OT Entrepreneur Spotlight: April 2026
✨ OT Entrepreneur Spotlight: Cait the COTA
From career change to creative impact in pediatric OT. There’s something really special about therapists who take their passion beyond the clinic—and turn it into something that helps others show up better every single day. This month, I’m so excited to introduce you to Cait—COTA, school-based therapist, and creator behind @cait_the_cota. Her story is one so many of us can relate to… full of growth, creativity, and finding your purpose in unexpected ways.
💛 Her OT Journey: Finding the Right Path
Cait’s journey into occupational therapy wasn’t a straight line—and honestly, that’s what makes it so inspiring. She originally earned her degree in social work and spent a few years in that field before realizing it wasn’t the right long-term fit. After connecting with a rehab company through a neighbor and shadowing a COTA, everything clicked. Shortly after, she made the brave decision to go back to school and completely change careers.With the support of her husband cheering her on, she stepped into OT—and never looked back.
“I truly feel like I am where I am meant to be.”
Now, she’s been a school-based COTA for 10 years, and the heart of her work is clear: It’s her students. Building relationships over the years, helping them grow, and getting to “play” while supporting their goals—she describes it as her dream job. And honestly… it shows.
✂️ From Therapist to Creator: How It Started
Like many of us, Cait found herself searching for resources—scrolling through Teachers Pay Teachers, Pinterest, and therapy sites trying to find what her students needed.
And then she had a thought:
“I could make something like this.”
So she did. She jumped into creating resources—without having everything figured out—but with the belief that what she made could help other therapists too.
Her very first product? A Christmas fine motor packet—and she still remembers how proud she felt creating something she was actively using in her sessions.
That moment turned into something much bigger.
📄 What She Creates (And Why It Matters)
Cait creates printable, low-prep therapy resources designed for:
•Occupational therapists
•Teachers
•Parents
Her focus? Making life easier.
Her materials target:
•Fine motor skills
•Visual perception
•Hand strengthening
•Early intervention + elementary needs
But what makes her resources so valuable is this: 👉 They’re made to be grab-and-go
No overwhelming prep. No extra stress. Just practical tools you can actually use during a busy therapy day.
And if you’re like most therapists… you know how important that is.
🌎 The Impact: Helping Therapists Everywhere
For Cait, the most meaningful part of creating isn’t just the sales—it’s the feedback.
The messages that say:
•“This saved me time.”
•“My students loved this.”
That’s what keeps her going. Because she knows how overwhelming therapy planning can feel… and if her resources can take even a little bit of that pressure off, it matters.
“It means the world to me to know that my resources are helping other therapists.”
And the fact that her work is now being used across the country—and even around the world? Still something she doesn’t take for granted.
🌿 Growth Without Pressure
Cait keeps things real when it comes to running a TPT store.
It’s:
•A creative outlet
•A side hustle
•A growing business
But also… something she doesn’t force.
She creates in waves—leaning into creativity when it comes, and allowing herself to step back when it doesn’t.
And that’s exactly how she’s avoided burnout over the years.
Because let’s be honest—between:
•A full-time school-based job
•Two kids at home
•Everyday life
There isn’t always time or energy to create.
But she’s made it work by using the small pockets of time:
•Early mornings
•Naptime
•Lunch breaks
•Late nights
Not perfectly… but consistently.
☕ Real Life Balance (And Keeping It Sustainable)
Cait’s story is a reminder that balance doesn’t mean doing everything all the time.
It means:
•Giving yourself grace
•Taking breaks when needed
•Not forcing creativity
•Trusting that slow seasons don’t last forever
And maybe… having an iced coffee in hand while doing it 😉
Her go-to?
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks (honestly… same).
💡 Encouragement for Other Therapists
If you’ve ever thought about creating resources, starting something, or sharing your ideas—this is your sign.
Cait’s advice is simple: 👉 Just go for it.
You don’t have to have everything figured out. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.
Because if something helps YOU in your sessions… there’s a really good chance it will help someone else too.
“Your ideas aren’t doing any good just sitting in your brain—bring them to life.”
🎉 A Few Fun Things About Cait
•She loves creating for early learners (especially prewriting + letter formation)
•Her Build-A sets are a favorite (and worth the prep!)
•Her store can be summed up in one word: time-saving
•She’s especially proud of her Year of Push Pin Games—a resource that helped launch her journey and came full circle when it was sold on platforms she once shopped from
🛍️ Check Out Her Work
If you’re looking for low-prep, functional, and therapist-approved resources, you can explore Cait’s shop here:
👉 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/cait-the-cota
And follow along on Instagram:
👉 @cait_the_cota
💛 Final Thoughts
Cait’s story is such a powerful reminder that:
•It’s okay to change paths
•It’s okay to start before you feel ready
•And it’s okay to grow something slowly, in the middle of real life
She’s not just creating resources— she’s helping therapists feel more prepared, more confident, and a little less overwhelmed.
And that’s exactly what this community is all about.