Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Hawney.
Hi Jean, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Little Eaters & Talkers began long before it had a name.
My path into working with children started early, through volunteering in high school and continuing through college. I was drawn to service by participating in mission trips, volunteering in my community, and serving as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. I knew I wanted a career centered on helping others, but it wasn’t until closer to home that the direction became clear.
Both my younger “brother” and my nephew had speech impediments. Watching their journeys and the impact skilled therapists had on their confidence and communication introduced me to the profession of speech-language pathology.
After college, I joined the Peace Corps, an experience that profoundly shaped how I view families, culture, resilience, and service. When I returned, I pursued my master’s degree in speech-language pathology and began my career in a bilingual preschool. From there, life took me to New Orleans, where I worked with both children and adults across a wide range of needs in the hospital setting.
Eventually, our family moved to Houston, where I landed what felt like a dream job at a pediatric children’s hospital. For more than nine years, I gained invaluable experience working with infants and children with complex medical diagnoses, feeding and swallowing challenges, and developmental differences. It was meaningful, demanding, and deeply formative work.
In 2020, a friend encouraged me to take a leap and start my own LLC. Little by little, I began seeing patients outside of the hospital setting. As the private practice grew, I realized how much I loved the flexibility, connection, and family-centered care that came with supporting children in their homes and everyday environments. That realization led me to take the next step—transitioning full-time into Little Eaters & Talkers.
Five years later, the practice has grown in ways I am incredibly proud of. We have expanded our team, opened a clinic space, and are now able to serve more families across the city. I continue to learn every day about running a business, leading a team, and most importantly, supporting infants and children with feeding, swallowing, speech, and occupational therapy needs.
Little Eaters & Talkers is the result of years of service, learning, and listening—and a continued commitment to helping children and families thrive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building Little Eaters & Talkers required stepping into roles I was never formally trained for: business owner, leader, marketer, and administrator, all while continuing to provide high-quality clinical care. Learning how to manage finances, hire and support a team, navigate uncertainty, and make decisions without a clear roadmap was challenging at times.
There were moments of doubt, especially during periods of growth, change, and risk. Balancing clinical work with the demands of running a business and doing so in a way that stayed true to my values. However, each challenge reinforced why the work mattered. The struggles pushed me to grow, seek mentorship, and build a practice grounded in collaboration, integrity, and family-centered care. Looking back, those challenges didn’t slow the journey, they shaped it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Little Eaters & Talkers?
Little Eaters & Talkers is a pediatric therapy practice dedicated to supporting infants, toddlers, and children with feeding, swallowing, speech, language, and developmental needs. We serve families both in-home and in our clinic, meeting children where they are—literally and developmentally—to provide care that fits real life.
Our team specializes in early feeding and swallowing, including bottle and breastfeeding challenges, transitioning to solids, picky eating, sensory-based feeding differences, and feeding concerns related to complex medical histories. We also provide speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and parent coaching, allowing us to support the whole child through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.
What sets Little Eaters & Talkers apart is our commitment to family-centered, relationship-based care. Feeding and communication are deeply personal, and we believe therapy should feel supportive, not stressful or rushed. We prioritize education, coaching, and collaboration with caregivers, empowering families with the tools and confidence they need beyond the therapy session. Many families come to us after feeling unheard or unsure, and one of our greatest strengths is helping them make sense of what’s happening and what comes next.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the culture we’ve built, one rooted in compassion, clinical excellence, and integrity. Our therapists are highly trained, curious, and deeply invested in continued learning. We value evidence-based practice, trauma-informed care, and respectful partnerships with families and other professionals.
What I want readers to know is that Little Eaters & Talkers is more than a therapy practice. It’s a place where children are seen as capable, families are supported as experts in their own lives, and progress is measured not just by milestones, but by confidence, connection, and joy at the table and beyond.
Any big plans?
Looking ahead, my focus is on intentional growth, expanding our impact while staying true to the values that Little Eaters & Talkers was built on. We plan to continue growing our multidisciplinary team and increasing access to care for families across the Houston area, both in-home and in our clinic, while maintaining the high level of quality and connection our families expect.
I am also excited about expanding our educational offerings for parents and professionals. This includes parent coaching, workshops, and digital resources that help families feel supported between sessions and long after therapy ends. Creating accessible, evidence-based education is an important next step in reaching families who may not yet know where to turn.
From a brand and leadership perspective, I am looking forward to strengthening our internal systems, mentorship, and therapist development.
Ultimately, the future of Little Eaters & Talkers is about sustainability and purpose. My goal is not rapid expansion for its own sake, but thoughtful growth that allows us to continue providing compassionate, family-centered care while helping shape the future of pediatric feeding and communication support in our community and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelittleeaters.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleeaters_talkers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleEatersTalkers/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-hawney-m-a-ccc-slp-bcss-cbis-clc-2032b01b/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Littleeatersandtalkers
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KjCpwRdwbd3WMCn4cYh73?si=da41784316dc4a48
Image Credits
Joie Renée Photography
