"I started my business with little to no knowledge of what it took to be an entrepreneur" with Brittany Ferri

Brittany Ferri, OTR/L, CPRP is the founder of Simplicity of Health. She wears many hats, but mostly assumes the roles of an occupational therapist, health writer, clinical consultant, textbook author, and wellness educator. She has been quoted as a health expert in numerous publications, including NBC News, Parade Magazine, Care.com, and MyFitnessPal.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I have a background as an occupational therapist who has worked in a range of settings such as pediatrics, mental health, and cognitive rehab. I have a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and I am also a candidate for a Ph.D. in Integrative Mental Health. Over the course of my career, I have written several therapy textbooks, a children's book, and many health publications, which has led me to develop an expertise in several unique areas.

What inspired you to start your business?

I initially began writing as a way to relieve stress, which quickly turned into a side hustle followed by it being the main service my business offered. The demand that I saw for health writing is what led me to start my business since I knew it was so needed within the healthcare industry.

Where is your business based?

I am based in Rochester, NY, but my business is virtual and I work with clients from across the nation.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

After doing some research and deciding that starting a business was the best route for my career, I formed an LLC. Shortly after, this became a PLLC so that I would be protected when treating clients on an individual basis for OT services.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

I have found that getting my name out there and visible is one of the best ways to spread the word. Sometimes this means making frequent social media posts, but most often my writing does the work for me. I have had numerous people inquire about my services after reading an article of mine. This continually shows me the reach that some of this content has.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

As a therapist who was used to constantly interacting with patients all day, each day, I found the transition to work-from-home was a bit difficult. I made the leap 2 years ago and I absolutely love it now, but it was hard getting used to a new structure. I'm incredibly self-directed so getting work done was never a problem, but I missed basic interactions. This has led me to incorporate some outdoor activities into each day. Sometimes it's an early morning trip to the store, sometimes I head to a nature trail around lunchtime, and other times it may just be grabbing some tea from the local coffee shop.

How do you stay focused?

I love Spotify's pre-made playlists. When I’m working on an especially difficult or detailed project, I turn on the Brain Food playlist, which is just upbeat instrumentals that keep me focused and grooving at the same time. For all other occasions, I go with the Butter playlist since I love all things soul, hip-hop, and jazz.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I really like to drive home the fact that I am a therapist who is also a writer. Many people may contact me for my health writing services, but they are getting the added benefit of my therapy background. This undoubtedly sets me apart from most other health writers, some of who may have little to no experience in a health field with foundations in evidence-based, peer-reviewed practices. There is a big difference between someone in the wellness industry who may blog on health products or routines without solid facts and a health writer who cites reliable sources while breaking down complex concepts into clear, actionable text for readers to learn from.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Don’t underestimate the power of going “door-to-door” (with some strategy). After doing just that with local therapy clinics, urgent care centers, and even small hospitals, I not only gained some new clients, but I made valuable connections within the community. This helped me realize that a little bit of planning coupled with taking a chance can really pay off.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Don’t limit yourself. I got where I am today because I recognized my passion for something outside of standard clinical work, and I took a chance on making it happen. I started my business with little to no knowledge of what it took to be an entrepreneur. In all honesty, I didn’t even realize that the ventures I was embarking on would lead to entrepreneurship and all of the opportunities I have gotten since that time. However, I do know that none of it would have been possible if I kept my head down and continued with the idea that therapists can only assume a certain few roles.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Reddit. I love browsing informative subreddits like r/personalfinance or r/simpleliving as well as the relaxing ones like r/oddlysatisfying. My favorite blog is the ACHS Holistic Health and Wellness blog. I love educating myself on complementary health approaches and, to that end, I have taken several courses at ACHS. This led me to their blog, which is chock full of new information on complementary medicine to inform my personal and professional practices. My favorite book is Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by Greg McKeown. I have always lived a rather minimalistic life in terms of material goods, but reading this book helped me realize the need for minimalism in all areas of life.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I love Bluehost for managing my company’s website. I find it’s incredibly user-friendly, intuitive, and lets me incorporate all the content I need to display to my prospective and current clients.

Who is your business role model? Why?

I follow Gary Vaynerchuk on LinkedIn and I really enjoy his outlook on many things business-related. I don’t know too much about his business practices and outcomes but appears to have an essentialist perspective, which is rare in business today.

How do you balance work and life?

There is no easy answer to this. Some weeks will be chock full of projects, deadlines, etc. and there really isn’t much way around it. However, other weeks have more wiggle room, which can be used to get more of a balance with leisure and fun. The good thing about being your own boss is that you are able to set deadlines in most cases, so a little bit of planning can offer you a decent amount of flexibility.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Playing with my dogs is truly one of the most relaxing ways to unwind after a stressful day. I also enjoy experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, which is the gift that keeps on giving -- if the meal turns out good!

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I am hopeful that I will complete my Ph.D. program within the next six months. After that point, I would like to do more marketing to provide individuals with holistic health sessions. I believe this is another major area that my clients can benefit from.

How can our readers connect with you?

My website is www.simplicityofhealth.com and I can also be found on LinkedIn.