We recently had the chance to connect with Selina Fowler-Patrick and have shared our conversation below.
Selina, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
The cicadas we have in Houston right now! It may sound crazy to some, but I LOVE them! Every evening I sit outside, close my eyes and take a “sound bath” as I call it to the music of all the cicadas singing around me. For me, it’s a peaceful and relaxing experience that connects me with nature and it’s a great way to end the day!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! I’m Selina, a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Sprinkle of Speech – a preschool speech and language enrichment program offered in childcare centers. I found that so many of our little ones can benefit from the expertise of an SLP without necessarily qualifying for services through insurance or meeting eligibility criteria under their zoned public school campus. Since most homes have two working parents nowadays, expecting them to add one more extracurricular activity to their family schedule seemed an impossible task. I also wanted a business that didn’t require much in the way of start up costs. So, after considering all of those things I came up with my program as a way for all kids to access speech and language services (no diagnosis needed), as well as make it easily integrated into their day at daycare or preschool. I also wanted it to be as cost-effective as possible so I could serve as many kids in my community as I could before they got to kindergarten.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Great question! The answer that immediately comes to mind is my comfort zone. That place we all have that tells us we’re doing just fine, and that we shouldn’t take risks. I think as I’ve gotten older and bolder, started a business in “mid-life,” and realize that I can trust life to unfold before me, my comfort zone has all but disappeared. I realize now that even if a decision turns out to be a wrong one, I can just make another decision! Keeping all these things in mind helps me to challenge myself and stay out of my comfort zone when it comes to my business.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
What suffering teaches all of us – to be grateful for what we have. I think if life were nothing but a series of successes, we’d never know how good we have it. When I wake my kids up in the morning, the first thing I say is, “we’ve received another day! think of 3 things you’re grateful for before you open your eyes!” They’re 10 and 14, so they groan a bit but I know it’s one of those things that’ll stick with them.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
Oh, I love this question! By far it would be Dr. Teresa Ukrainetz. Her research has led to the literacy-based therapy approach I use for Sprinkle of Speech, including the five-step framework to teach speech and language skills embedded within the book we’re reading. Without her work, I don’t think I would’ve ever begun using books to teach communication – but the research has proven it true due to her efforts.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
This seems like a question that has a lesson in its answer! The first thing that comes to mind is – stop worrying about how things will work out. If I had a surefire cutoff date for this lifetime, I think I’d be more apt to try most everything I wanted to without too much concern for the consequences. Following my gut feeling has worked out well for me so far- it’d be a busy decade! But, I’m thinking I have another 40-50 years to do my life’s work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sprinkleofspeech.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sprinkle_of_speech/?igsh=OWFkdmlocTk3ZHhu&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557493802437
