We recently connected with Hannah Zimmerman and have shared our conversation below.

Hannah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I can honestly say that being a business owner has brought me so much joy and fulfillment — but it’s not without its hard days. I think anyone who runs a small business knows that it’s a mix of deep purpose and, at times, deep exhaustion. There are moments where I’ll catch myself thinking, “Wow, it would be nice to just clock out at five and leave it all behind for the night.”
The last time I really had that thought was probably after a long day of back-to-back sessions, followed by paperwork, phone calls, and prepping for the next day. It was one of those evenings where my laptop was open far later than I wanted it to be, and I had this brief moment of imagining what it would feel like to have a “regular” job — one with neat boundaries and predictable hours.
But even in that tired moment, I found myself smiling. Because the truth is, I get to do work that feels deeply meaningful to me. I get to build relationships with incredible families, see clients grow in confidence, and create a space that reflects my values. That’s not something I could do in the same way working for someone else.
Owning Just Once has stretched me in every possible way — personally, professionally, emotionally. It’s taught me patience, creativity, and how to hold both the beauty and the messiness of growth at the same time. And yes, there are days when it’s overwhelming, but there’s also this steady undercurrent of gratitude.
So while the idea of a “regular job” sometimes crosses my mind, I always come back to this: I wouldn’t trade the freedom to shape my work, connect deeply with families, and live out my mission for anything. The hard days remind me how much I care — and that’s something I’m really proud of.

Hannah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Just Once, where we provide in-home and community-based speech and language services for children and young adults with complex communication needs. I work with individuals from birth through young adulthood — kids with apraxia, autism, sensory processing differences, gestalt language processors, AAC users — and really, anyone who communicates in their own unique way.
I got into this field because I’ve always been fascinated by communication — how it connects us, shapes who we are, and gives us access to the world. Early in my career, I realized how powerful speech therapy could be when it centered around relationships and real-life connection, not just structured drills or worksheets. That’s what led me to create Just Once — a practice built around people, not programs.
What sets us apart is our focus on meeting families exactly where they are — both literally and emotionally. Therapy might happen at the kitchen table, in a backyard, or at the park — because communication happens everywhere. We offer speech and language evaluations, therapy and feeding sessions, group sessions, summer fun groups, and caregiver consultations. But more than that, we offer partnership. We want parents and caregivers to feel heard, to ask questions, share their hopes and struggles, and truly be part of the process.
Our ultimate goal is to help clients build meaningful, independent lives — through communication, self-advocacy, and confidence. We presume potential and hold high expectations for every client, while always leading with respect. That means how we speak to our clients, about them, and how we show up for them every day.
At the heart of everything we do is connection. We take time to really get to know each client and family — what motivates them, what matters to them — so therapy feels personal, purposeful, and empowering. And as a team, we’re committed to lifelong learning. We’re constantly growing, reflecting, and finding ways to serve our clients even better.
What I’m most proud of is seeing those “aha” moments — the spark when a client uses a new word, advocates for themselves, or shares a thought in a way that’s truly theirs. That’s the heart of Just Once — helping people find their voice, in whatever form that takes.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Honestly, the best source of new clients for me has always been word of mouth. Most families find Just Once through referrals — from former colleagues, other professionals in the community, or even past clients that I used to work with in different settings.

That means a lot to me, because it tells me that the connections I’ve built over the years have left a lasting impact. When a parent or a fellow therapist recommends me, it’s not just about the services I offer — it’s about trust. They know how much I care about the families I work with, and that I’ll always show up with respect, collaboration, and heart.

There’s something really special about that kind of growth. It’s slower and more organic than advertising, but it feels so genuine. Every new client who comes through a personal referral already feels like they’re joining a community that believes in what we’re doing — and that’s exactly the kind of foundation I want for Just Once.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn — and honestly, I’m still unlearning it — is imposter syndrome. When I first started Just Once, I kept finding myself questioning whether I was “qualified enough” or “ready enough” to run my own practice. I’d look around and think everyone else seemed to have it all figured out, while I was just trying to keep all the pieces in motion.

There was a lot of pressure I put on myself to be perfect — to have every answer, to never make mistakes, to prove that I belonged. But over time, I realized that waiting until you feel 100% ready means you’ll never actually start. Growth doesn’t come from knowing it all — it comes from showing up, staying curious, and learning as you go.

What’s helped the most is remembering why I do this work. When I’m with a client or talking with a family, that self-doubt quiets down. I see the progress, the connection, the trust — and it reminds me that expertise isn’t about having every credential or answer, it’s about caring deeply and continually learning.

So, imposter syndrome is still something I work through, but I’ve learned to see it as a sign that I’m pushing myself into new territory — and that’s exactly where growth happens.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.justonce-slp.com
• Instagram: @just.once.slp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/just.once.slp
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-zimmerman-ma-ccc-slp-2890672b2/