This capstone experience aimed to develop a resource guide for the Texas Occupational Therapy (OT) entrepreneur under the mentorship of a Texas OT private practice owner.
Student name: Sydney Simpson
Name of Mentor: Michelle Holloway, OTD, MHL, CAPS
School: Abilene Chrisitan University
Capstone setting: Lifestyle Transitions (Fort Worth, TX)
Virtual / In-person / Hybrid: In-Person
Capstone Objectives: The objectives of this capstone experience were to acquire knowledge of the day-to-day operations of an OT private practice and to author a peer-reviewed guide for prospective OT entrepreneurs with no prior business background.
Method/Design/Approach: Qualitative data was obtained via survey and interviews with OT entrepreneurs in Texas, as well as observation and a review of the literature. Specific data collected emphasized the challenges of OT entrepreneurship and resource recommendations for OTs interested in private practice. Qualitative data was analyzed and incorporated into the final guidebook.
Results/Outcomes: The resulting capstone project bridges the gap between the clinical expertise of an OTP and the entrepreneurial knowledge needed to start a private practice, which is not typically included in our clinical training. This project contains over 150 resources to support OTPs in the initial stages of launching their practice.
Conclusions: Due to the immense value private practice brings to OT, this project was created to help address both the real and perceived barriers that hinder aspiring entrepreneurs from launching a successful business. This guide will empower OTPs to realize that launching a business on their own is achievable. It will assist OTPs, already equipped with the clinical competency, to become successful entrepreneurs and benefit communities across Texas with their unique, valuable OT services.
Ideas for next steps to build on this topic:
- Develop a resource guide for different states, including their specific policies and regulations.
- Make a guide specific to one aspect of starting a small business (ex., marketing, financial planning, etc.)
Reflections on how you see this project influencing your OT career trajectory: Before this capstone experience, I had no prior business knowledge. However, I now feel empowered with a strong foundation in the process and available resources should I choose to pursue a business in the future.
Deliverables: The resource guide can be found on the Texas Occupational Therapy Association website at https://www.tota.org/private-practice-management. Capstone research and all deliverables can be found at "Developing a Resource Guide for the Texas Occupational Therapy Entrepr" by Sydney Simpson.