EPISODE 055 | When OT Advocacy is the Backbone of Your Recurring Revenue Model With Clarice Grote

Today we’re rolling out another Rogue Spotlight Interview where we’re featuring an OT who’s thinking outside the box and doing things differently in terms of how they’re using their education and experience to serve their audience.

Clarice Grote is an occupational therapist, medicare specialist and health policy consultant based in the United States. She’s also the Founder and CEO of Amplify OT, a company dedicated to educating and encouraging occupational therapy practitioners and students to engage with Medicare policy and advocacy.

Now if you’re thinking this episode doesn’t apply to you because you’re not working with medicare or you’re not American, think again.

During my interview with Clarice, we’re talking more about her journey as an entrepreneur, her experience with pivoting from an online course to a membership model and the work she’s doing behind the scenes on building out a stronger infrastructure for her business so that it’s more profitable AND sustainable.

If you have any feedback or thoughts that you want to share with me OR with Clarice, take a quick screenshot and share with us on IG, tag us @otsgonerogue.com and @amplify_ot.

To access Clarice's OT Reimbursement Podcast Playlist and Guide, go to:  amplifyot.com/playlist 

To find out more about her membership, go to: amplifyot.com/membership

For the latest show notes and full episodes, make sure you head over to otsgonerogue.com/podcast.

If you don’t want to miss any future episodes including upcoming episodes in this series, make sure you are subscribed to the OTs Gone Rogue podcast on apple, spotify or stitcher or wherever else you listen to podcasts. 

Transcript

You're listening to the OTs Gone Rogue Podcast, where we inspire therapists to think outside the box and do things differently. I'm your host, Melissa LaPointe. My passion is in helping ot entrepreneurs have a bigger impact on the world while building a life they love and doing transformative work that lights them up. On each episode of the show, I'm going to share tools and tricks to help you flex your entrepreneurial muscles and grow your business from the inside out. I want to see more OTS step up as visionary leaders, change makers and influential CEOs. So let's get started.

Hey there and welcome back to the OTs Gone Rogue Podcast. Today we're rolling out another rogue spotlight interview where we're featuring an OT who's thinking outside the box and doing things differently in terms of how they're using their education, and experience to serve their audience. Clarice grody is an occupational therapist, Medicare specialist, and health policy consultant based in the United States. She's also the founder and CEO of amplify OT, a company dedicated to educating and encouraging ot practitioners and students to engage with Medicare policy and advocacy. Now, if you're thinking that this episode might not apply to you, because you're not working with Medicare, or you're not American, think again. During my interview with Clarice we're talking more about her journey as an OT entrepreneur, her experience with pivoting from an online course to a membership model, and the work she's doing behind the scenes on building out a stronger infrastructure for her business, so that it's more profitable and sustainable. And of course, for our US based listeners who are interested in knowing more about the amazing work she's doing with Medicare, we're linking her contact details in the show notes. So without further ado, let's roll out my spotlight interview with Clarice grody.

All right, welcome back, everyone to another episode of the OTs Gone Rogue Podcast. And Clarice welcome to the podcast. We've been talking about this for a while, and we're here.

Clarice Grote  2:29  
I'm so excited to be here and chatting with you. I've been longtime listener.

Melissa LaPointe  2:34  
So, so awesome. So let's get started. I mean, they've heard a little bit of an intro, but I always like them to hear it in your words. So can you tell us a little bit more about who you are, how you're connected to the OT profession? And of course, because we are an international group, where are you geographically?

Clarice Grote 2:54  
Yeah, so I'm Clarice grody. I am an Occupational Therapist. So that's how I'm connected to the wonderful profession. I am located in Durham, North Carolina in the United States. And so I have been an OT for about five years. I think I'm like a week away from my five year anniversary. But I am a Medicare specialist. I love policy. I love advocacy. I did a lot of volunteer work right from the get go, which is how I kind of fast tracked my career and my professional experiences. I'm sure we'll get into a little bit. But that's, that's who I am. That's what I do. And I just I love occupational therapy. I like how we think I like what we do. And I think we're a solution to many of the world's problems.

Melissa LaPointe  3:39  
Well, and every time because sometimes I forget how long you've been an occupational therapist. And every time you say that, I'm like, Oh, right. She's still a baby.

Clarice Grote  3:50  
By some definitions, I am still considered a new grad. Some people cut it off at three others cut it off at five. So

Melissa LaPointe  3:56  
wow, wow. So this is a great, you know, let's let's dive in. So how did you fast track because you are positioning yourself, the work that you're doing your area of focus, but also where you are as an entrepreneur and your level of visibility. For someone that has been, you know, we're busting a lot of myths. And I love that because I think people have this preconceived notion that they do need to be practicing for a certain amount of time before they can think outside the box before they can go rogue and do something different with their career. At what point so I'm going to start spoon feeding you some questions because I realized I just dumped out let's talk. I'm very excited about this. At what point after graduating or did it happen before graduation when you knew you were going to be doing something a little bit different beyond the more traditional route of clinical care.

Clarice Grote  4:56  
So I have always been very leadership man I did policy minded, that's just kind of how I was raised. You know, my dad's a lawyer, my mom is an intelligence analyst in the army. So two very high achieving individuals. And we were kind of pushed into that high achieving category, you know. And so, I'd always held a bunch of different leadership roles, both in high school and an undergraduate. And that continued into my graduate experience, I went to Columbia University out in New York. I as a fieldwork student, though, so I always kind of knew I wanted to eventually get into management, it's where I think I have a lot of great skills, it's why I love being an OT is because I love that evaluative nature of occupational or being an occupational therapist. And so that kind of the way that I like to think I think, aligns really well with management. And that's where I wanted to go into. So when I was in school was during the 2016 presidential election, which for anyone who may not know, that was when Donald Trump was running against Hillary Clinton. And that was also a time where there was a lot of conversation around repealing the Affordable Care Act, or what people know as Obamacare. That piece of legislation specifically had a lot of importance for myself, for our family, and then also for the profession of occupational therapy. And so I felt like I really wanted to do something I wanted my voice to be represented, I wanted to advocate, both of my parents said, a really great example of advocacy for type one diabetes, or my dad did a lot of really great work on payday loan reform in our state home state of Missouri. And so I knew that advocacy works, and that it's really important. And so I started seeking out opportunities to do that, which is where I found out that I could do a level two experience with the American Occupational Therapy Association. And so that's where I really kind of took a pivot in my career, because like any new grad, right, you're trying to figure out, what do I want to do? Who do I want to work with? All I knew is I didn't want to do peds. That was very clear. You know, so but doing that level two at a OTA. So I spent 12 weeks living in Washington, DC, working with the federal affairs team, which is responsible for lobbying Congress. That's where it really clicked for me was like, Oh, I love the way that this makes me think, I love the way that policy makes my brain really work. It's like solving this weird puzzle. And so that's where things really kind of clicked for me that I want to do something related to policy in my career. And so then I set my sights on that. And so ever since that experience, everything that I've done has been in alignment with trying to achieve that goal of either working for a OTA or working in some sort of policy, regulatory advocacy related field where I could make a difference in how our healthcare system works.

Melissa LaPointe  7:43  
I love this in so many ways, because I think already our listeners are hearing yet another example of thinking outside the box in how we show up as OTs and all the different ways that we can be taking our training and our schooling and our education and our experiences and do something with that. So at this point, you are considered, you're self employed, correct? Yes. Okay, and what are you doing to generate revenue?

Clarice Grote  8:18  
So my company is amplify OT. So we're amplify occupational therapy, I started in 2020. And I really didn't know, I honestly, I didn't know it'd become a business. I really just started a website to be like, kind of like an online portfolio. I wanted a place where I could write about policy and advocacy to get information out to people, but also to kind of use to help leverage getting a job because I this was when I had only about three and a half years of experience. So I knew I was young. I knew that companies might not take me seriously. And so I really wanted a place where I could send them and be like, Look, I do know what I'm talking about, I promise, we know. And so that was kind of the first start. And so it's it's changed a lot in the last let's see, I started in 2020. So I'm going into my third year of business, it's changed a lot. So what I'm doing now is I have for pre products, I have blogs and podcasts. And that's where I disseminate a lot of my information. But to make revenue, I first started a course my mastering ot policy and Medicare course, which I then later repackaged into the amplify ot membership, which is what I launched in January. And that is my primary revenue through my business that's entirely hosted and put together by me. And but beyond that I do various like consulting or contracting jobs. So I have a contract to help produce work sometimes for a OTA or national association. That's work that's completely separate in terms of like what I produce for amplify IoT, but then also, I do so I Wanna Be very clear that I do not represent a OTA, I'm not employee of a OTA, I just help them out with resources every now and then. And then I do various other contracts like CPUs or podcast content area expert, it just kind of depends, but it's all related to that policy work.

Melissa LaPointe  10:15  
Hmm, amazing, good stuff. So on that note, because this is something that I'm often on a soapbox around is really understanding the fundamentals, and why I struggle with teaching people how to create an online course, or create a membership program. And really understanding that when we're building these digital products, or these digital programs, that there are some key fundamentals, and you don't know what you don't know. And sometimes we may have this idea of what we think is going to be the right fit. And then life happens, our businesses change, we change our audiences change, or we just get to know how to better serve our people. So we have to try something. And I want people in my community to understand those fundamentals so that ultimately, if for when it comes time to make a pivot, they don't feel like they're starting back at the beginning, they're able to take what they know, and tweak it in terms of deliverability in terms of the way their systems are set up in the term in the way that their sales and marketing is setup. And you are a great example of when you and I first connected, you had this online course. And you were looking to make a shift. So can you explain a little bit more what motivated you what was the instigator in knowing you wanted to take this online course that was that was doing well, but you had a different idea, you have saw a different potential for it. So what was that instigating factor for you?

Clarice Grote 11:59  
So for me, I, there's a couple different things, there's the business side where I really wanted some form of reoccurring revenue, because it gives me a little bit more stability in my business a little bit more consistency. It was, you know, it was fantastic. Having like my my course was where I really had significant financial success in terms of that I was able to make four figures in one month before that it was like two or $300, here or there, which is fine to keep my website alive, but isn't really anything that I'm going to be able to take home. So my course was where I was initially successful. But from the business perspective, it's really challenging to make a good chunk of money one month, and then try and budget it out for four months until I launch again. So you know, it from a business perspective, it made sense to kind of switch to a model where there's a little bit more of that reoccurring revenue from that mindset, where it provides me a little bit more of that stability, to be able to consistently invest in something, and also gives me a little bit more financial stability, to make investments to improve my business and to provide a better experience to my customers from the personals perspective. And the serving perspective, my course was doing well. But there really wasn't a lot of interaction with the people who are signing up for my course. So my course is sold to not only practitioners, but also occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs. So I actually had two cohorts that were going through my course. And I was getting feedback and hearing from people that they were either kind of picking up information that wasn't exactly the way that I intended it, or, you know, professors were getting questions. So there really wasn't a lot of that back and forth, because it was just an online course. So there wasn't really enough opportunity for me personally, to have connections with people and really be able to serve as that content area expert. And so I wanted to switch it into a membership into a platform that really functions more like a community. So the course is there as a resource. But, you know, Medicare is hard. So what I talked about a lot is Medicare policy, it's about reimbursement. And it can be confusing. And so sometimes just hearing it the first time or hearing a summary, you can walk away with information that may not be fully accurate. So there always has to be kind of a conversation around it. And I wanted people to have easy access to me as a content expert or someone to be able to help them navigate through issues at work, and also to be able to network and connect with each other. So when I developed my membership, I was very intentional of picking a website that would allow me to have a community so it kind of looks like a social media site like a Facebook where there's groups and forums and activity feed. And I picked that with the intention that it would look like a community versus it just being an online course. So it was both a good decision in my opinion from like the business perspective and supporting what I need to do in order to mean remain open. But also that personal perspective where you know, occupational therapy practitioners were a social bunch we liked to talk, we like to be with each other. I'm working here by myself all day, you know, I don't really have like a team. So it feels that side of it personally where I feel like I'm able to give back to the profession and communicate with people, people feel like they have more access to me, because that's also feedback I got as people like, I wish I just was able to, like, send you questions. And so I built that into my membership platform. And so there's still lots of room for improvement. I've got lots of ideas to do. So it's been a good investment from the business perspective allows me to really support my business longer term, and also allows me to meet that community need of being able to converse and have conversations around policy and advocacy. What were some of

Melissa LaPointe  15:38  
the challenges? Or were there any now this is relatively new? So when did you first open the doors to your membership?

Clarice Grote  15:47  
I first opened the doors, the very last week of January slash first week of February. Okay. So there was a lot of challenges mainly in the technical aspect. And it was also a pretty big financial risk, I put a lot of money investing into the platform, it required me to build a new website, essentially, because it's a separate it's a subdomain of my current website without getting too technical, but required man hours time, a lot of creative thinking of like, okay, what do I even want it to do? How what do I need in order for it to be when people sign up that they're not going to be like, Well, what is this, you know, that it's going to be successful, and I do tend to have higher standards for myself. So I try and I have to sometimes turn those down and understand when you know, not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. But so that was the main challenge was getting the website actually functional, making sure that the technology work that when people went to sign up, they could actually sign up that my email sent out at the right time. So just kind of all of that stuff, my social media in place my how this is how to use the platform in place, do people know how to find it? That's been the biggest challenge leading up into it. And then I wouldn't say this is necessarily a challenge is the right word, but then it's kind of okay, now you have members. Now, what do I do to engage them? Right kind of delivery come up with a new thing of like, what? Now? What's next? What do people want? And the hardest part is really building routines around, right? If we're talking from ot speak, I'm trying to help people build routines and habits around coming to my platform. So how do I help support them in developing those routines and habits? And also, how do I keep them engaged, so that they think this is worth it? You know, this is worth my investment in myself in this person? So how do I kind of balance those things without also giving too much of myself and not being able either burning out or not being able to kind of keep up with what I started out with?

Melissa LaPointe  17:47  
Were there any major shifts in terms of how you were launching the membership compared to the course? So you had gone through? How many? How many times did you launch the course.

Clarice Grote  18:02  
Um, I launched the beta once, and then I launched it a second time. And that's it. I did kind of like a mini launch for like Black Friday, but that barely counts.

Melissa LaPointe  18:11  
So you were still also in the process of learning the launch mechanism for your course, it wasn't a rinse and repeat well developed system at that point.

Clarice Grote  18:20  
Okay, so there was a lot of learning regardless. Yes, absolutely.

Melissa LaPointe  18:25  
Got it. Got it. Let's speak for a moment about the work that you and I have been doing together. Because again, I think this highlights the work that's to be done, like many of us, so I'm gonna back up, you started this website, you started this journey, as a social entrepreneur, right? Not even acknowledging the entrepreneurial piece yet. And I know that there are many listeners, myself included, that resonates with that path where we have an idea, we see how we can be creative in instigating change. And we have to think outside the box in terms of getting there, which ultimately is the definition of an entrepreneur, but many of us were so disconnected from the entrepreneurial space at that point, that that isn't what's pulling us forward. It's very much this heart centered idea, this vision for the future. So you started there and then recognized, oh, this is a business and then you you built your business, but especially for those of us who have these heart led businesses. We can sometimes get caught up in. It's like my baby. I've heard people say that I used to say that. And it's not it's a machine. It is a machine. It is a machine with, you know, we have input, we have output. We have fuel, which is the cashflow. We have numbers, we have systems. And when you and I first started working together you didn't Come to me because I'm an expert in Medicare and Medicaid and policy in the US. That is not what I bring to the table. But you were recognizing that you wanted to be more strategic with your numbers and your business infrastructure. So can you speak about what that has been like to see your business from a different perspective in how you're building out your you're looking to maximize the output without? We only we have so much input that we can, that we have to work with? So yeah, can you speak a little bit about that journey of that different perspective you have and seeing your business? Yeah, I

Clarice Grote  20:41  
definitely. So the first real investment, I'd say that I made in my business, besides getting it started was I did enroll in Marie Forleo as B School. And that's where I've really for the first time started thinking about, Okay, where am I actually making money like, before that, I knew I was having some money coming in, but I've never actually looked at the numbers to see where am I actually making the most money, and really didn't really sit down and think, What do I like doing? Like, what is it that I really enjoy, and that's what kind of led me thinking like, I really enjoy teaching, I honestly love talking with others and interacting with them, and teaching and presenting, and I'm a rare bird that loves, you know, giving speeches. So, um, you know, I like the sound of my own voice. But so that was where I kind of really started thinking about those sorts of things and starting to get a little more organized of okay, you know, it's not just about producing content, then or selling guides, I really want to be able to have that interaction. And but I think like most people who start out, you're kind of chasing everything, you're saying yes, to every product, or project, you're kind of saying yes to all these different ideas, you have a hodgepodge of things, like I said, I was going to start, like monthly webinars that lasted two months, you know, so you're just kind of trying to see what works and what happens. And then when I made my course, that was the first time I actually started putting some strategy into something, I had a capstone student at the time. So she was really helpful in kind of forcing me essentially to decide on a project and stick with it through the all the way through, got some good feedback, and then made it better and launched it again in October. And that was the mastering ot policy and Medicare course. And then kind of seeing, Oh, this is actually a product that people want, that people need. If they didn't, then I wouldn't have had a successful launch, right, and then thinking about the schools, and I thought, okay, if I'm going to really make this work for the long run, I've really got to start thinking hard about the numbers and what I can invest, because up until that point, I kind of been like, Okay, I have $2,000 in the bank, which means I can afford about $2,000 of investments, and then I'd kind of wait. And I'd be like, Okay, now I have $500, which means I can do this now. And so I wanted that more long term strategy, not only for my own sense of comfort, so I don't feel like I'm constantly being like, Yes, I'll take that project, because I need cash flow, but also to support my family long term like I, you know, I'm married, and my husband has been very gracious and understanding that a business is an investment, and that it takes time to build. But then also, there needs to be strategy behind that. If I actually want to be able to grow and scale this business, and really make as much difference as I want to be able to make. And so that's kind of part of the equation, right? As much as I'd love to reach every single practitioner, I can't do that without also having the funds to allow me to do those things. So it's kind of a two fold.

Melissa LaPointe  23:41  
And that's something that so many of us go through in the startup years, and I say the startup years, some entrepreneurs, this can continue for many, many years where they base their decisions off of what they see in their bank accounts. And that is not accurate information. Right? basing that off of yeah, just just looking at what's in your bank account. And there's more to it, there's more to understanding the numbers. And there's more to long term planning. And there's more to understanding the operational side of your business and of a product launch and getting into deliverability. There are different moving parts, and you don't know what you don't know. And even just to have someone to, you know, have a structured time because before we hit record, we were talking about different ways we both build in that structured time into our entrepreneurial lives where you have accountability. Do you have a plan, you have a designated time to bounce ideas back and forth and to not just be in your own head ruminating about things and that's really important. And,

Clarice Grote  25:01  
yeah, and I tend to, I tend to second guess my decisions a lot, which is where, you know, I've gotten multiple examples of this, like with my logo, right, I redesigned my logo and played with my colors like 1000 times, like probably once a month. And finally, I just paid someone to do it. And I haven't messed with it sense. You know, or like, same thing with like my landing pages, I messed with it all the time, constantly kind of critiquing it, changing a sentence. And I realized, I'm like, I'm wasting so much time doing this. And that's where I invested in a copywriter to help me write that, and it was 1000 times better than anything I'd ever written before. And that was another reason of me wanting to come to you, is you reach this point where you know, that you want to grow, and you know that you can, but I didn't always have the funds to invest in the people who need who could help me grow. And I didn't want to hire anyone on and be like, you know, even as a contract and be like, well, I can do like three hours this month, and maybe 15 Next month, you know, I really want to be able to provide some with kind of a consistent income. And that's where I was able to fortunately find an OT student now who's able to help me but a large part of that was developing that structure. And that's really what I wanted in the business coach was not, you know, I've got the content down. I've got mentors in that area. But what I really needed was how can I actually create a year plan, a project plan where I can be like, say no to projects, because I know they don't align with my goals, or say yes to projects, because I know that they do. And that's where working with you has been so incredibly helpful. Because I actually have a plan now, whereas before, like with my capstone student, I literally came up with the idea for my course, like four days before she started, I sent her an email is like, I've completely changed what we're working on, this is what we're doing hope that's okay. You know, and she's like, sure works for me, you know, but that's kind of how I operated. And versus now, it's so much more comforting to my own anxiety and stress to know that I actually have a plan, I actually have a map of how much I want to make and my revenue. And it gives me a lot more sense of control over my business and my life that I really needed in those systems. And they're still in development, but also then will allow me to expand as I start taking on team members to help me do everything.

Melissa LaPointe  27:17  
And there's something to be said about tracking our numbers, but then analyzing our numbers. So I'm coming back to your launch debrief, and how powerful that was, because it was, oh, I have numbers now what do I do with them? And even having a recipient, you know, having someone because again, I'm guilty of doing that myself? Oh, I knew I know, I should. I know, I should look at those numbers, but no one else sees them. So it's just, it's so much easier to let that slide. But yet, there's so much value. And sometimes the lessons we get from those numbers aren't easy lessons to receive. So again, when there's no one keeping us accountable, checking in, Hey, did you get that debrief done? Hey, did you go through those numbers, let's talk, it's easy to keep pushing it off. Because sometimes we don't want to lean in and do the hard work. It can be very ego bruising.

Clarice Grote  28:17  
Yes, and you know, it's funny that you say that about like, with the launch numbers, I did technically do a launch debrief after my visit my October launch for my course, I wrote down all the numbers, and then I looked at them and go, cool. I don't know what this means. I don't know what to do with this. And it was funny, after doing my second launch in January with you, I did the same thing. I wrote down the number, she gave me a better framework of what numbers to pull out. And I remember telling my husband was like, I don't really know what to do next. I feel like I've got these numbers here. And then I meet with you. And you're like, what looks like people came from your email list. So you should probably get people on your email list. Like, that makes a lot of sense. And you would think that looking at that and be like, Oh, yes, majority of my sales came from my emails that that would be obvious, to take the next step. But then I remember sitting here thinking, like, I don't know what to do with any of this information.

Melissa LaPointe  29:07  
Well, and it's, again, when your nose is to the pavement, when you're in it, it's really hard to see that but when you know and that's one of the benefits to working with a business coach or with a consultant or with someone who has that 30,000 foot view alongside you of your business, who isn't as attached to the numbers who isn't as attached to the intricacies of what's happening or how much money is going into your bank account. Right? Of course that matters to me and I am cheering you on and supporting you and celebrating that with you. But at the end of the day, I'm much more objective about that situation. And that's something that again, I've benefited immensely from that as well where I don't see it in my own business because I'm you know, face up against it and needing someone to okay, we don't have to be having that 30,000 foot view all the time but today A for an hour, you know, pull me by the scruff of my neck and Okay, let's do the 30,000 foot view for a minute so you can see how I see it.

Clarice Grote  30:07  
Yeah, and everything you produce is personal, right? Because I put all my hours in there. And I think especially as you get started every email that you see every post that you see every, you know, video, I put all my work like that is me that I put into there. And so it's hard to view it from the outside. And that's where it's helpful. Because sometimes it is hard when you get that feedback of like, I didn't like this, you know, like, Okay, well, how much do I take that into consideration? If it's one out of 30? You know, how much should I weigh that one person's feedback. And so it's helpful, yeah, to have that outside perspective to kind of, you know, tell you what you need to know. And then also kind of talk you off the edge.

Melissa LaPointe  30:46  
100%. And I always appreciate when your husband has comments or thoughts or acknowledgments know, when you send me messages, my husband appreciates that you said this.

Clarice Grote  30:59  
It's always about reminding me to take a break.

Melissa LaPointe  31:03  
Well, and that's an important piece that a lot of us who are high achievers and high performers and really attach to our work. That's part of the accountability is okay. Now, when we do our 90 day plan, we start with what time are we taking away from our business? That's the starting point. And I was very uncomfortable in the beginning when I was first taught that way to plan like, well, do I deserve time off yet? My goals? Uh, you know, but it's, it's, again, similar to the Profit First mentality where you set aside the Profit First from your business, when we're doing this 90 day plan. When are we taking time off? And when we are going through program launches? When are we then taking the time to celebrate? How are we celebrating? Because that's also something that a lot of us can push to the side. Oh, right. I meant to celebrate that. But I'll do it next month when I also am celebrating this and I'll kill two birds with one stone.

Clarice Grote  32:04  
Get one celebration for the price.

Clarice Grote  32:07  
Exactly.

Melissa LaPointe  32:09  
So Clarice, where can people find you? And for everyone who's interested in your membership? Where can they access that? What can we what can we include in the show notes, but also for those listening? who maybe don't have the pen nearby? Now? Where are you hanging out on social? What can we do with that?

Clarice Grote 32:30  
Yeah, so my website is amplify iot.com That's got links to just about everything that I've got going on, including my membership, and my podcast. So I do have my own podcast, which is the amplify ot podcast, which is available on every podcast platform. Social media wise, I'm most places, but the best place to find me really is Instagram. That's where I post my stories. It's where I post most of my updates. So Instagram and Facebook are probably where I'm most commonly asked but Instagrams really my favorite platform. So to connect with me, send me questions, chat with me Instagrams the place to be

Melissa LaPointe  33:05  
awesome. All right. So if you are listening to this, and driving or walking, I mean, amplify IoT is pretty easy to remember. But you can also check out the show notes, we'll make sure we link up all the great stuff, including so I'm really excited about the playlists that you've been creating. So we'll make sure we link that up so that you have a lot of content, you have a lot of great content. And I love that you're now not only doing your part to serve people who are investing in your program and your services. But again, I love when people have reached this level of business, where you are putting so much effort into serving the people who are still in your free community, and how you can improve their experience and continue to support them whether they're investing or not. And that's ultimately why we are all working to become more profitable, so that our businesses survive, and they continue to move towards thriving. And that way we're, you know, serving from an overfilling cup. And we can do our part whether someone is investing or not, even if they just want to be there and hang out and be part of the community experience. They're getting that. So the playlist that you've been curating that's a little bit more specific to their needs. It's a wonderful engagement tool. It's a wonderful lead magnet. It's a wonderful opt in, so I'd love to send them that way as well.

Clarice Grote 34:31  
Yeah, I'll definitely send you that link. It's a podcast and resource playlist. So it's got links to pretty much every podcast has its own blog. They do have slightly different content. So if you'd like one, I always recommend looking at the other. Because obviously I can't always write the way that I talk because it just be one long on run on sentence. But yeah, like you said, you know, it's about serving both communities because really, the reason I started amplify IoT is because I was frustrated that when I would try and find information None reimbursement that I would have to Google it along with PT, or that I'd find a couple of resources, but really didn't talk to occupational therapy. And we are not the same as every other profession. And I wanted there to be a voice for us and have a seat at the table. So it's really important to me to continue to make sure that there are resources that are available to everyone, in addition to the resources that I'm able to keep for my community that go a little bit deeper, because at the end of the day, you know, as much as I'd love to do all of this for free, I have to have something coming in. Because if I didn't do this, I'd go back to being a clinician, which is great, but would also take a lot of my time. And so it's about meeting both needs. But really, the whole point is to help people realize how wonderful they are all the skills that they have, and make sure that they recognize that occupational therapy has a lot of value, and that we deserve to have a seat at that decision making table.

Melissa LaPointe  35:50  
Great stuff. Thank you so much for joining me today and for chatting. I always love connecting with you. And well, I've connected with you several times today. But it's all good. There's anyone I'm going to connect with multiple times. You're one of them.

Clarice Grote  36:06  
Thank you and I so glad to be on here and looking forward to hearing everything else that you have to have to show us.

Melissa LaPointe  36:13  
Awesome. All right, take care, and we will chat with you soon. Okay, that is it for today's conversation. I hope our interview gave you something to think about in terms of your rogue journey, and the importance of both understanding business fundamentals and developing a stronger infrastructure for the work that you're doing. If you have any feedback or aha moments that you want to share with me or with Clarice, take a quick screenshot and tag us on Instagram. You can find me at otsgonerogue, or you can find Clarice at amplify_ot and let us know your thoughts. For the latest show notes and full episodes. Make sure you head over to otsgonerogue.com/podcast. If you don't want to miss any future episodes, make sure you're subscribed to the OTs Gone Rogue Podcast on Apple, Spotify or Stitcher or wherever else you listen to podcasts. And while you're there, we always appreciate those reviews, it makes the world of difference in helping to get our show in front of more therapists who would benefit from our content. Thanks so much for listening to this week's episode of the OTs Gone Rogue Podcast. Take care everyone and I'll see you next week.