Today we’d like to introduce you to Sholeh Shahinfar
Hi Sholeh, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Of course! From a young age, I have always been drawn to helping others. Whether it was offering a listening ear to my friends and family or volunteering at local schools and organizations, I found deep joy in making a positive impact on someone’s life. My fascination for teaching was sparked during my summers as a young child, when my aunt would take me with her to her daycare job and from that point, I always envisioned becoming a teacher. When I was in college as an education major, the spark just wasn’t there and something felt like it was missing. It was during winter break that I was expressing this to my cousin and she offered I come with her to her son’s speech therapy appointment. Her incredible and loving son, who was 3 at the time, is diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome and from the moment I saw the spark in his eyes and his world open up in that therapy session, I knew that being a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) was the path that was destined for me. My amazing, sweet cousin is now 25 years old and continues to teach me the most valuable lessons in life.
I have always been fascinated with the idea of using communication as a tool for change and empowerment. Being able to make a difference in someone’s life through effective communication is truly fulfilling and reinforces my love for this field every day. Self expression has always been a crucial aspect of own personal journey and in my career as a speech-language pathologist. As I have witnessed firsthand the struggles that individuals with communication differences face, I have come to appreciate the value of self expression even more. Being able to express oneself is vital for personal growth, building connections, and experiencing this life and to be able to empower others to find their form of self-expression has been the greatest gift.
About 5 years into my career and having worked in various settings, I began becoming more and more aligned with the values that were most important to me in life. I then decided to open my own practice, Valued Voices, a speech, language and occupational therapy center. Now 10 years in, I have an amazing and growing ream, and feel so blessed for the beauty that this experience has brought into my life and the lives of so many incredible children and families.
Through my passion, I strive to empower individuals to find their voice and use it confidently in whatever way connects with them-communication is more than just the spoken words, it is through gestures, signs, movement, the use of a device and so much more and all are valid and acceptable forms of communication and connection. By empowering all voices, we can deepen connections and create a more compassionate world.
Seeing the transformation in my clients when they are able to communicate their thoughts and feelings is incredibly rewarding and serves as a constant reminder of the importance of self expression in our lives, the deep connection I have to this path, and the commitment I have to Valued Voices. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey with children who have taught me perseverance, strength, true joy, deep love and compassion and with families that have shown me what unconditional love truly means.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a business owner can definitely have its challenges and times where I feel the deep pressure of all the responsibilities, which range from managing finances, finding and supporting the right team, administrative tasks, client relations, marketing and everything in between. However, amidst the challenges I always tap back into the beauty and blessings that come with being able to create a business that aligns with your values and passions.
As the owner of Valued Voices, I have the freedom to choose how I want to work with clients, which clients I want to work with, what kind of people I want part of my team, and make decisions for the growth and success of my business that aligns with my values and ethics. This level of autonomy has allowed all of us at Valued Voices to be more creative and to experience the true fulfillment of our work.
Honestly, one of my most favorite things about owning Valued Voices is it has allowed me to build deep connections with people in a way that I may have never experienced otherwise. We have the opportunity to truly get to know each of our families and provide personalized, quality care. I feel like our families and my team (past, present and those we have yet to meet), have become my extended family and this is something that I will always cherish forever. It has also allowed me to connect and learn so much more about myself and grow in ways I never could have imagined.
Being a business owner is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences that has allowed for tremendous and transformative personal and professional growth. Each day, I am very intentional to embrace the beauty that is running my own business and the blessings that come with creating a meaningful impact in the lives of so many. So, despite whatever challenges may arise, this is an experience I would never change and I am always grateful for!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Valued Voices began as a dream to provide conscious, compassionate and high quality care to children and their families. As a Speech Language Pathologist having worked in various settings, I saw the many limitations that often hindered my ability to fully help my clients. I always dreamed of creating a supportive, inclusive space, where one could receive the recognition they deserve for their uniqueness and strengths, receive the individualized attention they deserve and make progress at their own pace. Through lots of hard work and determination, my dream has now turned into my thriving business and I could not have done this without the support and love of my family, friends, my incredible team and our wonderful families.
At Valued Voices, we are dedicated to providing evidence-based therapy techniques tailored specifically to each client’s needs. We strive for excellence in our services and prioritize building meaningful relationships with those we serve. Our mission is to empower individuals and achieve their full potential, using an individualized, strength-based, family- centered and holistic approach. We are so proud to have created a safe and supportive environment where our team and clients feel comfortable and motivated to be themselves and reach their goals.
Our passion for helping others has led us to continuously grow and expand our services, making a positive impact on even more lives. Valued Voices is not just about providing speech, language and occupational therapy services, but it’s also about creating a community of support and empowerment for children and their families. In addition to providing therapy for children, our center also offers workshops and resources for families and caregivers. We believe that education and support are vital in supporting individuals with differences thrive.
We are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others through Valued Voices. It brings me immense joy to see our clients grow and succeed, knowing that we played a part in their journey. Though we have come far from where we started, we will always remain committed to constantly improving and evolving as a business to better serve our community.
My journey from a dream into a successful business is powered by our deepest dedication to making a difference in the lives of our clients every day and with every moment, I am reminded of why I started this business and continue to work tirelessly to improve and empower the lives of those we have the honor and privilege of supporting.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was fortunate, and so grateful, to have my family’s love and support, which was like a constant beacon guiding me through my life. My family was my rock, always there to lift me up. Their unwavering encouragement gave me the belief that I could be anything I wanted to be, helping me cultivate an outgoing personality that sought connection and understanding, and that taught me the value of empathy and listening with an open heart.
I also grew up in a community that struggled with cultural diversity and acceptance. As a sensitive child, I often felt the sting of not quite fitting in, often times feeling unheard or misunderstood, yet always trying to bring everyone together and celebrate our unique qualities. This disconnect heightened my awareness to the power of compassion and inclusion and really drove my desire to ensure others always felt seen and valued.
These experiences shaped my understanding of the world, making me more determined to foster an environment where differences were not just accepted but cherished. This aspiration to create a more understanding world remains a guiding light in my life and continues to fuel my passion for holistic approaches that honor each individual’s unique path and their stories.
Through my inner work and personal interactions, I came to realize that many people struggled with self-acceptance and understanding, often feeling lost or disconnected from their true selves. This realization only strengthened my passion to spread empathy and kindness wherever I went, recognizing that each of us has a unique story that needs to be shared. It is this collective human experience that binds us together, making it so important to listen without judgment and offer our support to those in need.
Today, as I continue down my path towards creating a more compassionate society, I am grateful for the lessons learned from my upbringing and personal experiences. They have shaped me into the empathetic and understanding individual I am today, allowing me to connect with others from all walks of life. And while there is still much work to be done on this journey, I believe that every small act of kindness can make a difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.valuedvoices.com
- Instagram: @valuedvoices
- Facebook: @valuedvoices
- Youtube: @ValuedVoices
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/valued-voices-irvine-3?osq=valued+voices
