Breaking Free from Traditional OT Models: Redesigning Your Business for Freedom and Fulfilment

Hello, I'm Beki Eakins, a Business Mindset and Lifestyle Coach for Occupational Therapists (OTs). My focus is on empowering OTs to create freedom-based online businesses by packaging their unique skills into innovative offers that not only feel good to deliver but sell with ease. Having transitioned from my OT profession, I’ve guided hundreds of clients to craft lives that inspire them. This blog post summarises the insights from my recent podcast episode.

Overcoming the Trap of Traditional OT Business Models

Many OTs, particularly those already running their own practices, often feel like victims of their success. While demand for their services remains high, their time is stretched thin, raising the question: Is this sustainable?

The traditional pay-per-session or group therapy model, though familiar, is inherently limiting. It ties your income to the hours you can work, making it nearly impossible to scale without hiring staff or burning out. Over time, this creates a cycle of stress, leaving OTs overworked, constantly problem-solving, and on the brink of exhaustion.

Rethinking Success: A Smarter Business Model

It’s time to break free from the belief that business growth equals more hours or more staff. A smart business model should align with your personal lifestyle goals and values while offering freedom and scalability. Here’s how to start:

1. Prioritise Lifestyle in Business Design

Ask yourself:

• What does my ideal lifestyle look like?
• How many hours do I want to work?
• Where do I want to work from?
• Do I want to retire young?

From the start, design your business to accommodate these goals. For instance, if you crave flexibility, consider online services that leverage automation tools like Kajabi to allow parts of your business to run while you sleep.

2. Identify Your Dream Client

Shift your focus from serving everyone to attracting clients who align with your vision. While current clients may resist change, countless others will value a reimagined service offering. Start by asking yourself:

• Who is my perfect client?
• What challenges do they face that I can solve uniquely?

Don’t limit your thinking to what’s familiar. Your unique skills, combined with your life experiences, are likely pointing towards a niche where you can make the most impact.

3. Create a Premium Offer

Clients aren’t just paying for your time; they’re paying for the outcomes and transformations you provide. A premium offer could include:

• Comprehensive coaching programmes
• Group sessions with added community support
• High-touch accountability services

High-ticket services allow you to deliver deeper value while working fewer hours. Remember, clients value life-changing results and are willing to invest in them.

Ethics and Accessibility: Can You Charge More and Still Make a Difference?

One concern OTs often voice is accessibility. Many feel compelled to offer affordable services to everyone. However, designing your business around the lowest-paying clients often leads to burnout and limits your ability to help others.

Consider adopting a tiered approach:

• Offer free content (blogs, social media posts, lead magnets)
• Provide affordable entry-level services
• Reserve premium services for those ready to invest in transformational results

Additionally, you can introduce scholarships or charity spots to maintain accessibility while ensuring your business thrives.

The Case for Online and High-Ticket Services

The global shift towards online services has created an unprecedented opportunity for OTs to scale their impact. Clients increasingly prefer premium, outcome-focused solutions that fit seamlessly into their lives. High-ticket offers allow you to:

• Deliver personalised, high-value experiences
• Automate repetitive tasks and processes
• Achieve financial freedom without overworking

For example, one client transitioned from offering a low-cost membership to a six-month high-ticket coaching programme for parents. The result? They doubled their income in six months and delivered deeper, lasting results to their clients.

The Mindset Shift: Thinking Bigger

As OTs, we’re often conditioned to operate within constraints—budget limits, system demands, and traditional delivery models. Shifting to a premium service model requires a mindset shift. It’s about:

• Believing in the value of your expertise
• Recognising that transformation often comes from higher levels of support
• Understanding that clients are willing to invest in life-changing outcomes

Conclusion: Building a Business That Works for You

The world needs happy, energised, and innovative OTs—not burnt-out professionals trapped in unsustainable models. By embracing online tools, automation, and premium services, you can design a business that gives you freedom while delivering unmatched value to your clients.

If you’re ready to explore this path, I’d love to help