On a calm weekday morning at Therapeutic Focus in West Memphis, Arkansas, owner LaTeasha Davis sat in her office surrounded by color-coded charts, framed children’s artwork, and the gentle sounds of therapy sessions down the hall. It’s a meaningful contrast to the early days, when she poured her heart into the business and relied on passion alone to keep it going.

Today, Davis runs a sustainable enterprise that has not only found its financial footing but is expanding its reach — and she credits Communities Unlimited (CU) with helping her see the business through a new lens.

Over the past year, Davis said her company’s growth has been “exponential.” What began as an act of compassion for children with developmental challenges has become a model of how strategic planning and financial literacy can turn a small-town therapy clinic into a scalable, sustainable enterprise.

Through CU’s Entrepreneurship Team, Davis continued to work closely with Management Consultant Tracy Cook. Their collaboration, built on years of partnership, shifted focus toward long-term sustainability — tightening financial projections, refining labor costs, and developing a clear growth strategy.

“At first, those projections just looked like numbers on paper,” Davis said. “Honestly, I didn’t think they’d be achievable. But now, when I compare last year to this year, I see those numbers told a story and showed the direction my business was headed. It’s been amazing to realize we’ve met and exceeded them.”

Therapeutic Focus has achieved roughly 20% year-over-year growth and continues to expand both its in-person and virtual services across Arkansas. The company now employs 29 people — up from 26 a year ago — and Davis plans to add a few more soon to meet rising demand.

A key turning point came when Davis followed CU’s recommendation to secure a line of credit through Southern Bancorp — a move she once feared but now calls a “game changer.” In her field, insurance reimbursements can take 45 to 60 days, leaving payroll gaps that strain small clinics. The new credit line gave her breathing room and confidence to plan for the future.

“It has taken so much stress off my shoulders,” Davis said. “Having that cushion has been huge.”

CU’s assistance didn’t stop there. Together, they built financial projections to ensure the new credit line strengthened — rather than strained — the company’s balance sheet. They also developed strategies to improve her debt-to-equity ratio, positioning the business for continued growth while maintaining stability.

Beyond numbers, Davis has grown as a leader. Once spontaneous in her decision-making, she now describes herself as “intentional and strategic,” a shift reflected in her hiring, departmental structure, and overall management style.

Looking ahead, Davis hopes to open a second location to meet rising demand for therapy services across Arkansas. She’s taking her time, praying over the decision, and ensuring it aligns with her mission to provide “ethical, high-quality” therapy to children in underserved areas.

For Davis, the journey from uncertainty to empowerment has been more than a business success story — it’s proof that with the right support, even the most passionate mission can become a sustainable enterprise.

“I truly feel that Therapeutic Focus has made leaps and bounds this past year,” Davis said. “My academic degrees gave me tools, but it was the business knowledge I lacked. Being in a rural, underserved area, I didn’t always have access to that.”