Community Highlights: Meet Gwen Claussen of Flourishing Lives

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwen Claussen.

Hi Gwen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started with my son.

When my son Gage was born prematurely, I found myself navigating a world I never expected—specialists, therapies, and constant unknowns. He struggled to engage with the world around him, and as a mom, it was heartbreaking. I spent countless hours researching, advocating, and trying to find the right kind of support for him. Through that process, I discovered the transformative power of occupational therapy—not just for him, but for our entire family. It gave us tools, hope, and a path forward.

I didn’t start out as a business owner or even plan to run a clinic. But when the pediatric therapy clinic I had been involved with closed during the pandemic, I saw an opportunity to build something deeply meaningful. I purchased the business and rebranded it as Flourishing Lives, a pediatric OT and speech therapy clinic rooted in relationship-based, child-led care.

Since then, our mission has been clear: to help families realize their full potential by supporting children with sensory processing differences, feeding challenges, developmental delays, and more. We’ve grown our team, expanded our services, and even created digital resources and community programs to make care more accessible and inclusive.

It’s been hard work—and deeply personal—but every step of the way has been driven by purpose. What started as one mom looking for answers has grown into a thriving space for healing, growth, and possibility.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—there have been plenty of challenges along the way.

One of the biggest hurdles early on was making the decision to purchase a pediatric therapy practice even though I’m not a therapist myself. It was a significant financial investment, and I worried how that would be perceived by the staff, the families we serve, and the broader community. But I’ve found that being a parent—especially one who’s walked this path personally—has actually been an asset. I’ve built an incredible team of highly skilled therapists who lead the clinical work, while I focus on running and growing the business to better serve families. My lived experience helps guide our mission and ensures we always prioritize family-centered care.

Another unique challenge was that I initially purchased the business while living in Georgia, even though the clinic is in Michigan. That’s definitely not the traditional way to start a business! But through a lot of remote leadership, late nights, and intentional systems, I was able to successfully lead and grow the clinic for nearly two years before relocating my family back to Michigan.

Like any small business, we’ve also faced the usual growing pains—staffing changes, employee injuries, shifting contracts, insurance reimbursement cuts, and the constant need to adapt to ever-changing policies. But every challenge has taught me something, and we’ve come out stronger each time.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Flourishing Lives?
Flourishing Lives is a pediatric occupational and speech therapy clinic based in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. We specialize in helping children with sensory processing challenges, feeding difficulties, developmental delays, autism, and other neurodivergent needs. But more than that—we support the entire family.

What sets us apart is our relationship-based, child-led approach. We don’t force children into boxes or push cookie-cutter solutions. Our therapists take the time to build trust, meet kids where they are, and create individualized treatment plans that truly work. We also empower parents with tools, education, and support, because when a child is struggling, the whole family feels it—and healing should include everyone.

What I’m most proud of is the environment we’ve created. We’re known for our warmth, our passion, and our belief that every child can thrive with the right support. Families often tell us that it “feels different” here—in the best way. That’s by design. From the moment someone walks through our doors (or even just calls to inquire), we want them to feel seen, understood, and hopeful.

Our brand stands for compassion, excellence, and possibility. Whether it’s in the clinic, online, or out in the community, we’re committed to helping children and families flourish.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes—I’m a big believer in continuous learning, and there are several resources that have made a huge impact on both my personal life and my business journey.

Books:
The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Who Not How (also by Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy) have been game-changers for me. They’ve helped shift my mindset from trying to do everything myself to focusing on finding the right people to help me grow—and appreciating how far I’ve already come.

Podcasts:
I love The Game by Alex Hormozi for practical business strategies, and SmartLess when I need something light and funny to recharge. I also enjoy The Ed Mylett Show for motivation and high-performance mindset tips.

Apps:
Asana and Voxer are my go-to tools for staying organized and connected with my team. I also use Google Calendar religiously—it basically runs my life!

Overall, I try to mix inspiration with action steps and make time for both personal development and a good laugh.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flourishinglivesmi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishinglivesmi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlourishingLivesMI
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-claussen/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flourishinglivesmi