What if building a successful OT business isn't about working harder, doing more or following somebody else's formula? For many Occupational Therapists, starting a business is about creating more freedom, doing meaningful work and having greater control over their time. But when you're also navigating parenthood, changing priorities and your own personal growth, the way you work may need to change, too. In this episode of the OT Yourself to Freedom Podcast, Beki Eakins is joined by Meg Smeraglia, OTR/L, to explore what it means to build a business that genuinely fits your life, rather than forcing yourself into a model that leaves you exhausted. Together, they discuss why there is no single right way to build a business, how self-understanding can influence the way you work, and why following what genuinely interests you can lead to a more fulfilling professional life. They also explore the fear of judgement within the OT profession, the pressure to fit into traditional expectations, and how Occupational Therapists can begin to recognise their unique strengths and bring more of themselves into their work. Whether you're an OT parent, considering entrepreneurship or already running a business that no longer fits your current season of life, this conversation is an invitation to rethink the hustle and find a more sustainable way forward. In this episode, you'll discover: Why there's no single right way to build an OT business. How parenthood can change your values, priorities and approach to work. Why understanding yourself matters when creating a sustainable business. How fear of judgement and professional expectations can hold Occupational Therapists back. Why you don't have to copy somebody else's business model to succeed. How to recognise your strengths and build around what genuinely interests you. Why personal growth and business growth often happen together. How to move away from hustle culture and create a business that supports your life. Connect with Beki Are you ready to leave the whinger mindset behind and embrace your inner go-getter? Beki helps OTs worldwide design, launch, and scale their online business Free Resource: Download Beki’s free overnight mindset meditation for free to help you build confidence, overcome money mindset challenges, and develop self-belief. Join OT Yourself To Freedom Membership: Discover the only membership designed specifically for OTs to create freedom-based businesses by leveraging the skills you already have. Learn to design and sell offers, market effectively, and align your work with your purpose. Follow Beki: Website: www.bekieakins.com Instagram: OT Yourself to Freedom Facebook Group: OT Freedom Community LinkedIn: Beki Eakins Book an Inspiration Call : https://otfreedom.bekieakins.com/widget/booking/JfKQUgoHVwsRF5gqBs4W Meet Meg Smeraglia Meg Smeraglia, OTR/L, is a Lifestyle Designer who blends her expertise in Human Design and holistic Occupational Therapy with practical, whole-person support. She helps clients better understand themselves and translate that insight into more aligned decisions, sustainable energy, fulfilling work, and a lifestyle that actually feels good to live in. Drawing on her background in mental health OT, sensory regulation, mindfulness and holistic wellness, Meg helps people understand their individual needs, strengths and natural rhythms so they can create lives that feel more sustainable and authentic. Connect with Meg: Website: https://wholebeingot.com Instagram: @wholebeingot Ready to follow your spark? You don't need to build a business that looks like everyone else's. You can create something that reflects your strengths, values, interests and the life you actually want to live. Listen to the episode, reflect on what resonates with you, and consider what might change if you stopped following the hustle and started following your spark instead. Listen to Episode 161 of the OT Yourself to Freedom Podcast now. About the Host Beki Eakins is a business mindset and lifestyle coach for occupational therapists. After leaving traditional OT practice, she has helped hundreds of OTs worldwide design aligned online businesses that support freedom, income, and purpose, without burning out.
