The Power of Imperfect Action with Farwa Husain

Dec 19

There is a quiet question that creeps in for so many clinicians.
Who am I to start a practice? Who am I to create something new?

I hear it all the time, and if I am honest, I have asked it myself. That is why my conversation with Farwa Husain felt so grounding. Her story is not about confidence magically appearing or everything falling neatly into place. It is about taking imperfect action anyway and trusting that clarity comes from movement, not waiting.

When Farwa and I first met, she was standing at the very beginning of her private practice journey. She was unsure, nervous, and trying to find her footing after stepping away from the field. Today, she runs a thriving private practice and created First Phrases, a platform that is changing how clinicians support neurodivergent children. None of it happened because she waited until she felt ready.

Starting before you feel ready

Farwa did not start her practice with a five year plan or a perfectly polished vision. She started with one child and a simple desire to serve families in a way that felt more aligned. Like many stay at home parents, she had lost touch with her own identity outside of caring for her family. COVID brought that tension to the surface, and instead of ignoring it, she listened.

That choice mattered.

She returned to the field not to prove anything, but to reconnect with work that felt meaningful. Her practice grew because she focused on one thing at a time and allowed it to evolve. She did not try to help everyone. She trusted her gut when something did not feel like the right fit. That discernment created better outcomes for her clients and more sustainability for her business.

Building referrals through connection, not competition

One of the most powerful parts of Farwa’s story is how she built her referral network. She did not hide or wait to be discovered. She reached out to other clinicians and practices, even when it felt uncomfortable. Not from a place of taking, but from a place of collaboration.

She led with education. She shared what she was doing differently. She asked how she could support others.

That mindset changed everything. Instead of competition, she created community. Referrals followed naturally because people trusted her and understood her values. The few moments of resistance she encountered did not stop her. They clarified her commitment to collaboration over comparison.

This is something I see again and again. When you lead with service and connection, your business grows in ways that feel lighter and more aligned.

Listening to your why when things get hard

Farwa’s journey into entrepreneurship did not come from chasing an idea. It came from noticing a gap in her own daily work. She saw that the tools available for autistic and neurodivergent children did not match how their brains learn. So she started experimenting inside her practice. She paid attention to what worked. She listened when other clinicians asked questions.

First Phrases grew because it solved a real problem.

What stood out to me most was how openly Farwa talked about letting go of perfection. Research matters. Thoughtfulness matters. But waiting until something feels flawless can keep you stuck. She set deadlines, put her work into the world, and allowed it to improve through use and feedback.

That willingness to move forward, even when things went wrong, is what kept her going. Broken boxes. Last minute fixes. Emotional setbacks. None of it meant she was doing it wrong. It meant she was doing something real.

Imperfect action creates momentum

There is a moment in every business where something does not go as planned. Farwa spoke honestly about crying, taking breaks, and leaning on her support system. She also spoke about getting back up and continuing because her why was bigger than the setback.

That is the difference. When your motivation is rooted in service and meaning, challenges become bumps instead of roadblocks.

Her reminder to do it scared landed deeply. Fear does not disappear when you wait. It softens when you act. Each small step builds trust in yourself.

A grounded reminder for clinicians and practice owners

If you are at the beginning of something, or standing at the edge of a new idea, this conversation is for you. You do not need to have it all figured out. You do not need permission. You need clarity about who you are serving and the courage to start before you feel ready.

Imperfect action is not a flaw. It is the path forward.

Farwa’s story is proof that when you lead with purpose, connection, and trust in yourself, growth follows in ways you cannot always predict, but you can absolutely build.