Meet Kalee (Koburi) Francis M.A. Ed. CCC-SLP | Speech Language Pathologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kalee (Koburi) Francis M.A. Ed. CCC-SLP and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After the birth of my son I decided that I wanted to provide the type of support that I had been looking for as a first time breastfeeding mom. Traveling with a newborn after having a c-section was challenging and weekly lactation appointments that were 25-30 minutes away from home were a struggle. I decided that I wanted to offer virtual and in-home lactation consultation services across the valley with no travel fees associated with the service to alleviate the stress of traveling with a newborn. I knew that my experience as a pediatric speech language pathologist and feeding therapist would add value to the services leading to overall better outcomes. As a therapist I am typically contacted to intervene when a problem is already present. With the addition of lactation services, my goal is to reach more mothers in the prenatal and newborn periods to significantly reduce the amount of feeding challenges many families experience. I had already been providing virtual and in-home therapy services and knew that adding on breastfeeding support services would be a great way to expand my business while providing the support I was looking for to women in our community. I not only wanted to support breastfeeding mothers, but I also wanted to create job opportunities for other women that provide the freedom and flexibility that I have as a small business owner. I grew up working for a small women owned business that provided me with a lot of great experience. I was able to watch this business grow, develop, and succeed within its industry over the years. I’ve always felt that this experience shaped the type of professional that I am today. Now More Than Words Speech Therapy also operates as Breastfeeding Support Solutions providing skilled lactation services not only across the valley, but in various locations statewide. We have four internationally board certified lactation consultants with over 35 years of combined experience supporting babies, mothers, and families.

What should our readers know about your business?
At More Than Words Speech Therapy-Breastfeeding Support Solutions we utilize the specialized skills of a speech language pathologist and an internationally board certified lactation consultant to prevent and treat pediatric feeding difficulties. This allows us to provide a variety of services that assist with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and starting solids. Rather than have a family pack up their child and travel to a clinic or facility we come to the family! This reduces the amount of stress placed on new or expecting mothers and parents of children with complex medical conditions. Pediatric feeding difficulties can be stressful enough, we do not want to add to that. There are no travel fees associated with our services and we have providers that travel valley wide, as well as, Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside. Our lactation consultants accept many major insurance plans including BCBS, Anthem, Cigna PPO, and any insurance with the PNOA designation. This means that mothers can get the breastfeeding support they need at no cost to them. Unlike many other lactation support services we do not have set fees for services. We operate using a sliding scale to help reduce the cost of lactation services for those that are not covered by insurance. Our belief is that services should be provided using only the tools that the mother is going to have access to on a regular basis. This means for our breastfeeding clients we take the emphasis off of weighted feeds using a scale that one might find in a medical office or clinic. Instead we teach mothers how to recognize signs of milk transfer so they can feel confident their baby is getting the nutrition they need. For our feeding therapy clients we involve parents in all sessions so that they can carry over the strategies provided during therapy to family mealtime. This unique approach of providing services in the families natural environment increases the likelihood that recommendations can be implemented on a regular basis leading to better outcomes for all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Whenever I have a family member or friend come to visit we love finding new places to eat! I love trying new restaurants and Arizona has so many great locally owned options. One of my favorite places to get breakfast in Old Town Scottsdale is Alo Cafe. For lunch we would probably stop by Jade Bar at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Hotel to take in the spectacular mountain views while we eat. In the evening we would grab some small bites and a drink at the Outrider Rooftop Lounge. In between meals we might go for a hike at Camelback Mountain or go kayaking down the Salt River. I love taking people north of the valley to Prescott and Sedona. When visiting Prescott I always have to stop at my favorite italian restaurant, Limoncello. After hiking in Sedona I love sitting outside at the Creekside American Bistro and enjoying one of their many fresh salads.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As a new first time working mother I felt that growing a small business would be a challenge. My sister-in-law, Shannon Francis, started her own private practice, Centered Wellness, as licensed social worker and mother. She encouraged me to grow More Than Words Speech Therapy and pursue the addition of lactation consultation services. As a speech language pathologist in Arizona I have always had the support of Leo and Becky Huppert the owners of Huppert Pediatric Therapy. Melissa Raitano is the owner of a small women owned business, My Party Princess, located in my hometown of Schaumburg, Illinois. I worked here throughout high school and college and learned first hand what it really takes to be a small business owner. I would not be where I am today without the support and influence of all of these people.

Website: www.morethanspeechtherapy.health

Instagram: @morethanspeechtherapy

Facebook: More Than Speech Therapy