Patrice Maynard, OTD, MOT, BSHS, OTR/L: OT in BIPOC Entrepreneur Networking
In this post, we will learn from Patrice Maynard, OTD, MOT, BSHS, OTR/L. She is the founder and owner of Maynard Milestones, LLC, a mobile pediatric private practice. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree, Master's degree in Occupational Therapy, and Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate with a concentration in entrepreneurship from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. During Dr. Patrice’s post-professional OTD program, she created the Occupational Therapy Entrepreneurs of Color (OTEC) community which is an online educational platform for Occupational Therapy Practitioners of color who are entrepreneurs or who desire to be one to provide networking opportunities and a shared aligned space for OTP business owners. She started its private Facebook group, which spawned into hosting and curating her first OTEC online conference in the midst of finishing her first year of her PP-OTD program. It consisted of 35+ panelists who are OTP entrepreneurs of color sharing their experiences of running their own clinical and non-clinical businesses. Her doctoral capstone was a qualitative phenomenological study on female OTPs of color who transitioned from employees to entrepreneurs. Upon graduation, she received the Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Achievement Award from her program.
Q & A with Patrice:
Please tell us a little about yourself and some of your favorite occupations.
A recent post-professional OTD graduate from Jersey City, New Jersey, who has been practicing in the OT field since 2011. I have a background in SNF setting (ST and LTC) and currently work in pediatrics (birth to three) as an independent contractor through my company, Maynard Milestones. I also see school-age children privately for sessions. I am also the creator of the Occupational Therapy Entrepreneurs of Color (OTEC) community and online conference. I enjoy taking my African fusion dance classes, dining at restaurants, traveling (solo when I can), and attending concerts. I am an aunt to my nine-year-old niece.
What motivated you to contribute to this podcast series?
I was honored to be asked by Patricia, plus I have listened to the podcast and enjoy the content. Also, with my background, I have quite a story to share about my uncommon OT practice.
Please describe the UncommonOT work that you do and the setting in which you work, the population you serve and the needs that you address.
I am a mobile pediatric private practice owner (solopreneur) seeing school-aged children for sessions in the home, plus an independent contractor in NJ through early intervention (birth to three). I am also the creator of the Occupational Therapy Entrepreneurs of Color (OTEC) community where I moderate a private Facebook page, moderate an annual online conference, host webinars, and provide digital products.
What inspired you or drew you to this type of OT work?
The pandemic was a wake-up call for me to start this kind of work, especially with creating an online space for OTP entrepreneurs of color. When considering a topic for my pp-OTD capstone, I noticed there was not a community for OTP entrepreneurs of color. I started networking with several OTPs of color who were starting businesses in the midst of the pandemic and decided to create this community to help network and create connections with common interest in business.
How did you get there? Can you describe your path?
Being from Jersey City, NJ, the second most diverse city in the United States, and working in SNFs and with families from diverse backgrounds, it is typical for me to see practitioners from other backgrounds. Also attending a PWI (predominately white institution) I always found ways to feel like I belong by being a member of cultural organizations and joining their e-boards. During the height of the pandemic, I did not have those in-person connections with co-workers, so I decided to utilize social media to connect with other OTPs outside of NJ. I started following Instagram pages and joining Clubhouse app sessions to network. After hearing and noticing other OTPs of color wanted to start their own businesses, I noticed there was not something for us to call as a community, so OTEC started from a lack of community I did not see personally.
Please describe a typical day or OT session at your uncommon setting? What OT skills do you utilize?
Meditate/pray, check email and social media inboxes, see about four to five kids driving to their home or daycare. After returning home, I would set aside time to work on upcoming events, webinars, connecting with other practitioners, check the OTEC Facebook group, write up an IFSP report, scheduling sessions for the following day, looking up treatment ideas, and some research
Can you talk about some recent highs (successes) and lows (challenges) of your current role?
Highs: Recently graduating with my PP-OTD in May 2023, renegotiating my rate as an independent contractor Lows: Locking in on gaining new private pay clients, gaining sponsorship from companies who only want to sponsor large-scale events (over 1,000 attendees)
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role?
Listening to podcasts, reading/listening to self-development and leadership books, hiring business coaches/signing up for membership programs, and networking with other OTP entrepreneurs.
Can you share a little bit about salary and compensation in this setting? How do OT or the services you provide get funded?
It varies. Last year (2022) was my first time hosting the OTEC conference and my first full year having private clients, so between both, I added $10,000 to my gross salary of independent contracting in early intervention. With the OTEC conference, I had sponsorships from two companies/organizations, OT Passport and COTAD. With my private clients, it is private pay (out-of-network), and my pricing is based on my location in the NYC metro area for services for evals and sessions. My EMR system handles the payments from clients on the back end.
Any career advice for our followers and listeners on how to get started on this path?
Do not be afraid to network with others further along their entrepreneurial journey. Do not be afraid to ask questions. It is impossible to have all the answers. Be willing to always learn from others who are doing what you want to do. Going into entrepreneurship is not easy, yet it is something that you want to take small steps in working on day to day and enjoy.
What’s a common myth or misconception about your job/role you’d like to call out or demystify?
That OTP entrepreneurs are in competition with one another, especially if you are in a similar practice area/specialty.
How do we find you, follow you, be in touch with you, and promote your unique work?
Instagram: @otentrepreneursofcolor @maynardmilestones:
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/otentrepreneursofcolor/
Email maynardmilestones@gmail.com:
Website www.maynardmilestones.com
LinkedIn: Patrice Maynard:
Please list any resources you would like me to include with your Show Notes (courses, articles, assessments, tools, etc.)
The Occupational Therapy Entrepreneurs of Color (OTEC) Online Conference takes place on Saturday, October 7th, and Sunday, October 8th, 2023 from 11 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Tickets are on sale until Friday, October 6th, 2023 at 11:59 pm EST. Open to OTPs, students, and other healthcare providers.
https://patrice-maynard.mykajabi.com/otec-offer-landing-page
Podcasts: OTs Get Paid Podcast; Mind Your OT Business; The OTPreneur Podcast
Reina Olivera Taking OTs Online (Facebook); Ready, Set, Treat! Book
As always, I welcome any feedback & ideas from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsot
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