We had the good fortune of connecting with Meredith Castin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meredith, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I truly believe that I have been successful largely because everything I do with my business is 100% mission-driven. My mission is to help physical, occupational, and speech therapy professionals use their skills and experience to launch exciting new healthcare careers outside direct patient care. I want to help them feel inspired and supported while they create their “plan B.” Whenever I consider launching a new initiative, I ask myself whether I’m doing so to make money or to support the company’s mission. Ideally, whatever I am considering will do both! However, if I do find myself pulled toward a project that is driven purely by profit, I know that I should not pursue that initiative. I value people’s trust more than their money, and that mentality has served me very well. In that vein, I only partner with people who share that mentality. That, too, has served me very well!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am so incredibly grateful to run The Non-Clinical PT. What started as a simple informational blog has evolved to replace my full-time income, and it has been like a dream come true. I am very fortunate to have had the right idea at the right time—but it would be a lie to say this has been easy. I work a LOT, including many nights and weekends. I am grateful for the help I have gotten from my friend and mentor (Chanda Jothen, PT, DPT), as well as my husband, Nick, who helps me a lot with the behind-the-scenes operations that keep things running. The biggest lesson I have learned along the way is to not pay much attention to what others are doing. Once people notice that you’re successful at something, they’ll come along and try to replicate it, usually without your heart or mission, and usually with the sole purpose of making money. As a one-woman business who happened to be a bit of a trendsetter in this space, I cannot afford to obsess over copycats—and I refuse to do so because that can only hurt the people I am trying to help. The one thing I want people to know about starting an online business is this: if you have identified a true problem that needs solving, you’re in good shape. I see so many people go into business online because they want freedom, flexibility, or a paycheck, but those will only come if your business solves people’s problems. If you already have a handle on that, you’re way ahead of the game 🙂

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite restaurants in San Diego are in Hillcrest. I love Bahn Thai and La Vecindad, as well as Lemonade, Malandrino, and Nishiki ramen. I would recommend anyone visiting San Diego has some great fish tacos by the beach, though!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am eternally grateful to Chanda Jothen, PT, DPT, for serving as a mentor and a friend through this process. She is based in Minnesota. She runs a pediatric physical therapy blog and was extremely helpful in guiding me toward setting up my business in a way where I don’t lose my mind!

Website: https://thenonclinicalpt.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenonclinicalpt/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-non-clinical-pt/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nonclinicalpt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNonClinicalPT/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD0Bj_KuOuuz4r69vo4t-MQ

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