We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Elina Skripochnik recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Skripochnik, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

I always dreamed of owning my own practice and becoming the go-to neighborhood physical therapist. But for years, I assumed it was a daunting undertaking that was out of reach. I worked in outpatient clinics and specialized preschools, but I felt restricted by insurance limitations and rigid policies that prevented me from treating clients the way I knew was best.

With my family’s encouragement, I started sharing activities on Instagram—first for my daughter, who was struggling with gross motor skills, and later for parents looking to keep their kids active during COVID. Through podcasts and articles, I also began advocating for the importance of movement in childhood development. It was during COVID and after a move to a new town that I decided I would start my own practice.

Starting from scratch was overwhelming. I had just moved to a new town where I had no ties, and I had to figure out everything on my own—client intake forms, legal documents, marketing, and business logistics. Without a blueprint, I spent countless hours researching best practices, ensuring I was both compliant and providing the best experience for my clients. Marketing in an unfamiliar community was a challenge, so I put myself out there in every way possible. I engaged in local Facebook mom groups, consistently posted on social media, and attended networking events and family-focused community gatherings to introduce myself in person. I offered free classes to showcase my approach, collaborated with other specialists to bring new programs to the community, and built a strong referral network of pediatricians, therapists, and other providers. Over time, I not only established a practice but also a trusted community where families could find support, resources, and expert care. Slowly, word spread—clients began recommending me, and a pediatrician who aligned with my treatment style started referring families. The more families I helped, the more I saw the impact of running a practice on my own terms—it was exhausting but deeply fulfilling.

I also realized the power of networking. I had already been doing it on behalf of my clients—connecting them with other providers, introducing families for support, and running playgroups to build a sense of community. It was a natural progression to co-found Speed Networking LLC with my partner to help other female owned small businesses connect through curated networking events. Not only was I able to support other female-owned businesses, but I also formed lasting connections that helped my own practice grow.

The biggest challenges I faced were setting up proper contracts, legal documents, and business systems—things I had no formal training in. Looking back, I wish I had sought help earlier instead of trying to figure it all out alone. My advice to any new professional starting their own practice? Outsource when you can. Find a good lawyer to help with contracts and documents, or a marketing specialist if thats an area you are unfamiliar with so that you can focus on what you do best—your profession. Be excellent at what you do, and your work will speak for itself. And when you network, your work will also speak to others, who will help spread the word.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a pediatric physical therapist, and my passion for working with children started early. As a high school student, I shadowed my pediatrician and knew I wanted a career centered around helping children. When I later shadowed a pediatric physical therapist, I fell in love with the profession—not just because of the science behind movement, but because of the deep connections built with families. Unlike many other healthcare services, pediatric physical therapy involves working with children and their parents over an extended period. This allows me to truly get to know each child, celebrate their progress, and support their families throughout their journey.

In my practice, I help children develop strength, coordination, and confidence through play-based therapy that is tailored to their individual needs. Whether I’m working with an infant learning to roll over, a toddler taking their first steps, or a child overcoming movement challenges, my goal is always the same: to help them discover what their bodies are capable of. One of my favorite moments is witnessing a child light up with joy when they master a skill they’ve been working so hard to achieve.

What sets me apart is my creativity, adaptability, and connection with children. If a strategy isn’t working, I pivot instantly, finding new and engaging ways to motivate my clients. I believe therapy should be fun and empowering, and I strive to create an environment where kids feel excited to move and explore. I also take a holistic, community-driven approach, working closely with families, pediatricians, and other specialists to ensure every child gets the comprehensive support they need.

My journey to private practice wasn’t straightforward. After years of feeling constrained by insurance restrictions and rigid policies in outpatient clinics and specialized preschools, I knew I needed to create a space where I could provide care in the way I believed was most effective.

Building my practice from the ground up was challenging. Moving to a new town during the pandemic meant I had no local connections, so I had to work hard to introduce myself to the community. I marketed myself through social media, networking events, free community classes, and collaborations with other specialists to bring new programming to families. Over time, I built a trusted referral network and a community where families could find support, resources, and expert care.

Beyond my practice, I also co-founded Speed Networking LLC, a business dedicated to helping small business owners—particularly women entrepreneurs—connect and grow through curated networking events. Just as I help families build supportive communities, I’m passionate about fostering connections among business owners so they can support each other’s success.

At the heart of my work is my commitment to helping children thrive—not just physically, but emotionally and socially as well. I want potential clients and families to know that when they work with me, they are not just getting physical therapy; they are getting a dedicated partner who will celebrate every milestone with them. I believe that every child is stronger than they know, and my mission is to help them discover that strength through movement, play, and confidence-building experiences.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I built my reputation through expertise, trust, community engagement, and word-of-mouth referrals. Families trust me because they see real progress in their children, and I prioritize educating and empowering parents to support their child’s development.

Consistency and visibility also played a big role. I used social media, especially Instagram, to share valuable content and establish myself as a trusted expert. During COVID, I provided free movement activities, which helped me connect with families before they needed my services.

Beyond online presence, I also actively engaged with my local community. I attended networking events, collaborated with other specialists, and hosted free classes to introduce families to my approach. By partnering with pediatricians, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, I built a referral network that strengthened my credibility and expanded my reach. Hosting my own networking events helped other professionals connect with each other as well, and create a community that I am proud to be a part of.

Ultimately, my reputation has grown through exceptional care, meaningful relationships, and proven results. By staying engaged and always putting my clients first, I’ve become a trusted pediatric physical therapist in my community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One moment that truly tested my resilience was when I decided to start my private practice after moving to a new town during the pandemic. I had no local connections, no referral sources, and no established reputation in the community. I knew that building a client base from scratch would be an uphill battle, but I was determined to make it work.

I put myself out there in every way possible—posting consistently on social media, engaging in local Facebook mom groups, attending networking events, and introducing myself to pediatricians and other specialists. I also hosted free community classes to showcase my approach and connect with families. There were moments of doubt, times when I questioned if people would trust me without knowing me, but I kept showing up.

This experience taught me that resilience is about persistence, adaptability, and belief in yourself. By continuing to show up, even when things felt uncertain, I was able to build something meaningful—not just a practice, but a trusted community for the families I serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elinaphysicaltherapy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elinadpt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elina-skripochnik-pt-dpt-35382785