referral sources would be pediatricians, local private school teachers and administrators (both preschool and school-age), local public school SLPs where kids may not be eligible for services but still in need of them, and of course the parents themselves – word-of-mouth is always king! For our adult-focused clients, I might focus more on relationships with rehabilitation doctors, social workers and their facilities.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a California Department of Education approved Nonpublic Agency (NPA), LA Speech Pathology Services, Inc. was established in 2013. We are a therapist-run company that offers occupational therapy, assistive technology, augmentative/alternative communication, physical therapy, educational therapy and speech-language services. We have extensive experience in typical and atypical child development and in working on behalf of the children, collaboratively with teachers and school staff. Our 60+ associates work with caregivers, families, school teams, and other professionals as needed to develop successful plans for meeting IEP goals and objectives. ​ All therapists hold degrees, certifications, and licenses required by the State of California and our National credentialing associations. Through professional collaboration and continuing education, we provide leading-edge expertise across a wide array of specializations.

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.
Best things to to in LA are visit the Battleship USS Iowa Museum, The Broad, Staples Center, Griffith Park, The Grove, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A child’s first teachers are his parents and caregivers taking advantage of every opportunity to learn available throughout the home and experiences.

Website: www.laspeechpathologyservices.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laspeechpathologyservices/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-smith-ab1862a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/matthew-smith-ms-ccc-slp-culver-city

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.