Tender Ones Therapy Services

Interviewee Name & Title: Noreen Zulaica, Owner & President
Date of Interview: 4/22/2025
Overview:

Tender Ones Therapy Services (TOTS) is a thriving private practice providing pediatric physical, occupational, speech, and aquatic therapy services across four locations in the Atlanta area. Due to the specialized nature of Tender Ones’ services and the specific needs of their client families, the environment in which they operate can mean the difference between retaining clients and exceptional therapists or losing them. When the lease was up on the company’s Dacula facility, TOTS’ largest location, the owners knew the time was right to create their ideal space, from the ground up.

With care and attention to detail, Premier Building Systems was there every step of the way to help design and build a new TOTS facility that ensures every child and employee who walks through its doors can realize their fullest potential.

Background:

In 2003, physical therapist Noreen Zulaica founded Tender Ones Therapy Services with “a clear vision to provide exceptional care for children with disabilities.” From the start, the mission of TOTS has been to provide top-tier physical, occupational, and speech therapy to the local pediatric population. More than two decades on, TOTS has expanded from one to four locations and handles over 1,200 visits per week.

Challenge

While originally serviceable to TOTS’ needs when the company moved into its rented Dacula location, as its clientele grew it became clear that not only did the business need more space and more therapists, it needed a better space as well. The design of the original building was not optimal for anyone: A poor layout meant staff had trouble efficiently accessing various parts of the facility, the check-in and waiting area could be noisy and chaotic, and the accommodations overall simply were not conducive to offering the highest level of care to the young clientele.

Solution

When it came time to make Zulaica’s vision of the ideal space for TOTS a reality, she knew exactly who to turn to: Premier Building Systems. She says there was no question about whether to go with prefabricated steel or traditional construction materials. She knew that, in terms of value and property costs, steel would be the best investment for the long term.

For the design phase, Zulaica was impressed with PBS’s approach, describing it as very flexible and helpful in figuring out the right choices.

“They showed us all the options, but we never felt pressured,” she said. “They really listened to the details of our vision.”

Since this was TOTS’ first experience with building a new facility, Zulaica wasn’t entirely sure what to expect and at times felt overwhelmed by the process. However, she says PBS did an excellent job of walking her through it. They met multiple times for design revisions and made sure to get the details right. And, while there were some small delays throughout the building process, Zulaica was pleased with PBS’ communication from start to finish.

“Communication was excellent. They kept us updated on progress and the timeline, which made the whole process feel manageable.”

Results

When the new 11,000 square-foot facility was completed, Zulaica saw that her ideal vision for TOTS had come to life. No detail was left unaddressed:

  • The redesigned “fishbowl” reception area could now properly accommodate staff and clients checking in.
  • Smaller treatment areas meant more privacy and better individualized attention for children, while large gym areas meant they could accommodate more clients.
  • Family members now had a comfortable and calm environment in which to wait while their children attended their appointments.
  • The well-insulated building and thoughtfully designed HVAC system has meant a big improvement in climate control and is expected to result in energy cost savings over time.
  • Multiple kitchens, a centralized laundry space, accessible bathrooms throughout, a barrier-free covered patio that serves as an outdoor space for kids, and more have all combined to create an environment where clients and staff can thrive.

Zulaica remarks that, thanks to the new and improved space, TOTS has been able to attract and retain top-quality staff, which has led to increased patient visits and billable hours. In approximately two months, they were able to hire ten new therapists.

“This is a highly customized, specialized facility that works for parents who are there for extended amounts of time. And, it’s definitely more efficient for our therapists,” says Zulaica. “Overall, we’ve created a calmer and more organized environment, which has improved the experience for both clients and staff.”

Future Outlook

While TOTS does not have additional expansion plans currently, Zulaica didn’t hesitate to say she would contact Premier Building Systems for future projects, citing the seamless and manageable nature of the Dacula expansion project.

“We provide the perfect family environment for [children] to succeed and for our staff to reach their professional goals. Now we have the state-of-the-art space necessary to really showcase that vision.”

Tender Ones Therapy Services’s story is one of many we’ve heard throughout the years. Whether they’re looking for an industrial warehouse, a barn or agricultural equipment storage, retail space, or even a home, when our clients see their new prefabricated building transformed into their ideal space in a cost- and time-efficient manner, they note the Premier Building Systems difference. Our clients come back to us: nearly 75% of our business is from repeat customers.

With 30 years of experience in steel building solutions, we provide businesses with the reliable structures they need to grow. Contact Premier Building Systems today to learn how a steel building can work for you!

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