Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Mraz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I discovered my career in the most unlikely place, Shanghai China. While teaching English, I met a boy with autism, fell in love with occupational therapy and became determined to impact as many children as possible. I returned to the States two years later, completed my bachelor’s degree at Loyola University Chicago and started Eyas Landing after graduating in 2007.
During my first year in business, I was the sole employee and therapist, I saw over 40 clients in their homes a week in Early Intervention and focused on family-centered practice. In 2008, I started my Masters in Occupational Therapy full time at UIC (ranked 3rd in OT program). I continued my business and hired two therapists to work for me at the time. For three years, I ran my small business and completed my Doctorate in Occupational Therapy by 2011.
Once I graduated, I opened our first clinic space and began hiring additional therapists. By 2013, I had about 25 employees and 2500 sq ft facility. In 2014, Eyas Landing began a small preschool readiness program with 8 clients enrolled, within 1 year, we had 24 students enrolled and branched the program into its own business, Blue Bird Day. We outgrew our space and moved into a 10,000 sq ft center for both Eyas Landing and Blue Bird Day.
After one year, we had grown even larger, with 64 clients enrolled in Blue Bird Day and over 150 clients at Eyas Landing, so we moved Eyas Landing into its own 6,000 sq ft facility close to Blue Bird Day in November 2016. At the end of 2017, we are opening up our second Blue Bird Day in North Center, we employ 120 employees and see over 300 clients per week.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been many struggles along the way, some small and others seemingly impossible. I have learned to roll with it and each challenge brings new solutions!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Eyas Landing and Blue Bird Day story. Tell us more about the business.
Eyas Landing is a pediatric therapy clinic in the west loop of Chicago. Established in 2007 by occupational therapist and child development specialist, Dr. Laura Hawkesworth Mraz, Eyas Landing is the leading pediatric therapy clinic specializing in Sensory Integration, Early Intervention and relationship-based therapy.
We offer a variety of multidisciplinary therapeutic services that utilize evidence-based practice and effective treatment approaches. Our comprehensive team of highly trained professionals specializes in working with children diagnosed with ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorders, apraxia, stuttering and sensory-based feeding disorders. Contact us to learn more.
Blue Bird Day was founded in 2014 by Occupational Therapist and child development specialist Dr. Laura Hawkesworth Mraz. It is a therapeutic preschool and kindergarten program that incorporates daily therapy and interventions to best support children with various needs.
Each child at Blue Bird Day will have a team of experienced professionals developing their individual treatment plans that are created to encourage peer interaction, socialization, academic skills, sensory integration and speech development for the needs of each child. Our compassionate therapists and staff build strong relationships with clients and their families and are dedicated to helping clients achieve goals and build confidence in their everyday life.
The second Blue Bird Day location will be opening in early 2018 to provide service to the North side of Chicago.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The healthcare industry, in general, is moving to become more evidence-based, data-driven and innovative. We are currently preparing by vamping up our data collection systems, emr systems, and overall company organization.
Contact Info:
- Address: 310 N Loomis St. Chicago, IL 60607
1921 W Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL 60613
1409 W. Carroll Ave. Chicago IL 60607 - Website: www.bluebirddayschool.com www.eyaslanding.com
- Phone: 312-733-0883
- Email: lauramraz@eyaslanding.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluebirddayschool/
- Twitter: @BBDSChicago
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