Meet Jean Hawney | Speech Language Pathologist & Feeding Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jean Hawney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jean, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My journey to starting Little Eaters & Talkers was driven by my passion for empowering families and the recognition that many of the children I was working with needed a different type of support than I could offer in a hospital setting. In my hospital work, I saw time and again that feeding and language challenges often extended beyond the sessions. Many families needed more time, flexibility, and tools to reinforce skills at home, and I wanted to create a service that could provide exactly that. I wanted to make a space where families could feel understood and supported, where I could offer workshops, hands-on support, and ongoing resources. This focus on building a collaborative approach between therapists and parents became my primary motivation.

By starting my own business, I was able to develop Little Eaters & Talkers as a place that doesn’t just address immediate therapy needs but also empowers parents to become confident, engaged partners in their child’s progress. I get to meet each family where they are, provide a flexible range of services, and truly tailor my approach in a way that’s been transformative both for my clients and for me personally. This venture has allowed me to reconnect with the reasons I became a pediatric speech-language pathologist in the first place.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Little Eaters & Talkers was born out of a commitment to helping children and their families navigate some of the most challenging, yet rewarding, aspects of early development – feeding and communication. What sets my practice apart is the holistic, family-centered approach I bring to each child’s care. As a feeding specialist and pediatric speech-language pathologist, I not only address the technical aspects of feeding and language but also work closely with parents and caregivers, equipping them with the tools and confidence to continue the progress at home. I believe that learning doesn’t end when a session does – it’s an ongoing journey, and I’m here to support that every step of the way.

The road to getting here wasn’t easy. Transitioning from a structured hospital setting to running my own business was a big leap, and there were moments of doubt and countless lessons along the way. One of the biggest challenges was learning to manage all aspects of the business on my own while staying true to my purpose as a therapist. Early on, I realized that to overcome these challenges, I needed to embrace growth not just as a clinician, but also as a business owner. I sought advice from mentors, hired a business coach who guided me through many crossroads, and leaned on the encouragement of family and friends. These experiences taught me resilience, and I learned to trust in my vision and my unique approach, even when things were uncertain.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about Little Eaters & Talkers, it’s that we are here to make a real difference in each child’s life. This is more than a business to me – it’s a mission to bring support, understanding, and expertise to families who may feel lost or overwhelmed. My hope is that every family that walks through our doors leaves feeling more hopeful, more empowered, and more connected to their child’s journey.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would run in various parks including Hermann Park, Memorial Park, and the Brays Bayou. A hike in the Arboretum would be nice to get out in nature. For shopping, I would take my friend to Rice Village to shop, enjoy a croissant at Common Bond, and a glass of wine at Sixty Vines. Another place we could visit would be MKT in the Heights to check out the shops and eat Blue Sushi. If my friend enjoys beer then a stop at St. Arnold’s Brewery is a must. For a relaxing spot in my neighborhood, we could go to Evelyn’s Park or the Menil with the kids and let them run around.

I would like for my friend to come with me to volunteer at my children’s school, the Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, and my friend can help me coach the run club or volunteer in various activities. If the weather is nice, I would consider a daytrip to Surfside beach where we can drive the car up to shore with the dog and kids and enjoy the sun.

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?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible support system that has surrounded me through this journey. To my family – thank you for being my unwavering foundation, encouraging me to pursue this dream, and cheering me on along the way.

To my friends, thank you for cheering me on, celebrating every step, and reminding me to enjoy the process. Your encouragement has lifted me on even the most challenging days. To my colleagues, past and present – your insight and mentorship have helped shape the clinician I am today, and I’m endlessly grateful for the shared knowledge and experiences.

And a special thank you to my life coach, who has helped me find the courage to take risks. Your guidance has been transformative, giving me the tools and confidence to dedicate the next stage of my life to being a business owner with purpose and intention.

I feel so lucky to have such an incredible network of people who have believed in me, and this journey wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of you.

Website: info@thelittleeaters.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleeaters_talkers/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105006157/admin/dashboard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleEatersTalkers

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-eaters-and-talkers-houston-2?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Youtube: @Littleeatersandtalkers

Image Credits
Lauren Kwater