Atlanta speech pathology practice expands nationally with help from UGA SBDC

Thomas’ journey to speech-language pathology began at Howard University. Initially uninspired by his journalism major, he switched fields at the suggestion of an advisor and immediately found his passion. A month after graduation, he launched his practice in Washington, D.C., subcontracting with another company and learning the industry through mentorship and hands-on experience.

“There was a lot of learning by trial and error,” Thomas said.

In 2021, Thomas relocated Dynamic Therapy to Atlanta and signed his first contract with a public charter school. Within months, he had secured two additional contracts. As his business grew, Thomas recognized the need for expert guidance in marketing, operations and financial management. On the recommendation of other business owners, he visited the UGA SBDC in March 2023.

Business consultant Drew Zoller, along with UGA SBDC experts Ryan Swanson, Lisa Rackley and Drew Tonsmeire, worked closely with Thomas to strengthen the company’s operations and position it for growth. The team helped Thomas conduct a SWOT analysis, optimize cash flow, develop strategies to ensure financial stability and mitigate risk. They also helped Thomas examine the total cost of employees—both contract and full-time—to determine the best way for the business to grow its workforce.

“We talked about understanding the client Darius is trying to reach and then communicating to them in language and touch points that show them he understands what they care about,” Zoller said. “Additionally, there was a challenge around client payment. We discussed the importance of understanding the lifetime value of customers and optimizing the company’s customer acquisition costs.”

The UGA SBDC also supported Thomas in refining Dynamic Therapy’s marketing and branding strategies, including launching targeted Google ad campaigns to increase visibility and attract more clients. With their help, Thomas developed a comprehensive plan for expansion and growth, analyzed market opportunities, and built strategic frameworks to scale his business effectively.

“We’ve discussed it all,” Thomas said. “If I mention an area of concern, Drew brings in someone who can help. We meet every three months or so. I bring a lot of questions, and the consultants give me guidance, advice and coaching. They offer great insights.”

Dynamic Therapy now holds 12 contracts and serves clients in Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana and California, in addition to Georgia and D.C.

“Things have been moving quickly here,” Thomas reported. “Our growth has translated into meaningful impact for schools, students and families, and it’s given us strong revenue momentum. Across school contracts alone, we’re now averaging more than $700,000 annually in gross revenue.”

Dynamic Therapy was recently named a Community Champion on the 2025 U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100, which celebrates America’s top 100 small businesses.

“Darius is a voracious learner and is passionate about speech pathology and getting his services out to clients,” Zoller said. “It drives how he spends his time—not just working in the business but making sure he’s designed it to deliver top results to as many people as he can, because that’s what he’s committed to.”

That same drive to learn and grow led Thomas to seek out expert guidance. He found it at the UGA SBDC.