The start of alumna Arunie Siyavong’s business happened with one simple question: Why not now?
“I had this idea of opening a 3D/4D ultrasound studio in the future,” the 2020 Newman University graduate in diagnostic medical sonography said. “I told my fiancé about this idea, and he asked, ‘Why in the future?’”
Less than two months later, the couple was in Pennsylvania looking at an ultrasound machine, which they ended up purchasing. Siyavong also found out she was pregnant with baby number two.
“So, during my whole entire pregnancy, I was trying to build my business,” she said. “I had my baby boy in September 2022, and I officially opened up for business [in Wichita] that following month.”
Glimpse of Love, which is by appointment only, strictly provides 3D/4D and 5D elective ultrasounds that are meant to be a fun experience for parents to bond with their baby. Siyavong also offers early gender ultrasounds starting at 14 weeks.
“I have always enjoyed performing obstetrician ultrasound exams, but sometimes in a hospital setting, you’re not able to provide your patient with a bonding experience in a fun and unique way,” she explained. “A lot of the time the workload is busy, so we’re trying to get each patient done as fast and efficient as possible in order to get to the next. I wanted to be able to offer parents with ultrasounds where they can enjoy seeing their baby, not feel rushed and spend time enjoying the moment.”
In addition to the ultrasounds, Glimpse of Love sells heartbeat teddy bears, personalized onesies, personalized gender reveal balloons and other gender reveal items.
So far, what Siyavong has enjoyed most about being a small business owner is the ability to set her own schedule and spend time with her two little ones and fiancé. She also loves seeing how happy and excited families are when they see their baby in full detail on the ultrasound.
I wanted to be able to offer parents with ultrasounds where they can enjoy seeing their baby, not feel rushed and spend time enjoying the moment.
Arunie Siyavong ’20
“It truly brings me happiness to see other people’s happiness,” she said.
In the future, Siyavong, who’s the sole employee of Glimpse of Love, hopes to have multiple ultrasound machines and hire other sonographers to work for her.
“I also want to have a venue that people can rent out for special occasions such as gender reveals, baby showers and birthdays,” she shared. “I feel like it goes hand in hand with the current business I have.”
While Siyavong has built her business, she’s carried with her the impact of two Newman faculty members.
“I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without Director of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Brooke Ward and Clinical Coordinator of Sonography Lindsay Harris,” she said. “They accepted me into the competitive sonography program, and they did their best to teach us what we needed to know going into clinicals.”
Siyavong also makes special mention of her fiancé, who has had a huge impact on her journey with Glimpse of Love.
“If it weren’t for his push and motivation, I probably wouldn’t have stepped outside of my comfort zone,” she said.
Earn a sonography degree
While earning a sonography degree, students are trained to be highly skilled medical professionals that perform diagnostic ultrasound testing under the supervision of a physician.
