Turning Expertise Into Opportunity: Private Practice, Speaking, and Beyond with Sydney Bassard

Oct 18

There’s a moment most clinicians hit where the path in front of them feels both clear and unsettling at the same time.

You know what you’re good at. You know what lights you up. And yet there’s this quiet pressure telling you to play it safe. See everyone. Say yes to everything. Wait your turn. Don’t niche too fast. Don’t put yourself out there yet.

This conversation with Sydney Bassard reminded me why that advice so often leads to burnout instead of fulfillment.

Sydney is a speech-language pathologist, private practice owner, author, speaker, and educator. But more than that, she’s someone who has consistently chosen alignment over fear, even when it would have been easier to blend in or stay quiet.

Her story is a powerful example of what can happen when you trust your expertise, build real relationships, and let your values guide your business decisions.

Specializing early and trusting the long game

Sydney started her private practice just a couple of years out of graduate school. And instead of casting a wide net, she specialized early in hearing loss and literacy.

That choice alone goes against what many clinicians are told. There’s often an underlying belief that narrowing your focus means limiting your income or opportunities. Sydney’s experience proves the opposite.

By being clear about what she was best at and who she served, she was able to build stronger referral relationships, market more effectively, and become known for something specific. Families didn’t have to guess whether she was the right fit. Providers knew exactly when to send clients her way.

Specialization didn’t box her in. It gave her clarity.

Marketing that’s built on connection, not performance

One of the most grounded parts of our conversation was around marketing and social media.

Sydney doesn’t believe in hacking algorithms or chasing trends. Her approach is simple and honest. Share useful information. Be clear about the value. Show up in a way that feels sustainable for your life.

She’s adjusted how she shows up online over the years. Early on, she was more forward-facing and personal. As her life changed, so did her boundaries. Now her content leans more educational and graphic-based, without losing the human element.

The takeaway here is important. There is no single right way to show up online. You don’t need to copy someone else’s strategy to be successful. You need to understand your audience, your purpose, and what you’re actually trying to build.

Community matters more than follower count. A small group of engaged people who trust you will always outperform a large audience that doesn’t connect.

Why networking still matters more than social media

One of the strongest themes in this episode was networking. Not the awkward, transactional kind. The human kind.

Sydney’s speaking opportunities, collaborations, and publishing work didn’t come from going viral. They came from consistent relationship building. Sending the email. Saying hello first. Following up. Staying connected.

She shared something that I think a lot of clinicians need to hear. Many opportunities don’t come from being the loudest voice online. They come from being known as someone who shows up with integrity, clarity, and follow-through.

Your resume, your reputation, and your relationships still matter. Social media can support that work, but it doesn’t replace it.

Expanding beyond the therapy room

Sydney’s business today includes private practice work, speaking, writing, training, and collaboration with companies in the field. None of it happened overnight.

She presented at conferences before she was ever invited. She spoke for free before she was paid. She built a body of work before expecting recognition for it.

There’s an important mindset shift here. Expansion doesn’t start with permission. It starts with participation.

If you want to speak, apply. If you want to write, pitch. If you want to collaborate, reach out. Waiting to be chosen often keeps talented clinicians stuck far longer than necessary.

Navigating setbacks without losing yourself

Not every collaboration works out. Not every relationship stays aligned. Sydney was open about the challenges she’s faced and how those moments shaped her boundaries and decision-making.

What stood out to me most was her willingness to let go of being right in favor of staying grounded. That’s not easy, especially for people who care deeply about their work and their values.

Running a business will test you. You’ll face misunderstandings, unfair narratives, and situations that feel deeply personal. Growth comes from learning when to speak up, when to tighten your systems, and when to move forward without dragging the story with you.

Integrity has a way of speaking for itself over time.

Advice for clinicians just getting started

When I asked Sydney what she’d say to someone graduating and dreaming of building a similar career, her answer was refreshingly practical.

Build relationships early. Stay connected to professors. Keep in touch with peers. Say hello first. Don’t wait to be discovered.

And spend time getting clear on what you actually want your life to look like. Not just your job title, but your day-to-day reality.

Careers are built through small, consistent actions. Sending the message. Asking the question. Trying the thing, even when it’s imperfect.

Let your expertise lead

This episode isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what fits.

Sydney’s journey shows that when you lead with expertise, clarity, and connection, opportunities have a way of unfolding naturally. You don’t have to chase every path. You just have to walk yours with intention.

If you’re feeling the pull to specialize, speak, write, or expand beyond the therapy room, let this be your reminder that it’s possible to build a business that reflects who you are and what you value.

And that starting where you are is more than enough.