Empowering Voices: Nikki Johnson's Journey from Education to Entrepreneurship

Nikki Johnson, owner of Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC, is deeply committed to providing speech and language therapy, executive functioning coaching and literacy instruction to children and their families in Rochester, NY and its surrounding communities.  Westside Speech and Language Pathology supports children from 3 years old thru 18 years old, and their families to help improve speech and language skills, celebrate their strengths and develop appropriate strategies/supports to enhance their lives. Nikki offers comprehensive speech and language evaluations, individualized speech therapy sessions, parent training/support, and support for local school districts as an independent contractor. She continues to stay up to date on the latest research and has extensive training in articulation, receptive/expressive language, social skills, apraxia, executive function, augmentative communication systems, reading and literacy interventions, and beyond. Nikki works to understand and celebrate each client’s own neurodiversity. 

With an extensive career spanning over 17 years, Nikki’s journey began with pivotal roles at various school districts in New York and Virginia, a non-profit providing academic support to children and families in Monroe County, and a K- 6th grade charter school in Rochester, NY.  Her dedication to assisting students facing communication, speech, literacy, and social challenges has remained steadfast as she continues to provide IEP services to students in various educational settings in Monroe County. By obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the State University of New York at Fredonia and a Master's degree from Towson University, Nikki solidified her expertise in the field.
 
Driven by a desire to make a positive difference in her community, Nikki ventured down the path of small business ownership, recognizing the urgent need for personalized communication and speech services. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, she sought business advisement from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SUNY Brockport. The SBDC provided assistance exploring funding opportunities to conducting business formation comparisons and leveraging cutting-edge strategies like artificial intelligence for social media enhancement. “I am confident in my proficiencies as a speech therapist, although I acknowledged areas where I needed assistance, specifically in business. The SBDC provided guidance to help me navigate this next chapter of my professional journey," she stated.
 
Nikki transitioned from a seasoned speech-language pathologist to a thriving small business owner of Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC. By empowering individuals through effective communication, she not only realized her entrepreneurial aspirations but also continues to make a positive change within her community. "My journey into entrepreneurship is driven by my commitment to support my community and empowering children to reach their true potential. With Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC, I aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the kids, families, and community I serve.”

​For further information about Westside Speech and Language Pathology PLLC, please contact​ https://westsidespeechandlanguage.org/and follow us on Facebook weblink.