We recently connected with Rebecca Mokuolu and have shared our conversation below.

Rebecca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

At OT by the Sea, we are set apart by serving our clients in their natural environments (beach, park, home, community).

So often I find, if you’re not careful, you can really get stuck in your way as a therapist and view OT through a narrow lense. This happens by way of apathy and stress, not staying current with research, limitations with insurance companies and within certain practice settings, and a lack of out-of-the-box thinking. In this field it can also, at times, be challenging for clients to generalize the skills they learned at a clinic or hospital back to their everyday routine.

I have found for myself the power of healing in nature and a familiar or comfortable space, and therefore wanted to implement this into all that we do at OT by the Sea. I realized after working in the hospital for so long that there are SO many ways to utilize OT outside of the traditional model. Through our holistic model, we get to be conduits of our client’s independence AND confidence in the most natural setting that works for them and their families.

Here at OT by the Sea, we also see the value of group OT. I have witnessed the power of nature therapy at our Summer Camp where kids are able to learn from each other, be encouraged by each other to build their skills, and try things they may not have otherwise. I have witnessed the power of group OT in our skills courses for individuals with disabilities in a way that allows their socialization to push them further. In addition, our Baby & Me cohort provides a space for new moms to have a space of their own, learn mindfulness techniques as they enter into a new chapter, and how to care for their baby’s development.

I once had a client who’s parents wanted me to teach her to ride a bike. It seemed simple, but the therapeutic skills they gained during that time were irreplaceable even though it was “outside of the traditional pediatric OT setting” (from balance, coordination, dual tasking, attention, safety, strength etc;). Ultimately, at OT by the Sea, we work hard to help our clients hurdle over any obstacles that may be in front of them so that they can participate in each day with purpose and joy. We want to be a platform that serves the entire family and can provide specialized services to all age groups and populations in the best natural environment that works for them on an individual basis.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have always loved helping people. When I received my Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy, I discovered my passion for working with babies, but beyond that, I discovered a deep stirring within me- a calling to build and lead wherever I ended up down the road. After school, I gained experience in Atlanta, GA at a Level I Trauma Hospital in Orthopedics, Trauma, Geriatrics, ICU, Neurology, Oncology, Intermediate Care and General Medicine. Additionally, I was working in Early Intervention (children 0-3) in the home, while balancing those jobs and merging work and my faith through an organization called Young Life. There I served on part time staff as the Director of Capernaum Ministries, a faith based program for high schoolers with disabilities. The cumulation of my experience and passion led me to begin my own OT company upon relocating to LA. OT by the Sea, my current company, serves the entire family through holistic occupational therapy in natural environments (home, beach park, community). This year has been extremely challenging building a business from scratch in a city where I knew no one, but it has been amazing to see the victories along the way as we continue to grow and build. Moving to this city has spurred on inspiration around so many others who are also trying to build and serve the community together. I’ve met some remarkable people this year and I’ve barely scratched the surface.

At OT by the Sea, we are in the business of empowerment. We serve the whole family across the lifespan- from infants to geriatrics. If you are unfamiliar with occupational therapy, no- it’s not only “like physical therapy” and no- it’s not “helping people find jobs.” It is the manner of discovering what might be hindering someone’s everyday activities (that we often take for granted) and helping them become as independent as possible. OT can be so many things…it’s helping a mother find confidence again postpartum via a wellness plan and education for her infant’s developmental milestones, supporting a child build their confidence in a novel task, facilitating a baby meeting their developmental milestones, teaching a child how to ride a bike, preparing a young adult for an interview, helping someone with recent stroke navigate their home or reintegrate into their career, teaching a young child mindfulness and regulation strategies, helping someone with low vision navigate a grocery store, completing a home safety assessment for an elderly loved one…the list goes on! We work in homes, hospitals, schools, community practices, jails, nursing homes, corporations, really anywhere.

As the leader of OT by the Sea, I am passionate about building a platform of specialized therapists and supporting them as they go out and serve families across the lifespan around LA and beyond while simultaneously supporting our families through individualized services, group therapy, camps, and retreats. I have spent time coaching other therapists on their business journey which has been greatly rewarding and a way to give back to this profession and others who are dedicated to do more and see more for our community.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I used to think that building a network looked like sitting behind a computer screen sending emails and cold-calling people all day. That wasn’t really getting me anywhere. Doctors offices wouldn’t return my calls, schools would not follow up. It wasn’t until a friend suggested one day that I reach out directly to people on social media. In this day and age, it truly is the most used “search engine” and people are quicker to reply on Instagram than they are to a voicemail. Since making this change, not only has my network expanded, but my relationships with so many amazing providers, business owners, and community members have soared. And that, I realized, is what business is about. It’s about cultivating trusted relationships with others so you can support each other and refer to each other. I have also made great connections through my church, Vintage LA, and a group of providers through the Woman Wellbeing Collaborative here in LA.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Starting OT by the Sea was the pivot of my life. I was almost ready to shut the door on my OT career after becoming burned out in my previous hospital setting. I then put into practice what I always said that I had loved about OT- there’s never an excuse to get burned out in this career field because you can always switch it up and enter a new field. I was able to apply the skills that I learned from my previous experience, as well as what I learned from being an employee, to then be a leader to others as a business owner. Is it challenging? Absolutely. Worth it? Absolutely. I’m so grateful that I did not give up on this passion and career because it has led me through so many wonderful jobs, businesses, and to serve so many wonderful people.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.myotbythesea.com
• Instagram: otbythesea_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089039156295