Finding Your Village as a Virtual SLP: How I Feel More Connected Than Ever
Guest Blog by Brittany Musholt of Little Moose Speech Therapy LLC
One of the first things people say when they hear I work virtually as an SLP is, “Don’t you feel lonely? I would miss the socialization and coworkers.”
And honestly? Nope. I’ve never felt more supported, more connected, or more part of a community than I do now.
Sure, I don’t have a traditional office, commute or in-person coworkers. And yes, connection takes a little more intention. But that intention has led me to deeper, more authentic, and more meaningful professional relationships than I ever had before.
But before I dive into my journey to connection & collaboration, I think it’s time I introduced myself!
Helloooooooo! My name is Brittany, owner of Little Moose Speech Therapy in St. Louis MO. I met Ellie (The Essential Teletherapist, aka this blog host!) years ago when we worked together in person as SLPs. Since that time, I have left the traditional Speech Therapy workforce and opened my own business. I now contract with schools virtually to provide teletherapy services, contract with SLPs to find them great schools, and so much more.
Little Moose Speech Therapy also offers professional consultations, parent education and training, private Speech Therapy and valuable resources for families and educators alike.
Oh, and I’m an author! I write a book series called Tales of Tails, inspired by our family dogs. I’ll also be releasing a book featuring Little Moose himself, coming 2026.
One more thing that I should’ve mentioned first: I’m a mom, raising the two sweetest boys with my husband (and unofficial CFO of Little Moose Speech Therapy!). You can learn more about us through my social media, linked here. On my page, I share relatable and realistic advice for parents, educators and anyone who wants to learn more about communication and make life a little easier as a mom or SLP.
Okay, so I just told you about a LOT of hats I wear in my business. So how do I find the time for connection, collaboration and community? Let’s dive in:
Putting in the Extra Effort (And Why It’s Worth It)
You don’t stumble into community when you’re a virtual SLP. You build it. You grow it. Just like every other aspect of your business and career.
Here are some of the ways I’ve created true coworker-energy, even from behind a screen:
• Being active in school chats.
I make it a point to pop into team chats, ask questions, offer support, and celebrate wins. Those tiny touchpoints add up. Letting my personality show through chat emojis and little quips has led me to building a reputation in my virtual contract district as someone who is approachable, reliable and authentic.
• Attending staff meetings and staying afterward.
I try to join whenever I can, even the optional ones. Staying a few minutes late to chat has sparked more friendships than anything else. This allows me to check in about students or the inner workings of a school and feel like I’m truly in the loop.
• Joining virtual staff gatherings.
Holiday parties, end-of-year celebrations, team lunches, all of it. I log in, I laugh, I snack at my desk, and I feel like part of the team.
These aren’t complicated things. They’re simple choices to stay present and stay on their minds. And being present, even virtually, invites connection.
Networking With Intention
In my business, my contract schools are just a fraction of my work life. The other avenues of Little Moose Speech Therapy (like private practice Speech Therapy, my children’s books, consultations and more) allow me additional opportunities for networking and connection.
To make sure I don’t slack on this, I made it a business goal to attend at least four networking events every year. Not because I have to, but because it fills my cup, grows my referral base, and introduces me to people who get what this work is.
The best networking events I’ve attended are ones that are tailored to people like me: moms, women, SLPs, etc. My favorite? Ones that are geared towards “mompreneurs”, mothers who own businesses and understand the struggle and balance required.
Sometimes I leave these events with a new collaborator. Other times I leave with a new friend. And other times it’s simply a new idea or a feeling of refresh. Every time, it’s worth it. (Oh, and it’s a business write off!)
The Biggest Key: Support People Without Expecting Anything Back
If there’s one thing that has helped me build my community more than anything else, it’s this:
I support people… simply to support people.
I cheer them on.
I show up to their trainings and launches.
I share their pages.
I celebrate their milestones.
I advocate for their businesses.
Not because I’m waiting for that support to come back to me, but because that’s the kind of connection I want to build in this field. To quote my girl Taylor Swift, “Other women who are killing it should motivate you, thrill you, challenge you and inspire you rather than threaten you and make you feel like you're immediately being compared to them".
And here’s the brutal truth about what happens when you operate that way:
Some people won’t reciprocate. And that’s okay. They aren’t your people.
But others? They will give back tenfold. Those are your people: the ones who become your village, your cheerleaders, your colleagues, and your friends.
It’s the simplest rule we learned in kindergarten:
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
An alternate quote for elder millennials? Okay it’s another Taylor Swift quote, this time a lyric: 🎵 Karma takes all my friends to the summit 🎵
And it’s true! You get what you give, and when you champion the people you love, you can ALL find success.
Something that I wish every SLP knew when starting their business? When this approach is who you are as a person and how you operate in your day to day, it naturally becomes who you are in business too. And that reputation will follow you and lead you to the profit and success you’re searching for.
More Practical Ways to Stay Connected as a Virtual SLP
If you’re looking for a few more simple ways to strengthen your professional community, try these:
1. Start a monthly virtual coworking hour.
Pick a time, open a Zoom link, work quietly, chat in the breaks. It’s shockingly effective for connection and productivity. Invite anyone you want! It could be your fellow SLP friends with non-traditional schedules, teachers at your district, etc.
2. Mentor newer SLPs or grad students.
A quick 30-minute conversation can make a huge difference to someone just starting out, and it often leads to long-term relationships.
3. Join or create niche group chats.
AAC specialists, EI therapists, school-based SLPs, teletherapy groups—whatever aligns with your work. Group chats create consistent, low-pressure community. I also love Facebook groups too. Just like I said earlier, though. You get what you give! Contribute without requiring something in return, and in time you’ll get that good karma back.
At the end of the work day, you don’t need a physical office to feel like part of something bigger. In fact, my home office feels more professional and “legit” than any closet, shared classroom (or mouse infested clinic office… yes, I'm serious!) I was forced into as an in-person SLP. You just need to show up for others and let others show up for you.
Want to Connect More?
If you’re craving more community as a virtual SLP, come hang out with me on Instagram here. If you show up in my messages, I’ll cheer you on just like I described above with no strings attached.
And if you’re looking for deeper professional support, want to talk business, or need help navigating the virtual SLP world, you can book a consultation with me here:
https://koalendar.com/e/slp-consultation. I have helped many SLPs find their niche, build their practice and gain the sense of professional and financial freedom they were promised in grad school but never found until now.
I’d love to support you, collaborate with you, and help you build the kind of community that makes working virtually feel anything but lonely.
If you want to learn more about what Little Moose Speech Therapy is all about, head over to my website here. I can’t wait to see whatcha think!
