Podcast Summary

Living The Red Life with Rudy Mawer

Episode: Pediatric Therapy Founders: Turning Compassion Into a Sustainable Enterprise
Date: February 9, 2026
Guests: Lacey Helms & Kristen Sirianni (Co-founders, Oasis Pediatric Therapy & Whale Respite Center)

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Rudy Mawer explores how compassion-driven entrepreneurs Lacey Helms and Kristen Sirianni built two impactful pediatric therapy and care enterprises. They discuss scaling from basement operations to 125 staff, transitioning from therapists to leaders, balancing purpose with sustainability, and their journey tackling the unique needs of families with children who have disabilities. The episode is rich with insights for entrepreneurs looking to combine mission with smart business strategy, particularly in the nonprofit sector.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Identifying & Acting on a Community Need (00:00 - 03:43)

• Lacey and Kristen recount witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by families caring for children with significant disabilities.
  • Families often feel isolated, exhausted, and unable to access traditional childcare (00:00 - 00:27).
  • The drive to find a solution led to the founding of Oasis Pediatric Therapy and, later, the Whale Respite Center.

Notable Quotes:

• “We knew that we needed to take action.” – Lacey (00:24)

2. Origins and Scale of Their Businesses (02:14 - 03:43)

• Oasis Pediatric Therapy was started in Lacey’s basement in 2017.
  • Now has 125 team members across 10 Colorado counties providing physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plus a family CNA program (02:36 - 03:01).
• Whale Respite Center: Specialized childcare for children with delays and disabilities; recently expanded to 65 children (03:03 - 03:42).

Humor:

• “So the 125 therapists wouldn't fit in the basement?” – Rudy (02:46)

3. Startup Lessons & Growth Challenges (03:43 - 06:14)

• Growth is never as easy as social media suggests—hard work, persistence, and having “grit” is vital (03:54 - 04:02).
• Leadership skills require continual investment, education, and self-improvement.
  • Both founders stress they were trained as therapists, not business managers, so leadership has been a journey of self-education (05:04 - 05:24).

Memorable Analogy:

• Pushing uphill, never really reaching “the top”—the mountain always continues (04:13).
• “You become the lid. So you have to keep growing... Humble, admit mistakes, have self-discipline—even when you don’t want to.” – Kristen (06:32 - 08:06)

4. Transitioning from Practitioner to Business Leader (05:49 - 06:38)

• Founders now do little day-to-day therapy; focus is on mentoring, training, and running the organization.
• Advice for others: invest in leadership skills and be open to mistakes and continuous growth.

5. Purpose-Driven Innovations & Community Impact (08:51 - 10:57)

• Whale Respite Center is the first of its kind in their area, offering services that standard childcare cannot.
• They’ve witnessed the toll on parents who feel “stuck,” especially single parents facing poverty due to lack of childcare options.
  • Example of a mom whose daughter required flight for life twice due to medical issues while under others' care (10:02).

Notable Quote:

• “Parents can’t be who they want to be and do what they want to do, which makes us all better parents when we’re able to have that breath and balance.” – Kristen (10:35)

6. Sustaining Passion—Balancing Heart with Smart Business (10:57 - 12:13)

• Businesses—even nonprofits—require sound financials and structure.
  • Experience running Oasis (for-profit) provided valuable know-how for Whale (nonprofit).
  • “Nonprofits still need to run as businesses… Still have to make payroll on Friday.” – Lacey & Kristen (11:54 - 12:02)

7. Advice for Mission-Driven Nonprofit Founders (12:33 - 14:13)

• Education: Join nonprofit groups, learn finance and grant application skills, build a strong board.
• Bring in experienced people early, and surround yourself with knowledgeable mentors.
  • “Start getting the money in the bank so you can pay really experienced people...” – Kristen (13:18)
• Grants, donations, and earned income all form part of a “barstool approach” to funding (14:19).

8. How to Learn More & Connect (14:39 - 15:35)

• Visit WellRespect.org for information, social media, donations, and opportunities to connect or tour the center.
  • Open to networking and helping others start similar missions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You become the lid. So you have to keep growing, humble, admit mistakes, have self-discipline…”
  — Kristen Sirianni (06:32)
• “You can't just hire the babysitter down the block like everybody else can because their child needs a feeding tube treatment and things like that.”
  — Lacey Helms (09:06)
• “Nonprofits still need to run as businesses… You still have to make payroll on Friday… With a great, great heart.”
  — Kristen and Lacey (11:54 - 12:02)
• “Start surrounding yourself with people who are educated about nonprofits...”
  — Kristen Sirianni (12:49)
• “If you don't know how to run a business, then your passions and your great heart are not really going to get you very far.”
  — Kristen Sirianni (12:03)

Segment Timestamps

• Understanding Families’ Needs: 00:00 – 00:48
• Business Origins/Founders Introduced: 02:14 – 03:03
• Scaling the Business & Leadership Lessons: 03:43 – 06:38
• Purpose and Community Impact: 08:51 – 10:57
• Balancing Heart and Revenue: 10:57 – 12:13
• Advice for Starting a Nonprofit: 12:33 – 14:23
• Ways to Support & Learn More: 14:39 – 15:35

Closing Thoughts

This episode delivers an honest look at building a mission-driven business that is both sustainable and impactful. Lacey and Kristen’s journey from basement beginnings to scaling organizations leave listeners with actionable advice: never underestimate the importance of leadership education, financial discipline, and surrounding yourself with great people—whether you’re for-profit or nonprofit. Perfect listening for entrepreneurs with heart!