Next Level Virtual Entrepreneur Summit
Summer 2023
"Watching the recordings from the entrepreneur summit that Kara Welke made along with all the other collaborators, and I just wanna say I am energized, enlightened, and so excited to be around like minded people with amazing fresh ideas and new things to learn from. Absolutely worth the money. This is incredible stuff."
~Next Level Therapist 7/2/23
Our Next Level Virtual Entrepreneur Summit was a transformative experience!
This entrepreneurial summit was designed to:
Empower you with the knowledge and strategies to propel your career forward, equipping you with the essential tools needed for success.
Assist you with unlocking your full potential and allowing you to embrace a future filled with professional growth and achievement.
Freedom from Healthcare Incarceration
Dr. Karen C Dwire Licensed, Registered, and Certified Occupational Therapist with extensive and diverse experience across a variety of provider settings to include tele-health and in-person therapies within hospitals, military and veteran health services, sub-acute rehab hospitals, non-profits, home based care, acute and long-term care clinical settings. Strengths include compassionate, patient-centered support across multiple disciplines and treatment modalities to include pre and post op surgery, behavioral health, advocacy and critical health management.
Making Money on YouTube: How to Get Started with Limited Time and Equipment
Kristen Galloway, MOT, OTD, OTR/L, PCES, is a Florida licensed occupational therapist, clinic owner, consultant, mentor, and content creator based in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. With a marketing and public relations background, Kristen brings a wealth of expertise and experience to her diverse roles.
Having opened a brick-and-mortar clinic during the challenging times of the pandemic, Kristen discovered the immense value of diversifying revenue streams through content creation. This revelation inspired her to embark on a mission to assist fellow clinicians and entrepreneurs in harnessing the power of video to share their knowledge and generate additional income. With a profound understanding of the impact and reach of multimedia, Kristen is dedicated to helping others unlock their potential and thrive in their respective fields.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Kristen cherishes her time spent with her family and beloved fur-baby. Her dedication to creating a balanced and fulfilling life echoes her holistic approach to occupational therapy.
Overwhelmed to Efficient: Admin Implementation
Chris Beavers PT, DPT is a seasoned Cash Based Physical Therapy Practice Owner, co-owner of Be Ready Performance Therapy in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its establishment in Fall 2019, he has successfully expanded the practice to include 4 providers across 2 locations. Additionally, Chris is a co-owner of Virtual Refresh, a virtual admin company specializing in cash-based healthcare practices. Founded in 2021 with his wife Tawnna, Virtual Refresh has rapidly grown to serve numerous practices nationwide. Through Virtual Refresh, Chris assists business owners in improving lead conversion, system optimization, and relieving them from mundane tasks that drag down their productivity.
Using Evidence-Based Dementia Care Programs in Small Business
Rachel is an occupational therapist and the founder and owner of Day By Day Dementia Consulting and the Dementia Collaborative LLC. Rachel is certified in Skills2Care® for caregivers of individuals living with dementia, and she is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Rachel is also a certified master trainer of Skills2Care® through Jefferson Elder Care and trains occupational therapists from around the world in the Skills2Care® program. She is also currently a volunteer advisory council member for Dementia Society of America.
Previously, Rachel was an adjunct faculty member in the occupational therapy departments at Thomas Jefferson University and Temple University. She also worked as the occupational therapist and Dementia Service Coordinator for the Pew Charitable Trust Grant with Jefferson Elder Care.
Rachel attended Penn State University for her Bachelor's in Rehabilitation and Human Services and minor in Psychology and attended Thomas Jefferson University for her Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy.
She previously served as the Gerontology Chair for the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association's (POTA) District V Board. She also owned and operated a patient care practice, Day By Day Home Therapy, for 6 years, serving clients living with dementia and their care partners in the Delaware Valley.
Managing Shiny Object Syndrome while planning for business growth
Sue Doyle has been an OT for over 40 years and worked in many different settings. She has her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. Her published research is in therapists' professional decision making and stroke sensory impairments with multiple peer reviewed articles in the leading OT journals. After 11 years in academia, she established a private practice for the second time in her career with a focus on home safety and modifications and mobile Medicare part B. She has also been involved in establishing a free clinic for people who are uninsured or underinsured.
Business 101: Everyone can start a business ... Yes, even OTAs and PTAS
Kara Welke, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, PWP, Skills2Care, CAPS, is a highly experienced occupational therapist with 23 years of expertise in the field. As the founder and owner of two successful businesses, she has made significant contributions to the healthcare industry, particularly in the area of mobile hybrid therapy practices and supporting occupational therapy entrepreneurs.
Five years ago, Kara established her own mobile hybrid therapy practice, which has since grown exponentially. From its humble beginnings with a single practitioner, the practice now boasts a team of over 15 skilled staff members. They provide comprehensive services both in the comfort of patients' homes and within a clinical setting. Over time, Kara's practice has expanded its scope to cater not only to geriatric patients but also to women's health needs and a wide range of other services delivered both at home and in the clinic.
Beyond her successful practice, Kara's influence extends nationwide. Through Next Level Occupational Therapy, she offers guidance and support to therapists across the United States who aspire to start and develop their own mobile hybrid therapy practices. Collaborating with numerous outstanding healthcare professionals, Kara utilizes the Next Level platform to empower a diverse range of individuals within the healthcare community, helping them elevate their lives and careers to new heights.
Kara Welke's dedication, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit have not only shaped her own thriving therapy practice but have also positively impacted the occupational therapy profession as a whole. With her continued commitment to excellence and innovation, she remains a driving force in the advancement of mobile hybrid therapy practices and the growth of healthcare entrepreneurs nationwide.
How to Find Your Ideal Clients
Alicia Kollmar MS, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000. Throughout her career she has worked in a variety of areas including schools, skilled nursing, home health and acute care, but has spent most of her time in pediatrics. She started working for herself in 2010 by contracting to county and charter schools. She now contracts to several schools and runs a successful private practice that started as cash-based, but is now hybrid, with a mix of private pay clients and insurance-based clients. She offers individual therapy in the office, at homes, and in the community. She also offers group therapy for handwriting, social skills, anxiety, and self-regulation.
Top 7 KPIs to Track the Health of Your Practice
Steve Glukh is an Occupational Therapist and an accomplished entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in building businesses. Steve is currently the CEO of HelloNote, an EMR focusing on Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy. Early in his career, Steve knew he has more to give to others, and focused his time on helping therapists build their businesses. Through comprehensive experience of being a therapist and building HelloNote, Steve expanded his knowledge on healthcare documentation and billing. Steve earned his BS in Computer Science, and a BS/MS in Occupational Therapy from Long Island University. Prior to launching HelloNote, Steve simultaneously held full-time and part-time jobs as an Occupational Therapist in a variety of settings, including adult/geriatric outpatient clinics, SNFs, hospitals, and pediatrics. Each setting and population were key elements for Steve to help bring HelloNote to life.
Stuck to Success as an Entrepreneur
Jill Garaffa, MS, OTR/L, CPC is an NJ licensed occupational therapist & professional certified life coach that has been in practice for over 27 years. Through combining the science of occupational therapy with the art of life coaching, Jill is able to produce breakthrough results for her clients in areas of life that matter to them. Jill’s primary focus with clients is on creating a powerful mindset which enhances the quality of life in the areas of career, relationships, and health.
As an Occupational Therapist & Life Coach, Jill specializes in the “Invisible Activities of Daily Living” such as managing the thoughts, beliefs, language, values, and motivation that can either increase or decrease our quality of life.
Jill’s style of coaching is gentle, insightful and encouraging. Her support & guidance inspire natural action that promotes sustainable change.
Jill has coached clients from all over the world, in five different time zones, from the United States to the United Kingdom. Her clients have included high-level corporate executives, physicians, therapists, nurses & other health care professionals, entrepreneurs & business owners, stay at home moms, 20-something millennials, retirees and college students. In addition to working with both personal and corporate clients, Jill is a published author & keynote speaker and conducts on-site trainings and community wellness programs to support clients with managing stress & emotions, improving teamwork and elevating communication.
My Favorite AI & Automation Tools
Reed Floren is an digital marketing expert with a passion for helping people achieve online success. He's been involved in the industry since 1999, building an impressive reputation for his expertise in traffic generation, list building, and affiliate marketing. Reed is not just an online marketing wizard, he's also an AI and automation guru, using these cutting-edge technologies to help businesses streamline their operations and improve efficiency. His knack for simplifying complex concepts and strategies into easy-to-understand advice has made him a sought-after coach and consultant, and his training have inspired thousands of entrepreneurs to start and grow their own online businesses.
Money Meltdown Made Easy: The 5 Simple Steps to Running Your Business Finances Forever
Dr. Alex Engar is a husband and father to three beautiful daughters who helps entrepreneurs create consistent financial abundance in their business and personal life.
He's a physical therapist who's never treated a patient, opting instead to treat the financial ailments of business owners as their “Profit Doc.” Now he consults CEO’s of fast-growing businesses on how to KEEP more of what they make while their business scales.
Creating Passive Income Through Blogging
Katie Dodd, MS, RDN, CSG, LD, FAND Katie is a geriatric dietitian, writer, speaker, consultant, mentor, and leader. She is a blogger with The Geriatric Dietitian and High Calorie Recipes blogs and is the host of the Dietitian Side Hustle podcast. She lives in Medford, OR and is mom to Gavin and Emily.
Hot Topics Compliance Update
Nancy Beckley is President of Nancy Beckley & Associates LLC, a boutique consulting firm specializing in outpatient therapy compliance. Nancy is certified in health care compliance by the HCCA Compliance Certification Board and was among the first in the therapy industry to do so over 16 years ago. She has long served on the editorial board, as columnist, and author for Compliance Today. She is a long-time compliance columnist for the APTA Private Practice Section’s IMPACT magazine. She is a nationally known speaker and author in matters of rehab compliance, and has presented at the Provider Practice Compliance Conference, the Florida, Midwest, and the Washington DC Conferences, and the HCCA Annual Compliance Institute. She is a columnist for Compliance Today and the APTA Private Practice Section’s IMPACT magazine. Nancy holds legal copyrights for several of her publications including the Compliance Program Guide, the Red Envelope Policy, and the Rehab Agency Policy & Procedure Manual. For over 20 years Nancy provided client training required under a compliance program on Fraud & Abuse and Therapy Risks wherein training was customized to the unique risks of outpatient therapy. Nancy is known for her expertise in compliance due diligence for physical therapy mergers & acquisitions working with private equity and various funders on over 150 M & A projects. Clients include providers under Medicare probe review, progressive corrective action plans, corporate integrity agreements, ZPIC investigations and RAC audits. The firm’s signature product is the compliance learning management system (LMS) for rehab specific courses in fraud, waste and abuse and therapy risk. Nancy is a top knowledge expert in rehab agency and CORF regulations and has worked with over 125+ provider groups in their quest for survey, certification, accreditation, policies and procedures, plan of correction and certification appeals. Nancy served on the CMS Technical Expert Panel for Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORF) advising CMS on the opportunities and potential for CORFs from a policy and regulatory perspective. Currently retired, but always tempted, Nancy Beckley & Associates offers compliance outsourcing, risk assessment, compliance plan development, annual compliance training, external auditing, due diligence, and investigation support. Nancy has a BS from the University of Wisconsin, an MS from the University of Illinois, and an MBA from the University of South Florida. She has completed the Harvard University Course for Managed Care Executives.
Adding Speech Language Pathology Services to your Existing Practice: Reimbursement and Scheduling
Lauren Meffen is a speech language pathologist with a passion for working with voice and swallow disorders. She has remained local to Gainesville after receiving her schooling with Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Florida. Lauren has worked in a variety of settings including hospital, skilled nursing, home health and has now found her heart belongs in the outpatient setting. Here she can provide a high level of individualized and quality care for each patient and family. Over the years, she has developed a love and specialization in working with the oncology population. She has advanced training in management of lymphedema of the head and neck, trismus therapy, muscle tension dysphonia, and myofascial release techniques. She strongly champions a comprehensive approach toward treating the whole patient, with the involvement of a skilled, multi-disciplinary team.
How Your Systems Can Revolutionize the Customer Journey within Your Therapy Business
Anthony Miano, Systems & Strategy Expert has worked side by side with Dr. Chad and his therapy practice for the past 5 years. His insights into the patient lifecycle have enabled him to develop automated systems and processes to provide leads with personalized and interactive content encouraging them to take the next steps working with the practice.
Marketing for the Introvert
Doug Vestal, Ph.D., is a former finance risk manager turned entrepreneur.
He is the owner of Freedom of Practice where he helps OTs break the shackles of the insurance world by starting their own private pay practice.
He is helping OTs reclaim their time freedom, money freedom and treatment freedom by becoming the courageous therapist who creates jobs, not just has a job.
The best job he's ever had is being a Dad to 2 wonderful kids. He and his wife run their businesses around prioritizing family time, not the other way around.
What systems do I need to have a successful business?
Dr Chad Kuntz is a PT who runs a unique cash PT practice in Charlotte, NC, who has always had a passion for optimizing his day to day systems. With experience running FB ads, automations, and having tried hundreds of different softwares, Dr Chad is now helping health professionals rethink how their day to day systems function and what they can do to optimize them.
How to Improve your Influence, Impact, and Income as an Entrepreneur
Dr. Michael Chua is a physical therapist practicing in Home Health, Skilled Nursing Facilities and Acute Care Hospital. His clinical interest involves pain management, geriatrics and dementia management. He enjoys treating patients and bringing out the best in them using positive treatment approaches, his dynamic work setting in a rural area provides an opportunity to treat a wide range from geriatrics to orthopedics. He is also the Chief Inspirational Officer for TN Therapy Outsource, LLC,
Multiple Ways to Generate Revenue Outside of Patient Care
Tony and his wife Kathy started Total Therapy Solutions in 2002. Tony later became a physical therapist and together they grew their business to 5 locations across two states. Now, Tony and Kathy reside in Liberty Township, OH with their four boys. Tony continues to work part time in the clinic and full time on social media helping therapists turned business owners develop the skills they need to find success.
Creating a GROWTH PLAN for your business.
Kara Welke, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, PWP, Skills2Care, CAPS, is a highly experienced occupational therapist with 23 years of expertise in the field. As the founder and owner of two successful businesses, she has made significant contributions to the healthcare industry, particularly in the area of mobile hybrid therapy practices and supporting occupational therapy entrepreneurs.
Five years ago, Kara established her own mobile hybrid therapy practice, which has since grown exponentially. From its humble beginnings with a single practitioner, the practice now boasts a team of over 15 skilled staff members. They provide comprehensive services both in the comfort of patients' homes and within a clinical setting. Over time, Kara's practice has expanded its scope to cater not only to geriatric patients but also to women's health needs and a wide range of other services delivered both at home and in the clinic.
Beyond her successful practice, Kara's influence extends nationwide. Through Next Level Occupational Therapy, she offers guidance and support to therapists across the United States who aspire to start and develop their own mobile hybrid therapy practices. Collaborating with numerous outstanding healthcare professionals, Kara utilizes the Next Level platform to empower a diverse range of individuals within the healthcare community, helping them elevate their lives and careers to new heights.
Kara Welke's dedication, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit have not only shaped her own thriving therapy practice but have also positively impacted the occupational therapy profession as a whole. With her continued commitment to excellence and innovation, she remains a driving force in the advancement of mobile hybrid therapy practices and the growth of healthcare entrepreneurs nationwide.
Retirement Plan Considerations for the Entrepreneur
Will Butler, DPT/Financial Advisor
Strategies & Resources to keep you focused and motivated
Susan Touchinsky, OTR/L, SCDCM, CDRS is an occupational therapist and certified driver rehabilitation specialist who has achieved her Specialty Certification in Driving and Community Mobility from the American Occupational Therapy Association. Susie offers extensive clinical and professional knowledge with over 20 years of experience as an OT & driver rehabilitation specialist. While she started her career at Johns Hopkins Hospital, she now owns and operates her own private driver rehabilitation practice, Adaptive Mobility Services, LLC. In her practice, she evaluates and treats drivers with medical conditions impacting cognitive, motor, and visual skills. She works closely with her drivers and their families to help determine the highest and safest level of engagement in mobility. Susie also teaches other occupational therapists how to become driver rehab specialists. She is an active volunteer with CarFit, a published author, adjunct professor, lecturer, & mentor.
Crafting Marketing That Drives Sales (It's Not About Your Offer)
Krista Frahm is an occupational therapist turned copywriter - providing copywriting and marketing services to health and wellness professionals. She specializes in direct response copywriting such as sales pages, email marketing, ads and funnels. Krista's mission is to create sales copy that ensures clinicians attract best-fit clients, build rapport, and make more sales. She wants to see more clinicians become leaders in the online space - which means creating marketing that's as brilliant and impactful as the clinicians themselves.
Top 5 things to consider when setting up a home modifications business
Sue Doyle has been an OT for over 40 years and worked in many different settings. She has her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. Her published research is in therapists' professional decision making and stroke sensory impairments with multiple peer reviewed articles in the leading OT journals. After 11 years in academia, she established a private practice for the second time in her career with a focus on home safety and modifications and mobile Medicare part B. She has also been involved in establishing a free clinic for people who are uninsured or underinsured.
Niche Based Practice
Carlene Rimes OTR is a 2016 graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, where she earned her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy and Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration and Management. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor while in graduate school, Carlene directed her focus and studies towards a focus on neurodegenerative conditions. She is currently working with FGCU on research involving more innovative holistic approaches to therapy. Mrs Rimes has been invited to present her research at the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy as well as the Florida Occupational Therapy Association and serves as a professional panelist for the Parkinson's Association of SWFL. 2023 will mark the third year of neurological rehabilitation research in the SWFL area. Carlene established Mobile Rehab LLC in 2020 to allow for a better level of treatment for the neurodegenerative population and currently serves as the CEO.
Entrepreneur Panel & Q & A
A panel of therapists who have started and built their own therapy businesses.
"The sessions I saw live were fabulous .. jam packed with useful information! Thanks to everyone! I'm eager to watch the sessions I miss, and re-watch those I already saw."
~Virtual Summit Attendee
"This has been Great and Helpful! Thanks Kara for all the effort you put in this, and for all of the contributors providing their knowledge/insight! Thank You!"
~Virtual Summit Attendee
"Just want to say the speakers have been phenomenal and I wish I wasn't driving around so I could take notes! Looking forward to all the replays."
~Virtual Summit Attendee
"Incredible, inspiring, and exactly what I needed."
~ Virtual Summit Attendee
"I have been watching some of the replays ... They all have been great ...looking forward to the rest!!
~Virtual Summit Attendee
"It was amazing. I don't have a business ... but....dreams..."
~Virtual Summit Attendee