Adam Ratner & Wendy Hayum-Gross of Grow Wellness

In this episode of Ted Listens, I sat down with Adam Ratner and Wendy Hayum-Gross, the co-founders of Grow Wellness Group, a mental health organization that has grown from a single-practitioner practice into a team of 150 serving more than 5,000 clients across Illinois. Their journey is a testament to building with purpose, scaling thoughtfully, and keeping people—not just numbers—at the center.

What began as Adam’s solo practice quickly revealed the limits of working alone in a field where demand for quality therapy is vast. Enter Wendy, a seasoned HR executive who initially joined as a mentor but soon became a partner. Together, they built a co-leadership model grounded in empathy, shared vision, and a commitment to designing every aspect of the organization—staffing, policies, client services—with intention.

Wendy’s expertise brought structure and systems that allowed the culture to thrive. At Grow, culture isn’t a slogan, it’s embedded in daily practice: clients are paired with therapists based on compatibility, clinicians receive dedicated support to avoid burnout, and leadership remains transparent and accessible. Both Adam and Wendy credit therapy themselves as essential to how they lead, a rare and refreshing acknowledgment in the business world.

What sets their story apart is how they frame growth. Expansion isn’t about building an empire, but about expanding access to care while protecting the human connection at the heart of therapy. They spoke openly about balancing business realities with clinical integrity, showing that scale and compassion can—and should—coexist.

As they look ahead, Adam and Wendy are exploring new services and markets, but only through the lens of sustainability and mission. Their journey shows that when leaders stay anchored in values, growth becomes not just possible, but transformative for communities.

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