6 min read

How I Built My Out-of-Network Group Practice: The Story of Colorado Women’s Center

Kendra Miguez, CEO and Founder of the Colorado Women's Center, shares the story of how she built her group practice.
Written by
Kendra Miguez
Published on
September 9, 2024

When people look at me today—when they see Colorado Women’s Center and the thriving community of women it supports—they don’t see the whole story. They see the success, the multiple locations, the dedicated team of therapists, and the thousands of women whose lives have been touched. But what they don’t see is the journey it took to get here. They don’t see the mountains I had to climb, the darkness I had to walk through, and the courage it took to step out of the security of my private practice and into the unknown. So today, I want to share that story with you. Because understanding where we come from gives us the strength to keep moving forward, no matter how steep the climb.

The Beginning: Stepping into the Unknown

When I started my private practice, it was a lifeline. It provided the stability I needed after years of struggle—years of trying to find my place in the world. As a single mother with limited resources, I knew that I needed to create something that not only provided for my son and me but also allowed me to give back to the world in a meaningful way. My private practice was that something. It was a place where I could help women navigate the complexities of life, just as I had done. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t enough.

I had a vision—one that scared me because it was so much bigger than anything I had ever done. I wanted to create a place specifically for women, a place where they could find their inner strength, develop self-belief, and become the best versions of themselves. I wanted to build a community, a center that would empower women not just through therapy, but through a shared experience of growth and healing.

The First Leap: Expanding Beyond Myself

Taking that first step away from the security of my private practice was terrifying. I was comfortable. I had a steady stream of clients, a reliable income, and the freedom to work on my terms. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was meant for something more. So, I took a leap of faith.

I started by expanding to two offices. This wasn’t just a logistical challenge; it was an emotional one. I was putting my vision to the test. My first hire was a close friend—someone I trusted deeply, someone who shared my passion for helping women. I supported her by filling her client load through the marketing and referral programs I had already established. Within three months, she had a full caseload. It was a moment of validation. It showed me that this dream of mine wasn’t just possible—it was necessary.

Building a Center for Empowerment

With the success of those first few months, my confidence grew. I realized that if I could fill two therapists’ schedules so quickly, I could do more. I could build the center I had always envisioned. So, I did something that scared me all over again—I maxed out a few credit cards, took a deep breath, and opened a five-office suite in Longmont, Colorado.

This was no small step. It was a massive investment—financially, emotionally, and mentally. But I believed in the mission. I believed that women needed a space like this, and I was determined to make it happen, even if it meant taking on substantial risk. Within a year, the practice was thriving. The Longmont location became a beacon for women in the community, a place where they could come to heal, grow, and rediscover their strength.

Trusting My Intuition: Expanding to Boulder

With the success of Longmont, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. But I also knew that this was just the beginning. My intuition told me that I needed to keep growing, to keep pushing the boundaries of what was possible. So, I took another leap and opened a second location—a beautiful old estate home in Boulder, Colorado.

Boulder was a perfect fit for the vision of Colorado Women’s Center. The town’s vibrant, progressive community was exactly where I wanted to plant deeper roots. I added administrative staff support, and within the year, the two locations were on their way to success. The Boulder location, with its warm, inviting atmosphere, quickly became a place where women could come to feel safe, supported, and empowered.

A Statewide Presence: Fort Collins, Broomfield, and Denver

As the Longmont and Boulder locations continued to thrive, I knew it was time to expand even further. The overwhelming positive response from the Colorado community encouraged me to take the next steps. We opened a location near the CSU campus in Fort Collins, followed by Broomfield, a suburb of Denver, and then downtown Denver itself.

This expansion was a whirlwind. In just two years, we went from one five-office suite to 30 offices in five locations along the Colorado Front Range. The growth was astonishing, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Managing multiple locations, hiring and training new staff, and maintaining the quality and integrity of our services required immense effort and dedication. But it was worth every moment.

Creating a Culture of Excellence

One of the most critical aspects of our success has been our commitment to operational excellence. From the very beginning, I knew that if we were going to grow, we had to do it right. That meant having best-in-class staff training, setting high standards, and creating a culture that attracted the very best therapists in the area.

We moved from a 1099 model to a W2 model, offering 401K plans, benefits, and competitive compensation packages. But beyond the financials, we focused on building a culture that empowers our staff to thrive. We align with our vision of supporting women in their journey to self-discovery and empowerment. Our values of Trust, Courage, Tenacity, Community, and Future Forward are not just words—they are the foundation of everything we do.

The Unique Value of Colorado Women’s Center

Colorado Women’s Center is unique in many ways. We are an out-of-network provider with a specific and core mission and brand. We focus on creating a healing and welcoming environment for our clients. While we offer virtual sessions, our essence is rooted in the actual spa-like locations we’ve created. These spaces are designed to hold women in an environment of healing and empowerment.

Our approach has resonated deeply with the community. In 2024, we were named one of the Colorado Companies to Watch—one of 50 winners out of over 1,000 nominated companies at the second stage of growth. This recognition is a testament to the impact we’ve had on the lives of women across Colorado.

Growing Through Authentic Connection

A significant part of our growth has been our commitment to authentic connection. We focus on publishing empowering content on our social media channels, creating video content that has received over 5 million views, and writing website content that speaks directly to the needs of our clients. Our goal is to create a sense of relevancy and relatability, to show women that we understand their struggles and are here to support them.

Looking to the Future

As I reflect on the journey of building Colorado Women’s Center, I am filled with a sense of pride and gratitude. But I am also filled with excitement for the future. We have plans to open additional locations in Colorado and beyond. Our mission to empower women through mental health and therapy is more important now than ever, and we are committed to continuing this work.

Building Colorado Women’s Center has been the greatest achievement of my life. It has allowed me to turn my own struggles into a source of strength for others. It has given me the opportunity to create a space where women can come to rediscover themselves, to heal, to grow, and to thrive. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

This is just the beginning. The journey continues, and I am honored to walk it with every woman who steps through our doors. Together, we will continue to shine a light on women’s strength and help them exceed their expectations. The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

About the Author

Kendra Miguez is the CEO and Founder of the Colorado Women's Center, which operates five beautifully designed locations across Colorado. With extensive experience in psychotherapy and counseling, Kendra has a dedicated focus on empowering women to reach their fullest potential.

Under her leadership, the Colorado Women's Center has flourished into a vibrant and welcoming space, employing over 60 therapists and staff members who have provided mental health services to more than 5,000 clients throughout Colorado. Kendra's inspiring journey and impactful message have made her a highly sought-after speaker and an award-winning leader. Her work has been recognized in prestigious outlets such as Oprah Daily and various podcasts and news platforms. Most recently, the Colorado Women's Center was honored with the Colorado Companies to Watch Award, a testament to its significant impact in the community.

Kendra holds two advanced degrees in psychology: an M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver and an M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.

She is available for speaking engagements where she shares her deep insights on mental health, personal growth, and empowerment. Kendra offers her expertise at conferences, workshops, retreats, and other events focused on fostering personal and professional development.

For bookings, please contact Kendra at marketing@coloradowomenscenter.com.

In addition to her professional achievements, Kendra is a mother of two young boys and a step-mother of one. She enjoys spending her free time immersed in nature, whether it be the blue oceans or high mountains, practicing yoga, reading, and cherishing moments with her family and friends.

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