Jen Wirt, the founder of Coral Care noticed her daughter wasn’t moving the way a typical baby should be and was concerned about her development. She sought out help for her and found herself lost in the maze of waitlists, and high rates. So instead of getting frustrated, she got to work, and made something better! Read all about her story and how she balances work and family life with a bonus tip on how to save yourself time with last minute parties!
Welcome Jen! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
My name is Jen, and I’m the founder of Coral Care, a company dedicated to making pediatric developmental therapy more accessible for families. I studied engineering and later transitioned into the business side of technology, working as a product manager in consumer electronics and wearables before shifting into healthcare. For the past five years, my focus has been on leveraging technology to streamline access to healthcare—because getting the right care shouldn’t be complicated. I currently live in the NYC suburbs with my husband, Jon, and our two daughters, Shoshana (8) and Lilah (6). While we’re here for my husband’s job, I spent nearly five years in Texas and absolutely loved it—I still dream about moving back one day! Weekends in my house revolve around kids’ activities, birthday parties, and the logistics of parenting. But when we get a rare free day, we love going on easy hikes, exploring farmers’ markets, and finding fun little adventures as a family.
We are all about supporting woman and mom owned businesses over here in this corner of the internet. Tell us more about Coral Care?
At Coral Care, we make it simple for families to get their child the therapy they need—without the long waitlists, endless paperwork, or hours spent driving to appointments. Parents can book online in minutes, and a trusted speech, occupational, or physical therapist comes directly to their home. No crowded clinics, no confusing processes—just expert care from someone you can trust, in the comfort of your own home.
This mission is deeply personal to me. When my daughter showed signs of developmental delays, I saw firsthand how overwhelming the process was—long waitlists, confusing insurance requirements, and a system that often left families feeling lost. I kept thinking, If this is this hard for me, how are other parents managing? That experience pushed me to build Coral Care—a solution that removes the barriers to care so families can focus on what really matters: helping their child thrive.
We support children of all ages, from toddlers to teens, with a wide range of needs, including:
✔️ Speech and language delays – From first words to social communication skills
✔️ Sensory processing differences – Helping kids regulate and engage with the world around them
✔️ Feeding and oral motor challenges – Expanding diets and improving mealtime experiences
✔️ Fine and gross motor delays – Strengthening skills for handwriting, coordination, and mobility
✔️ Autism and neurodivergence support – Tailored therapy to help kids thrive in their own way
✔️ Executive functioning and life skills – Building independence, organization, and confidence for school and beyond
Too many families wait months—sometimes over a year—to get the therapy their child needs. I started Coral Care to change that. We make high-quality pediatric therapy easy, convenient, and stress-free for parents—so kids get the support they need, when they need it.
Any promotions you’d like to share with our community with Coral Care?
Yes! We’re offering $100 off an evaluation for speech, physical, or occupational therapy, bringing the total cost down to just $150. Use code GREATERAUSTINMOMS when you book your evaluation online. One of our amazing providers will come to your home for a thorough clinical evaluation.
Our mission is to Give Moms the Gift of Time– What are your best time saving tips/resources as a mom?
Outsource the small stuff when you can. Instacart, Amazon, and meal delivery services are lifesavers.
Lower the bar (just a little). Sometimes, the best way to save time is to let go of perfection. Chicken nuggets for lunch again? Fine. Laundry still in baskets instead of folded? Who cares?
Shop your own gift closet. I keep a stash of brand-new toys and gifts in my basement—things we’ve received but don’t need, or great deals I’ve picked up along the way. When a birthday party comes up, I skip the last-minute Target run and “shop” my own gift closet. It saves time, money, and stress!
What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your business?
One of the biggest challenges has been ensuring that our therapists feel valued and supported. So many incredible pediatric clinicians burn out in traditional clinic settings, dealing with long hours, low pay, and too much paperwork. A big part of our mission is creating a better way for them to work—one where they have flexibility, fair compensation, and more time to focus on their patients.
As we grow, we’re constantly looking for talented therapists who want to build meaningful, flexible careers on their own terms. If you’re an SLP, OT, or PT looking for a better way to practice, we’d love to connect!
Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?
Our mission is to help as many kids as possible access the care they need, which means expanding into more parts of the country. But even as we grow, we believe in staying deeply connected to each community we serve. That means building strong local provider networks and becoming a trusted, go-to resource for families. We also want to continue innovating—whether that’s expanding into new areas of care, making the insurance process easier, or providing more support for parents navigating their child’s developmental journey.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why and how long would you stay?
Like so many moms, I’m tired. My dream trip right now would be a 4-day spa weekend—just long enough to fully unwind, but not so long that I come home to complete chaos. Somewhere with beautiful scenery, amazing massages, and a pool where I can sit with a book sounds perfect.
What’s something interesting about yourself or something others may not know about you?
I took a 3-year career break when my daughters were born. I had so much anxiety—first about stepping away from work, and then about whether I’d ever have a place coming back. I worried that all my hard work building a career had been wasted. Turns out, I was wrong. Not only did I find my way back, but I built Coral Care in a way that helps others do the same. Now, I get to support incredible clinicians in building careers that fit into their lives, instead of forcing their lives to fit into their careers.