By Luba Patlakh
Immigrant grit, resilience, and the fire to create change pushed me from chasing stories to rewriting my own as the founder of one of Philly’s fastest-growing pediatric practices.
I never set out to become a speech-language pathologist, let alone the founder of a multimillion-dollar pediatric practice. My first dream was storytelling—I studied broadcast journalism because I was fascinated by the power of a single voice, a narrative that could capture attention, challenge perspectives, or shine a light on overlooked truths.
But life has a way of redirecting you, sometimes in brutal, unplanned ways.
I came to the United States as a toddler, just two years old, with immigrant parents who carried more grit than resources. I grew up watching them hustle, chase stability, and build something from nothing in a country that was brand new to them. Their resilience became my baseline. It wasn’t a fancy word—it was just how you survived. You figured it out, you pushed through, because not figuring it out wasn’t an option. That fire, that survival instinct, has been the quiet drumbeat behind everything I’ve done since.
When I stepped into journalism, I thought I had found my way. I loved the energy, the stories, the adrenaline. But there was a hollowness to it. I wasn’t telling the stories I was meant to tell.
And then, almost by accident, I found speech therapy. It started with children who struggled to find their voice—and suddenly I realized, this was where I was meant to be. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t scripted. It was real. Every small step—a first word, a first sound, a breakthrough after months of struggle—wasn’t just progress. It was triumph. These kids weren’t just patients. They were living proof of resilience, teaching me every day what perseverance truly looks like.
Changing the lives of children and families has brought out the fullest heart and the most unstoppable version of me.
Starting my own practice wasn’t some smooth, Instagram-worthy leap. It was messy, uncertain, and terrifying. I built Kidology Inc. from the ground up—no roadmap, no investors, just an oversized vision, grit, and the willingness to fall flat and get back up. There were weeks I had no clue how I would cover payroll. At night I questioned whether I had the strength or the stamina to keep going. But resilience isn’t about never doubting yourself. It’s about showing up anyway.
Fast forward to today, and Kidology isn’t just a clinic. It’s a growing ecosystem—two thriving therapy centers, two sensory playspaces, a mobile therapy bus, and a team of incredible therapists who serve hundreds of families. And while the business has grown, what still fuels me are the moments in the therapy room: a child finally says “mom,” “dad,” or “I did it”—and their parents cry tears they’ve been waiting years to shed.
The real win isn’t the awards—it’s the moment a child finally says ‘mom’ for the first time.
The recognition has followed, but not by accident. We’ve been named to the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row, honored as a Philly 100 winner four consecutive years, and celebrated by the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Fast 50. These accolades aren’t just numbers or plaques on the wall. To me, they represent every late night, every risk, every sacrifice, and every leap of faith I’ve taken to build something bigger than myself.
But I knew my impact couldn’t stop at the clinic doors. Parents of children with special needs often feel powerless, especially when navigating the complicated world of school services and IEPs. That’s why I created TheConfidentIEPParent.com—a program designed to empower families to walk into those meetings with clarity, confidence, and the tools to advocate for their child. It’s my way of scaling what I’ve learned, turning years of experience into something parents can use to fight for the future their kids deserve.
Impacting the lives of others revealed my truest power—the full heart and unstoppable fire within me.
Journalism taught me how to speak. Speech therapy taught me how to listen. Entrepreneurship? That’s teaching me how to roar.
And through it all, I’ve learned this: sometimes the most powerful stories we’ll ever tell aren’t the ones we report—they’re the ones we live.
Luba Patlakh is a passionate and dedicated speech language pathologist, the founder, and director of Kidology, Inc., a pediatric practice specializing in speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and ABA services. With over 15 years of experience in the field, Luba’s expertise and compassion have shaped her approach to child development. She has built a thriving private practice, where her innovative and client-centered approach has empowered families to help their children achieve significant milestones in speech and development.
Luba’s journey to becoming a leader in pediatric speech therapy was not traditional. She originally studied broadcast journalism and worked as a production assistant at Good Morning America, but her path took a significant turn when she discovered her love for helping children. Luba is the mother of three and a champion for helping others balance family life and business ownership. Growing up in a family that taught resilience and manifestation, she was inspired by her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit and her father’s hard work. As a child, Luba faced adversity, including growing up in the Ukraine before immigrating to the United States, where she learned firsthand about the challenges of overcoming poverty. These early experiences fuel her passion for helping others break through barriers and build their own successful businesses.
You can follow Kidology on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and their Youtube Channel.
