Kym Larson was a college student with a passionate interest in learning what makes people tick, when she earned extra money as an ABA therapist for autistic children. She noticed the incredible amount of time the children\u2019s parents spent taking the child from one appointment to another. These children needed help with speech pathology, counseling, testing, tutoring, physical and occupational therapy and more. The parents were desperate to help their children but had little down time to just be with them, enjoying and nurturing their natural personalities. Larson, knew there had to be a better way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An Idea Still Percolating<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While working towards<\/strong> her doctorate in neuropsychology and practicing for a number of years, Dr. Larson time and again saw parents struggle to navigate a complex system of services required to help their children achieve success. She realized how the \u201csystem\u201d was tedious and complex for parents and children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That idea she had in undergrad was still percolating. Wouldn\u2019t it be great for the families of struggling children if they could get all their services in one place? And, Larson thought, what if that place were comfy and cozy: A fun place to be instead of a sterile, bland clinic? <\/p>\n\n\n\n What if the service providers\u2014the therapists, neuropsychologists, tutors, OT\u2019s and speech pathologists\u2014just wore regular clothes, like the children’s parents and teachers, instead of lab coats and suits that made them look like intimidating scientists or menacing professionals? After all, Larson reasoned, children need to feel comfortable and safe in order to learn and grow, and the clinical uniforms didn\u2019t really serve any purpose other than making the office look more, well, clinical, and maybe intimidating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How Marvelous Minds Came to Be<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Larson, who hails from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, returned to her home town to raise her own family after completing her education and gaining valuable work experience as a neuropsychologist. In 2017 her idea became a reality and she opened her dream clinic and named it Marvelous Minds: the place where children and families could access a plethora of services all under one roof in an environment that was warm, inviting, entertaining and pleasant. That\u2019s what she envisioned all those years ago as a young college student and everything seemed to be in place for success. Except there was a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Growth as a Barrier <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When the doors opened and Marvelous Minds became a reality, the problem wasn\u2019t lack of customers or resources, it was growth. Fast growth. \u201cThe speed with which our practice has grown took me by surprise,\u201d said Larson. \u201cI thought I would have time to learn about running a business while my practice grew, but it happened so fast, I could barely keep up. They don\u2019t teach you how to run a business in grad school, the focus is purely clinical.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, Larson found the Innovation DuPage Owner-to-CEO accelerator program which was the perfect resource to meet Larson\u2019s need to learn what she needed to know to continue on her road to success. The program allows business owners of all kinds to come together, learn from experts in a variety of topics like finance, human resources, marketing, distribution and more, as well as from one another. The group forms a cohort that shares what works and what doesn\u2019t in a non-competitive, friendly and collegial environment at Innovation DuPage twice weekly for twelve weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larson said, \u201cThe program was like a mini-MBA. It came at the perfect time for me. I didn\u2019t know what I didn\u2019t know about running a business until I enrolled in the program. But one of the best things about it was getting to know the other business owners and taking advantage of the other programs Innovation DuPage offers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, Larson\u2019s employees are also taking advantage of the classes and workshops offered by Innovation DuPage, so they too can learn what they need to know\u2014from digital marketing to website analytics\u2014to help Marvelous Minds continue on their trajectory toward success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marvelous Minds Is Hiring, Welcoming New Customers, Growing and Helping Children<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Larson\u2019s Marvelous Minds is not only growing, it\u2019s thriving. Parents who are concerned about the development of their children\u2014whether struggling in school, suffering from anxious, forgetful or impulsive behavior or myriad other diagnoses from ADHD to cognitive and motor disorders, even substance abuse\u2014can find help under one roof at Marvelous Minds. Under the watchful eye of a range of high-level professionals from occupational therapists to speech pathologists to tutors and parent coaches to neuropsychologists (including Dr. Larson), the whole child is treated to improve behaviors and outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Larson said, \u201cThe biggest surprise in running a business, in addition to meeting my five-year plan in one year, was finding out how much I\u2019m enjoying building a business. I knew there\u2019d be a huge learning curve, but I didn\u2019t know how fast I would need to learn it, and how many mistakes I could have made along the way. I\u2019m still learning, but it\u2019s fantastic to know Innovation DuPage is here to help when I get stuck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marvelous Minds Working Marvelous Miracles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What she already knows is how much Marvelous Minds is helping her patients and their families. Larson said, \u201cBringing one-multi-disciplinary team to handle everything a struggling child might need and having all the services together under one roof\u2014speech, OT, behavioral, parent coaching, psych\u2014is so rewarding. I love to say, \u2018Let\u2019s go across the hall and talk to that person,\u201d when it becomes clear through our work that another service is needed. As far as I know, an organization like this didn\u2019t exist before Marvelous Minds. I love that we can treat kids and their parents, see them thrive and watch as they become all they can be with our help. That is why we are here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is that joy and optimism, not to mention smarts, that is attracting new patients to Marvelous Minds in Glen Ellyn. As the practice continues to add new therapists and services, and continues to grow, it is enjoying a reputation for innovation in its field. That and the gratitude of parents who\u2019ve finally found the help they need to watch the little marvelous minds in their households reach their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Larson added, \u201cIf you (or anyone you know) is looking for a marvelous career to change lives and empower families, contact me today. We are currently looking for pediatric and family therapists, an occupational therapist, a neuropsychologist, and special education tutors and advocates. Come join our \u2018marvelous\u2019 family!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n Kym Larson was a college student with a passionate interest in learning what makes people tick, when she earned extra money as an ABA therapist for autistic children. She noticed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1798,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,25],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n