Aspen Audiology: Helping the Community Live Life at Full Volume
Posted by kayla.banda | Start the discussion
For Dr. Katy Mawson, opening Aspen Audiology wasn’t just about starting a business—it was about creating a different kind of hearing healthcare experience.
As both an audiologist and a hearing aid user herself, Dr. Mawson understands the challenges many patients face firsthand. She founded Aspen Audiology to provide evidence-based hearing healthcare that prioritizes the whole person through affordable, transparent treatment options and comprehensive education. Her goal is to ensure patients have the tools to connect not only with sound, but with their overall well-being.
“Healthcare should be accessible to all people, regardless of their ability to pay, social status, or abilities. Aspen Audiology provides accessible options to all who walk through the door. This is the fundamental foundation of my business.”
From Funding to First Patients
Like many first-time entrepreneurs, Dr. Mawson knew how to care for patients but faced a steep learning curve when it came to building a business. Questions about hiring, marketing, legal requirements, and launching a private practice left her wondering where to begin.
Her journey with the PCC Small Business Development Center started with the Capital Access Team, where advisor Bruce Melzer helped her secure funding to launch the business. Then, she joined the Business Builders training program and worked with advisors Jackie B. Peterson and Kayla Banda to build the operational foundation for Aspen Audiology. She also sought legal guidance through Lewis & Clark Law School Small Business Legal Clinic, creating a strong support network as she prepared to open her doors.
“Jackie and Kayla (and Business Builders) helped answer so many of those questions for me!”
The preparation paid off. Within just five months, Dr. Mawson launched Aspen Audiology as a fully functioning brick-and-mortar clinic in Beaverton. Today, she is welcoming patients, building her practice, and helping more people reconnect with the sounds that matter most.
Growing with Intention
Working with the PCC SBDC changed how Dr. Mawson approaches entrepreneurship, helping her think more strategically about every aspect of growing her practice—from marketing to future hiring.
“I am more thoughtful about marketing and where I spend my money. I spend more time thinking about the people who will walk through my doors and what their wants and needs are. I am also more prepared to hire employees and support them in a way that pushes my business forward.”
Breaking Stigmas, Changing Lives
Today, one of Dr. Mawson’s greatest joys is helping patients reconnect with the world around them while challenging common misconceptions about hearing loss. As someone who wears hearing aids herself, she brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to every patient interaction.
“I love connecting with my patients over shared experiences. I have a hearing loss myself, and I love breaking stigmas or showing patients how technology can improve their health and their life.”
Every new patient who walks through Aspen Audiology’s doors represents another opportunity to help someone reconnect with the people, conversations, and experiences that allow them to live life at full volume.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Dr. Mawson encourages other business owners to take advantage of the support available through the PCC SBDC.
“I honestly wish more people knew about the resources available at the PCC SBDC. Even if you have a well-established business, the PCC SBDC can help! There is something there for everyone. The advisers are kind and thorough, not just supportive. I can go on and on about the positive reasons for connecting with the PCC SBDC.”
Ready to Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Journey?
Are you ready to embark on your entrepreneurial journey or seeking support to take your small business to new heights? The PCC SBDC is here to help. Reach out to us and let your journey begin. Katy’s story is just one example of the countless success stories our clients have created. Embrace the joy of entrepreneurship and create your unique path to success!
Want to learn more about how the PCC Small Business Development Center can help you start or grow your business?
The Oregon SBDC Network is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additional funding is provided by the Oregon Business Development Department and Portland Community College. Oregon SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language services are available for limited-English-proficient individuals.
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