What I Wish I’d Known Before Starting My Occupational Therapy Business

For many Occupational Therapists, the idea of building a freedom-based online business feels exciting, yet daunting. We are trained clinically, not entrepreneurially, and the realities of growing a business rarely appear in textbooks or CPD courses. After working with hundreds of OTs around the world to design, launch and scale their online offers, I have noticed that the lessons that matter most are the ones learned in the trenches through trial, burnout, breakthrough and a great deal of personal growth.

If you are an Occupational Therapist dreaming about starting your own online business, or you have already begun the journey, these are the three truths I wish I had understood from the very beginning.

1. High-ticket services are easier to sell than low-ticket offers

This goes against every assumption most Occupational Therapists have when they first enter the online business world. We often believe that lower prices equal easier sales, although in reality the opposite is usually true.

In the early days, I spent too much time creating £20 workshops, £35 memberships and small product bundles. I hustled, networked, followed up with people, chased leads and wrote endless content. Sales came in, but the effort involved far outweighed the return.

When I eventually introduced high-ticket offers, initially under £1,000 and later £2,000, £3,000 and beyond, something unexpected happened. Sales became easier rather than harder.

Why high-ticket is often easier for OTs to sell

• Higher investment attracts more committed clients who take action.

• Low-ticket buyers commonly ask more questions and analyse more, which takes additional time and energy.

• Your OT expertise is inherently high value. You are offering transformation, not just sessions or information.

As Steven Bartlett says, “When you sell transformation, not transactions, people show up differently.”

Most Occupational Therapists undercharge because they assume people already understand the depth of what they do. They do not. Unless you communicate the true transformation you create, your prices will always feel too high, even when they are too low.

2. Sales and self-belief are almost the same thing

Most OTs do not struggle to sell because the offer is wrong. They struggle because they do not fully believe in themselves yet.

This was my biggest obstacle in the beginning. I was comfortable helping others but uncomfortable selling. I preferred hiding behind private conversations, small offers and endless planning instead of allowing myself to be visible.

It was not strategy that changed everything. It was mindset. I had to treat mindset work like brushing my teeth. Journalling, hypnosis, EFT, shadow work and money mindset practices became part of my daily routine. Gradually, self-belief increased and sales followed naturally.

Signs of low self-belief

• Feeling that another qualification is needed before starting.

• Delaying visibility until life is less busy.

• Doubting your worth or your ability to deliver.

• Feeling afraid to raise your prices.

Your self-belief determines your business growth long before your strategy does. Many OTs never launch, never raise their prices or never commit fully because their subconscious believes success is not safe.

The empowering part is that self-belief is a skill. It can be strengthened at any time.

3. Simplicity is your superpower

Almost every new OT business owner starts with ten tabs open, dozens of ideas and endless to-do lists. It feels productive, although it usually leads to overwhelm.

I once believed that being busy meant being successful. In truth, I was unfocused and achieving very little.

Tim Ferriss describes it well when he says that being busy is a form of lazy thinking and indiscriminate action. It sounds harsh, but the more I reflected, the more accurate it felt.

What simplicity looks like in an OT business

• One signature offer instead of several.

• One system for organising your work, not twenty.

• One clear marketing approach.

• Decluttered digital and physical space.

• Focusing on the 20 percent of actions that create 80 percent of results.

Simplicity is not the same as doing less. It is the art of doing the right things. When you simplify your business, you create space for clarity, creativity and abundance to flow into your life and work.

Your dream business is not waiting on another qualification

Occupational Therapists frequently assume they need more clinical training before they can begin. In reality, the foundation of a successful OT-led online business rests on:

• Clarity about your offer

• Belief in your expertise

• Simplicity in your structure and strategy

These elements change everything.

If you are ready to take the next step, here are two ways you can get support depending on the time you have available.

Support Options for Occupational Therapists

OT Yourself to Freedom Membership

Ideal for OTs with 3 to 10 hours per week. This programme teaches you how to build a freedom-based online business in an accessible and affordable way while working around your existing commitments.

OT Freedom Collective (6-Month Programme)

Perfect for OTs with 10 hours per week or more who want faster results. You will receive close guidance from our team, structured mentoring and everything you need to build and scale your business. Many members describe it as life changing.

Ready for personalised support? Book a 1:1 Call

If you want clarity on your niche, offer, pricing, business direction or mindset, you can book a private 1:1 call with me. This is ideal if you want direct guidance tailored to your current situation and goals.

Book your 1:1 call here