New Spring Special Education
DeAnna Newton, owner of New Spring Special Education has done a lot in her 8 years in business. She is energetic, passionate and headed in all the right directions. New Spring Special Education Services, LLC is an educational company that provides academic and behavioral support for school-aged students with special needs. Read on for her story.
Who was the BEFORE person?
DeAnna was teaching full-time in Northern Virginia/ Washington D.C. area and had just moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2013. At that time, DeAnna was also shifting to “mom mode,” as she was expecting her first child and therefore looking for something part-time to slip into. Everything she found was either too little pay or not what she was passionate about doing, and, as DeAnna puts it, she was becoming “way open to alternatives.”
How did this opportunity present itself? When did you know you were going to jump into your idea officially?
DeAnna walked into The Flourish Center to interview with me as an Intervention Specialist when I still owned the Center. Of course, after hearing her interests and skills, I presented her with: “I can’t hire you, but there are plenty of parents who could benefit from your services.” I suggested she start her own business (and that I could support her) and then she could rent space within the Center alongside the other allied service professionals and offer her services.
DeAnna thought that sounded like an interesting proposition and went home to have a conversation with her husband about it. It didn’t take long. He immediately said “Go for it! You’ve always wanted to start your own thing.” DeAnna’s goals were always to help children within special education and possibly even start her own school at some point. BUT she was currently pregnant and thought business ownership was going to be something much farther into her future. After some prayer, she jumped in with both feet.
What went into the decision-making process?
“I pretty much just jumped in! I paid the $125 LLC filing fee for Ohio and used some of our savings to get going!”
DeAnna registered New Spring Special Education in July and started gaining clients in December after leaning on others in The Flourish Center for guidance and attending local expos to get her name out. Her new baby was born that following January (tricky timing), so she had to slow-build her caseload. She recalls even having to bring her newborn to appointments if she did not have a babysitter.
What were some roadblocks/ obstacles you encountered?
DeAnna felt that gaining traction and respect within her audience was tricky. [Special education communities are typically tight knit and heavily rely on word of mouth.] It also took some time for DeAnna to find a balance in what she charged for some of her services. Finding that delicate balance between wanting your services to be accessible to your community, but also knowing what your time is worth, can really take some finesse and thought.
What would you have done differently if you could go back?
I would have focused more on getting my name out and on client generation before spending my savings on the physical part of my business, i.e. getting my office furnished.
What is one piece of advice you would offer current or aspiring entrepreneurs?
“IF you are passionate enough and have the work ethic required, you CAN make it happen.” DeAnna goes on to explain that when you have to put your heart, soul and endless hours into getting your business up and going, you can’t be half in!
What are some immediate goals for the business?
DeAnna is currently bringing on a partner to manage her growing staff, clientele and waitlist. Her immediate goal in this is to establish more systems to have New Spring Special Education operate more seamlessly and efficiently with their added volume.
“When you wear too many hats, you drop balls.” DeAnna notes.
Right now, she also wants to expand with more behavioral supports and alternative education supports. She wants to continue to increase the expertise on her team and listen to their ideas within that expertise.
How are things going now?
“Things are good!!” We have quite a long waiting list, but like others, we are having trouble hiring. She states that she even has had people set up interviews and then never show up. She feels as a small business it is harder to compete with bigger corporations and school districts as far as benefits and immediate hours goes.
Started in 2013, New Spring Special Education is at its height currently with 10 employees and a long waitlist.
Who are the most instrumental people on your team and in the start-up process?
“The other entrepreneurs within The Flourish Center were so helpful to me. We had regular meetings, brainstormed together and exchanged referrals. The comradery with the other teachers was what I was missing most, so I was really grateful to have that.”
“The Flourish Center really helped me thrive as a business owner and provided me with a sense of community as we learned from each other and supported each other in our business endeavors. Kim was really the glue that held everyone together. She worked tirelessly not only for her own business, but also for us business owners who were part of the Center. She taught us a lot about best business practices and always had advice when it was needed. The collaboration and sense of community from the Flourish Center truly allowed my business to grow successfully.”
[Side note: I sold The Flourish Center and my pediatric practice earlier in 2021 before entering into business consulting.]
What do you see the business accomplishing in the future?
“Long-term, I hope to expand in a way that allows parents to know that the New Spring Special Education name equals quality services.” DeAnna wants to incorporate more of what she knows works, like the Neurodevelopmental Approach into her practice, and to centralize their services. “Who knows,” she adds “maybe one day I will open a school!”
“I feel so blessed to own this business and to be able to truly make a difference in the lives of our clients. I am looking forward to our future growth with excitement.”
DeAnna lovingly reiterates, “You can’t be in it for the money, you have to be in it for the people. The people are your biggest reward.” [Spoken like a true business with so much heart to give her community… and you know I love that! I also think that by being a heartbeat in your community, financial soundness also comes. So yes, it is possible to have both!]
**
I am excited to watch DeAnna enter into her new partnership and see just how far-reaching New Spring Special Education’s services will go in Central Ohio!
You can find New Spring Special Education on the web at: http:/newspringsped.com
-OR-
on Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/NewSpringSpEd
New Spring Special Education
136 Northwoods Blvd.
Columbus, Ohio 43235
Do you or someone you know have a wonderful or particularly inspiring small business story? Tell me about it!