16 Best Business Ideas For Occupational Therapists [2024]
Are you an occupational therapist looking to expand your career by starting your own business?
Luckily, there are many profitable business ideas for an occupational therapist to consider.
Whether you want to work one-on-one with clients or focus on providing products and services to the healthcare industry, there are many options available.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most profitable occupational therapy business ideas to help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey.
1. Start a therapy business
Therapists are professionals licensed to help patients cope with mental and emotional challenges. A therapist listens to the client's challenges and works with the client in developing a plan to confront the challenges and achieve an improved life.
If you plan to become a therapist, you should consider what type of therapy you wish to provide. Then, earn the necessary certifications and licenses to practice.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $150,000/month
How long does it take to build: 240 days (?)
Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.
2. Start a therapy room rental business
A therapy room rental business is designed to offer mental health professionals with fully-equipped and private rooms on an hourly or daily basis to conduct their sessions with clients.
This type of business provides a cost-effective solution for practitioners who may not want to commit to a long-term lease of an entire office space.
The demand for mental health services is on the rise, and as more people prioritize their mental well-being, the demand for therapy room rentals is growing.
This makes the therapy room rental business a lucrative business opportunity in the healthcare industry.
By capitalizing on this trend, entrepreneurs can offer a professional and dedicated environment for mental health professionals to conduct their sessions while also meeting the demands of clients seeking mental health services.
How much you can make: $12,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Space To Be You is a mental health and holistic therapy center that has grown at 30% month-on-month and currently generates $8000 in monthly revenue with 25 counselors and massage therapists providing services, and discusses securing funding and the challenges of starting up a therapy business during the pandemic.
3. Start an aromatherapy business
Aromatherapy uses essential oils to promote physical and emotional well-being.
To start a business, purchase oils, create blends, and develop products.
Marketing strategies include creating a website, collaborating with local wellness centers, and participating in trade shows. Customer service is key to building trust and loyalty. With proper planning and marketing, it can be a successful venture.
How much you can make: $75,000/month
How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)
Nature's Gift Aromatherapy is an essential oils business generating over one and a half million dollars a year with a loyal clientele, relying on their passion, knowledge, and quality products while planning to update their platform to reach out to younger and newer audiences.
4. Become a massage therapist
Massage is a growing industry, and as such, many business options exist for those who want to enter this field. The most typical form of massage therapist business is an independent operation. This can be either out of one's home or a massage studio rented on an hourly basis.
Building a successful massage therapy business is not as difficult as you might think. Massage therapists offer much-needed services to communities and clientele. If you are looking for a new career or want to increase your income while delivering an important service, then starting a new massage therapist business can be an excellent choice.
Turn your massage therapy practice into a successful business by applying core business skills that lead to success.
How much you can make: $3,500 — $275,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.
5. Become a physical therapist
Physical therapists are trained professionals who evaluate and treat abnormal physical function relating to injuries, disability, or other health conditions. The professionals can diagnose and treat various injuries and health conditions and improve a person’s range of movement and quality of life, preventing further injury or disabilities.
A licensed physical therapist works in various healthcare settings, including private practice and fitness settings. To become a physical therapist, earn a doctor of physical therapy education and pass the licensure exams. Then, you can register your business and focus on growing the business.
How much you can make: $11,300/month
Professional cuddler, Sam Varnerin, developed her successful one-to-one cuddle service, Snuggle with Sam, as a result of recognising the universal human need for connection and touch, which also led to her opening Sam’s Snuggle School, a course for aspiring professional cuddlers.
6. Start an ergonomic furniture business
An ergonomic furniture business focuses on designing and selling furniture that prioritizes comfort, efficiency, and overall well-being.
This type of furniture is crafted to support the natural posture and movements of individuals, reducing discomfort and preventing musculoskeletal issues.
Starting an ergonomic furniture business is indeed a lucrative opportunity these days, as people are increasingly recognizing the significance of a healthy and comfortable workspace. By investing in furniture that promotes a comfortable and ergonomic environment, individuals are able to enhance their productivity and overall health, making it a profitable business option.
How much you can make: $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Branch Office Furniture offers a new approach to the office furniture industry, selling high-quality furniture directly to businesses with space design, delivery, and installation included at one-third to one-half of the price of comparable quality products, resulting in over $1M in sales since launching in Q1 of 2019.
7. Start an in-home senior care service
In-home senior care services allow senior clients to live their everyday life in the comfort of their own homes.
Experienced caregivers typically customize their services based on their client’s needs - which is why seniors and families prefer this type of service, even if it costs more than a typical nursing home.
There are several different types of home care you can offer, a few being:
- Personal care services: This type of service helps clients with everyday necessities, such as grooming, bathing, dressing, and overall hygiene
- Nurse-directed care: This type of care refers to caretakers managing medication, wounds, and the overall health and well-being of the client
- Meal & Food Prep: This type of care helps prepare nutritious meals and go grocery shopping
- Transportation: Rides to the library, salon, grocery store, doctor’s office, etc.
The price you can charge depends on where you live and your experience, but this ranges anywhere from $18/hour-$40/hour.
The significant part about starting an in-home senior care business is that you do not need formal education or medical training. You can build a successful home senior care business if you have the necessary skills to do this job.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
The CareSide scaled to $5 million in revenue over 3 years by utilizing a data-driven approach to sales and marketing, with a focus on Google Adwords and Facebook ads, and implementing extensive automation into back end systems.
8. Start an exercise app
A fitness app business focuses on selling fitness classes to application users. The ideal market includes fitness coaches, who opt to purchase a ready-made fitness app to engage their target audience and grow their business.
To start an exercise app, you need to learn to code and develop strong analytical skills. Besides, you need well-honed communication skills and learn to deliver projects on time.
With the uptake of online fitness classes increasing, it is such an excellent time for app developers to focus on this growing niche. Typically, online coaches are looking for well-developed applications to help them reach the target audience. Therefore, app developers looking for great business opportunities can choose to focus on the exercise app industry.
How much you can make: $250 — $1,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 142 days (?)
Joel Runyon built an iPhone fitness app called MoveWell that currently brings in about $1,200-$1,800 per month, and is looking to expand the business by adding coaches, more content, and branded partnerships.
9. Start an exercise gear business
The exercise gear industry encompasses the production, distribution, and retail of clothing and equipment intended for physical exercise. This includes workout apparel, footwear, weights, yoga mats, and other similar accessories.
With the increasing global emphasis on health and fitness, the exercise gear business offers a profitable opportunity as more and more people are actively seeking products to support their fitness endeavors.
As individuals place greater importance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the demand for high-quality exercise gear continues to escalate, making this industry a promising investment for those seeking to capitalize on the thriving health and wellness market.
How much you can make: $150,000/month
Gym and Fitness is one of the largest online retailers of home gym equipment in Australia and New Zealand, servicing 450 customers a week and generating $150k/month in revenue, and founder Dave Barnes shares tips for aspiring founders.
10. Launch a wellness tracker
A wellness tracker business provides devices and services to help individuals monitor and improve their health and well-being.
They sell wearable devices and develop accompanying mobile apps that offer personalized health insights and recommendations.
Subscription services provide access to more advanced features and personalized insights, including personalized workout plans and nutrition recommendations.
Wellness tracker businesses are poised to play a vital role in the future of healthcare and wellness.
How much you can make: $25,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Case study reveals how founder turned a struggling habit tracker app into a success with 1M users and $21k/month.
11. Become an intuitive therapist
Intuitive therapists utilize intuition to uncover what their client senses but may not be consciously aware of. As the therapist, you will use intuition to access the unconscious information and bring it into conscious awareness.
To become an intuitive therapist, you should take the training to help you develop holistic mental health so you can uncover, articulate, and release the source of the presenting problem. Upon completing the training, you will undergo the licensure examination.
How much you can make: $3,500/month
RDRx Nutrition is a successful private practice that offers individual nutrition coaching, boasting profits of $1,800-$2,100 per month after just one year of business, and achieving a client base of over 2200 followers on Instagram alone.
12. Become a cuddle therapist
Cuddle therapy is a form of wellness service that involves physical touch and emotional support provided by a professional therapist.
The main objective of cuddle therapy is to offer a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals seeking relaxation and stress relief through comforting touch.
Cuddle therapists work within ethical boundaries to create a warm and nurturing environment that promotes healing and emotional well-being.
The demand for this unique service is on the rise, as more people become aware of the benefits of self-care for reducing anxiety and promoting overall happiness.
The lucrative business opportunity offered by cuddle therapy is a testament to its effectiveness and growing popularity among individuals seeking alternative ways to improve their mental and emotional health.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $3,500/month
Meet the woman who makes $40K a year by cuddling clients in a calming space, which usually lasts for one to four hours and adheres to a strict code of conduct that respects client's personal space and boundaries.
13. Start an adult day care business
Adult daycare service is a planned program of activities in a professional care setting designed for elderly people who require supervised care. Adult daycare services enable seniors to socialize and enjoy planned activities in a group setting while receiving needed treatment.
The services of an adult day care vary based on owners’ preferences.
Whatever the range of services, the intent is primarily to provide the elderly an opportunity to get out of the house and receive mental and social stimulation and other care they need.
14. Start a senior exercise class
If you’re looking to start a business, have you considered offering exercise classes tailored to seniors?
This could be a fantastic opportunity to provide safe and effective fitness routines that cater to the unique health and wellness needs of older adults.
By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, you can also foster a sense of community among the participants, promoting social interaction and improving mental health.
With the aging population increasingly seeking ways to stay active and connected, your senior exercise class could be a valuable service that helps them achieve both, while also providing you with a fulfilling and rewarding career.
15. Start a telehealth business
Navigating the healthcare landscape is a challenge, making telehealth a highly appealing proposition. A telehealth business uses digital information and communication technologies to cover long distances and provide health care. It opens a spectrum of opportunities - connecting patients to healthcare services via video chats, forwarding health data to doctors for examination, and even educating healthcare professionals.
Starting a telehealth business could place you at the forefront of an emerging industry. The global pandemic has proven the need for quality remote healthcare, and this trend is unlikely to reverse. By giving patients greater access to healthcare professionals from the comfort of their homes, you're not just building a business, but building a service that can make a significant difference in people's lives.
Before you get started though, understand that this will involve understanding and navigating healthcare regulations, and possibly teaming up with medical professionals to provide services. However, considering the growth potential of telehealth, the venture may very well be worth it.
How much does it cost to start: $4,997 (?)
How long does it take to build: 91 days (?)
16. Become a crystal healing therapist
Do you believe in the healing power of crystals? Starting a crystal healing clinic could be a profitable business opportunity.
Healing crystals remain popular at health spas and alternative medicine health clinics and have seen an upsurge over the past decade. To become a crystal healing therapist, consider taking an accredited crystal healing course online and start an internship to gain relevant experience.
You can offer therapy sessions from the client's home or open your brick-and-mortar facility to get started.
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
