Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara and John McCormick.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After having our 5th child and working in the field of Pediatric OT for more than 11 years, we thought we would start my own center so I could set my own hours and still do what I love to do while raising our children. Little did I know that after just the first week of opening the doors my numbers doubled from 10 to 20 clients and then by the end of the first month up to 42 clients. I grew up in Nebraska on a farm with my 12 brothers and sisters so I knew how to work hard and balance life so I thought nothing of it. My reputation grew quickly as I had worked at another clinic in the area and had many clients follow me and refer their friends, families, and acquaintances. As the clinic grew we moved into a new space within the year and hired 2 more full time therapist. Over the last 10 years we have serviced thousands of children and employee 3 full time therapist, an office manager, and 15 per diem occupational and speech therapists.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Running a business and raising 5 kids is never an easy task. I feel some of the biggest challenges we have faced however has been with the changing regulations of insurance and always staying on top of best practices for small businesses. We want to be known as not only a great facility for children to receive services but also as a great place to work. We believe that happy employees are just as important so we try to be competitive with larger facilities in regards to employee benefits, compensation, and atmosphere.
The Kioko Center for Pediatric Occupational and Speech Therapy Services – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a pediatric Occupational and Speech therapy center that services kids with a wide base of needs i.e. Autism, ASD, ADHD, ADD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Down’s syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delays, learning Disabilities, Apraxia, language delays, auditory processing disorders and many other diagnoses. It is a sensory integration clinic with excellent therapist trained or certified in both Sensory Integration therapy and Neurodevelopmental Therapy. Our staff is trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques and we are always seeking further training to stay on top of our skills and service our children to the best of our abilities. The thing that sets us apart from other centers is not only our large sensory gym area where children get the chance to work with each other in a unique social setting but also the family like atmosphere we foster with our clients and staff. We are not just treating the individual child and his or her needs but working in collaboration with the child’s family, extended family, but also the child’s teachers, therapists, doctors, and other professionals that are also a part of that child’s life. We understand the commitment it takes for these parents to carry over learned strategies in the home and community so we are always available for meetings, emails, and phone calls to help them further problem solve the varying issues they encounter in all aspects of their lives.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success by the smiles on the children’s faces, the hugs we as therapist receive, the amazing feedback and words of gratitude our children and their families share with us when they work with our staff. I would also define success as having employees who love to come to work every day!
Contact Info:
- Address: 820 Turnpike Street Suite 104
North Andover, MA 01845 - Website: www.kiokocenter.com
- Phone: 978-681-6605
- Email: kioko@kiokocenter.com or tara@kiokocenter.com
- Facebook: kiokocenter
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