Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melanie Evans. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Melanie, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Becoming Pediatric Speech Sister

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Speech-language pathology is an industry that revolves around communication sciences and disorders. During my studies at Howard University, I became aware of the disparities experienced by African-American children in the education system. Now, as a practicing clinician, I understand just how ill-prepared speech-pathologists are when it comes to treating multicultural students, despite the emphasis on cultural competency in our Code of Ethics.

When George Floyd was executed on national television, my rage and disappointment prompted me to create a post titled “5 Ways to Support Black and Brown Children in Clinical and Educational Settings.” The post received over a thousand likes! Shocked by the feedback and the response to the research I presented online, I decided to create an online business that focuses on cultural competency and closing the academic achievement gap.

The Pediatric Speech Sister brand offers a range of resources, including podcasts, YouTube discussions, eBooks, and online courses aimed at cultivating cultural humility and competency (cultural competemility) in our field. By providing accessible and engaging resources, we aim to empower speech-language pathologists with the knowledge and skills they need to provide effective care for children from diverse backgrounds.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As a graduate student in 2019, I never could have imagined that my clinical externship supervisor would convince me to create a business page that would change my life forever. That’s how Pediatric Speech Sister was born. Initially, I used the platform to post updates about my journey to becoming a speech-language pathologist, as well as the different activities I used during speech therapy.

But everything changed in 2020 after the political unrest in the United States, particularly in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was then that Pediatric Speech Sister transformed into a platform for speech pathologists and educators to collaborate on ways to practice cultural humility. It was a natural progression that came from a deep desire to make a difference in the world.

And so, I created the post, “5 Ways to Support Black and Brown Children in Clinical and Educational Settings.” It was a turning point for the Pediatric Speech Sister Instagram page, which grew from 500 to almost 2,000 followers. The response was overwhelming and showed me the power of using social media as a tool for change.

For those who are waiting to get started as entrepreneurs on social media, I have a simple message: get started! The next step is to create and post content that is authentic to you. Don’t worry about the haters or the perceived competition. The impact you can have is worth it. I’ve attracted national and international opportunities that have allowed me to speak on various platforms and share messages I feel most passionate about.

After you’ve made the decision to post often, do it consistently! Show up for yourself and your audience and trust that your words have an impact. Remember that you have a unique voice and perspective that the world needs to hear. Don’t be afraid to share it with the world. With time and effort, you too can make a real difference and attract life-changing opportunities while making an impact.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

When it comes to my entrepreneurial and spiritual journeys, there are a few books that stand out as true game-changers. These are the books that have shaped my thinking and philosophy in profound ways, and that continue to inspire and motivate me today.

One of the first books that had a big impact on me was The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer. This book taught me the importance of focusing on my intentions and creating a clear vision for my life and my business. It helped me to see that success is not just about hard work, but also about having a positive mindset and aligning my actions with my goals.

Another book that I found incredibly inspiring was Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice by Dennis Kimbro and Napoleon Hill. This book challenged many of the limiting beliefs that I had about money and success, and helped me to see that with the right mindset and strategies, anything is possible.

Becoming by Michelle Obama was another book that had a big impact on me. Reading about her journey from a working-class family to the White House was truly inspiring, and helped me to see that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.

Deep Work by Cal Newport taught me the importance of focus and concentration in achieving my goals. It helped me to see that in order to be successful, I need to be able to shut out distractions and devote my full attention to the task at hand.

It’s Not Your Money by Tosha Silver was a book that helped me to see that my relationship with money was holding me back. It taught me that by letting go of my fears and attachments around money, I could open myself up to new opportunities and experiences.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg was another book that had a big impact on me. It taught me the importance of building positive habits and routines, and helped me to see that success is not just about big breakthroughs, but also about the small daily actions that add up over time.

Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan were two more books that taught me the importance of focusing on my strengths and delegating tasks to others. They helped me to see that in order to be successful, I need to surround myself with people who can help me achieve my goals.

Finally, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz was a book that helped me to see that success is not just about talent or intelligence, but also about having a positive mindset and the courage to take risks.

Along with these books, I highly recommend immersing yourself in a new culture to get new perspectives. My three months in Guatemala as a Spanish school student was life-changing and transformative, and helped me to see the world in a whole new way.

Contact Info:

• Website: melanieevansslp.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pediatricpseechsister
• Facebook: facebook.com/pediatricspeechsister
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/melanieyvonneevans
• Twitter: twitter.com/pedspeechsister
• Youtube: youtube.com/@pediatricspeechsisternetwork