Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Manriquez Lujan.
Hi Tanya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I, Tanya Manriquez Lujan, M.S.,CCC-SLP, COM™ am a Bilingual speech-language pathologist and certified orofacial myologist with 13 years experience.
started my 1st private practice in Odessa TX 10 years ago, before branching out to Austin in Fall of 2023. The clinic assesses and treats a variety of disorders including speech ,language, feeding, swallowing and orofacial myofunctional disorders. I attended Abilene Christian University for my undergraduate work with a Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and attained my Master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University in 2011. My experience includes working in public and private schools, home health, outpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing facilities. I started a pediatric outpatient speech therapy clinic at Odessa Regional Medical Center in Odessa, TX in June of 2014, before starting my own private practice in February of 2016. I have experience in working with a variety of neurogenic and acquired diseases and disorders that affect our human communication abilities, eating/swallowing and quality of life. I evaluate and treat all ages across the lifespan. I am one of the handful of dually certified “Speech-language pathologist, and Certified Orofacial Myologist” in Texas, currently. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has done 2 stories on my success as a small business owner.
Our Austin team has 3 speech-language pathologists, including myself. We serve South and West Austin and have plans to expand into other areas of Austin in the coming years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Starting out alone with limited funds was dissuading at times. Initially when I opened my clinic, I was the receptionist, custodian, marketer, and therapist, all in one. It was a valuable learning experience.
Then as I grew, it was a challenge to fill positions, and meet the high demand and need of our valuable services. We outgrew out initial office space, and I built my 1st commercial building from the ground up. It was hard work.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a private practice speech therapy clinic. We see all ages across the lifespan, from newborn to 99! We treat a variety of disorders, neurogenic and acquired. We evaluate and treat feeding, swallowing, speech, language and cognitive disorders. We work to treat and rehabilitate communication in diagnosis such as Strokes, Autism, and childhood speech and language delays and disorders, including feeding/swallowing disorders. We specialize on orofacial myofunctional disorders, which asses and treat the underlying oral muscle disorders that many times contribute to speech and feeding disorders, including tethered oral tissues (tongue ties). We accept most insurances, including Medicaid.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice is not to be afraid to reach out to people with experience in your field or others who have had success, in any other area. I have done a lot of groundwork and business research to help my businesses grow. I have made a lot of mistakes and learned many lessons along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thrivetherapytexas.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivetherapyoftexas/
