Sarah Lyon, an Aurora native, started her journey into entrepreneurship unintentionally when she moved back to Aurora from New York City. Feeling disconnected from the occupational therapy community, she decided to start a blog called OT Potential to share her thoughts and insights on the profession. What started as a personal blog eventually grew into a successful online business venture.
Lyon’s blog gained traction over the years, and she began to explore affiliate opportunities, where she would write about specific projects and earn a percentage of the revenue. After realizing she was making more money as a blogger than as an occupational therapist, Lyon decided to pivot into the online realm full-time.
One of the core reasons Lyon started blogging about occupational therapy was her interest in learning about best practices in the field. This led her to review new research articles and share their implications for OT practitioners. This eventually evolved into a paid membership model where members could earn continuing education credits by listening to podcast episodes and taking tests.
What sets OT Potential apart is its community feel, with a focus on interaction and engagement among members. Lyon and her team curate content by reviewing the top 100 journal articles in occupational therapy each year, selecting those with the most concrete implications for practitioners. This content is then turned into podcast episodes featuring guest experts who discuss the research and its practical applications.
Online continuing education is a growing trend in the healthcare industry, with a focus on providing timely and accessible information to practitioners. Lyon believes that the abundance of research in healthcare necessitates new models for delivering information to clinicians, ultimately leading to better patient care.
Lyon’s business, OT Potential, experienced rapid growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, as in-person continuing education opportunities were limited. With her husband Mitchell now on board, handling the technical aspects of the business, Lyon can focus on creating content and engaging with the community.
Living in Aurora has been beneficial for Lyon and her family, providing a supportive community and reliable high-speed internet access essential for running an online business. Despite spending much of her time in front of a computer, Lyon appreciates the sense of community and connection she finds in Aurora.
Overall, Sarah Lyon’s journey from blogging about occupational therapy to running a successful online business showcases the potential for growth and innovation in the healthcare industry. OT Potential continues to evolve, offering valuable resources and education for occupational therapy practitioners across the country.
