Meet Vana Ashdjian | Speech Language Pathologist/Private Practice Owner

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

Hi Vana, how do you think about risk?
Personally, I am not a natural risk taker. I prefer to stick with predictability, as I know the outcome and find comfort in that. However, much of the decision making regarding the success of my business has been a result of taking risks. As a business owner, taking risks is part of growing. If I didn’t take the risk to start my practice, I would not have a practice. If I didn’t take a risk to lease my first office, I would not have a team of amazing professionals to work with. If I didn’t take the risk to upgrade to a bigger office, I wouldn’t be able to grow into a multidisciplinary center. As you see, the common denominator has been to take a risk! To anyone who wants to venture in starting a business, take the risk, it may be worthwhile!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I own a Speech Therapy clinic in Glendale, CA. I started this practice as the sole provider without out a clue as to where I’d be now. I had the passion, the skill and the drive to provide clinically strong services and I went for it. What set me apart from the start (and now) is my bilingualism in Armenian/English. As the need for speech pathologists in our community grew, I knew I wanted to be a support system and pillar for Armenian families. I take joy and pride in providing information and guidance to families when navigating the world of therapy and special needs.

I am most proud of achieving the goals and milestones I had desired for my clinic. I am naturally a goal oriented and driven individual and these skills have helped me gain the success in my practice today. Through this I have learned that manifesting your goals will allow them to happen. You are as successful as you let yourself be. If you say you can’t do it, then you are naturally in a negative mindset and it just won’t happen. However, if you say you can and you will, it will happen. It was never easy and it is still not easy. Obstacles arise daily and I find ways to overcome them. Maybe it won’t happen in the timeline you set for yourself but don’t give up and you will achieve what you desire.

I want the world to know that you can do anything you set your mind to. There was a time in my life when getting into graduate school seemed impossible. Fast forward to now, I am a successful speech language pathologist with a private practice and clinical team. Dream big!

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.
What a fun question! Let’s travel to my favorite L.A. spots. We’d start the week off locally with a hike up to the Griffith Observatory. It’s truly my favorite place in the city with a short but engaging hike up, you can see every corner of the city (including the Hollywood sign!). Also, while you’re up there you can do a quick tour of the observatory museum which is also fun if you’re a science lover like me! We’d have dinner at my favorite sushi spot, Sushi Yuzu in Toluca Lake. Next, I’d take them to Manhattan beach. It’s one of my favorite beaches because it feels like California the most. People are playing volleyball, skateboarders and bikers cruise along the sidewalk with views of beautiful beach houses. All which give you the essence of being in Cali. Last, I’d take a day (or two) trip to Santa Ynez to our beautiful wine country. With a short 2 hour drive we have the most beautiful vineyards and properties to spend time at. What I love about L.A. the most is that we have such a wide variety of things to see or do within 2 hours away from us. From Palm Springs, to Big Bear, to the beach, to the vineyards, to hot springs, to hikes and waterfalls. Whatever it is you want to do, we can do it here in L.A. I was born in L.A. but not raised here which made me love the city even more because I dreamed of moving here as a child. Now that I have lived here for over 10 years, I don’t take it for granted, as I believe this is one of the greatest cities in the world!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I love this question because I do believe in the “it takes a village” motto. I could not have made it to where I am today without the support of my husband and my clinical team. To start off, my husband was and is the back bone of this operation. He believed in me before I believed in myself. I never imagined myself to own and operate a business but he knew I could do it and pushed me into it and I’m grateful for that every single day! The ongoing support he provides is the reason I am able to do what I do and without him this would not be possible.

Next, my clinical team. As a business owner, I love my work environment, I’m happily at work at all hours, weekends, and weeknights when no one asks me to be, it’s part of owning a practice. Now, to have a team who chooses to come in early, leave late, and give their blood sweat and tears to help run this practice is more than I could have dreamed of. Each one of my team members treat Nest as it’s their own. I never asked them to, but they love it as I do. I don’t know what I have done to deserve them but Nest is theirs as much as It’s mine and I’m beyond grateful for their love and dedication to Nest, to each other, and to our families.

Website: https://www.nestspeech.com

Instagram: @nestspeechtherapy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanaashdjian

Twitter: n/a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nestspeechtherapy

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nest-speech-and-language-therapy-glendale?osq=nest+speech+therapy

Image Credits
Melody Melikian Photography