Hidden Gems: Meet Katie Gillette of Rooted Potential LLC.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Gillette.

Hi Katie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been an Occupational Therapist for 14 years, receiving my Masters degree from SVSU in 2011. For most of my career, I actually worked with adults in various rehab settings. When I became a mom, things started to shift for me, as “Mom” became a primary role for me. I breastfed both of my children, but we struggled with that journey. I wasn’t aware of the support and resources that were available out there for me, and so I struggled alone. Something that I didn’t expect in the newborn phase of life, was just how isolating it can be, no matter how supportive your partner, family, and friends are. I did return to work after my babies were born, but shortly after having my youngest, I realized that I wanted to shift into more of a stay at home mom role for my family. That shift wasn’t easy, but it was what my soul needed at that time. During my 4 years staying home with my kids, I started to reflect about my journey as a mom and the struggles and joys that came with it. I loved being an Occupational Therapist and knew that I would eventually return to work, but I wanted to create two things in my professional life: a renewed passion for what I was doing professionally, and the ability to maintain a flexible schedule so that I could pick my kids up from school and attend field trips or show up for my kids when they needed me to. I already knew that I had a growing passion to support postpartum moms, and since so many women have struggles or anxieties about feeding their baby (me included), I knew that I wanted to provide support in this area. I started digging into various post graduate education opportunities, and in the span of a year I became a Clinical Lactation Specialist, certified in the Tummy Time Method, an Infant Craniosacral Therapist, and participated in hours of continuing education on oral motor function, tongue/lip tie, and business management. From there, Rooted Potential was born. In 2022, I opened up a small private practice in Midland where I see families for breastfeeding, bottle feeding, oral motor dysfunction, body tension, developmental milestones, tongue/lip tie therapy (both before and after release procedures), and have a program for plugged milk ducts and mastitis. I am so happy to be in a place where I absolutely love what I do.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I would say overall, it has been a smooth road. The main struggles I have faced is learning the business ownership aspect, and weighing out the financial risks and benefits of small business ownership. I have always been client centered and want what is best for my clients, so supporting them has never been a problem for me.

We’ve been impressed with Rooted Potential LLC. , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an Occupational Therapist and Certified Lactation Specialist. I work with babies under 12 months old, and their families. I specifically work on breastfeeding and lactation, bottle feeding, starting solids, oral motor function for babies that have tongue ties/lip ties, and I work on body tension in babies (which is way more common than you think). Addressing these issues help alleviate head turning preference, torticollis, and plagiocephaly or any head flattening. One of the main reasons that I went into private practice is so that I could deliver the services that I want to and that my clients deserve with no time constraints or productivity demands. My initial evaluations with clients are around 2 hours. I never want a parent to feel rushed. I want them to feel comfortable feeding their babies when the baby is ready, not in a 15 minute time frame. I want them to feel like they are seen and heard and understood. I am also really big on parent empowerment and education. I work with families to equip them to work with their babies at home in between the days that I see them. I truly believe that with this type of follow through, we see more positive outcomes more quickly. I really think that sets me apart from other practices. I also have a lot of continuing education under my belt. I received additional post graduate education in oral motor function, tongue/lip tie, body work, craniosacral therapy, lactation, and infant feeding. Because of this, I have the ability to treat and educate on a broad range of conditions, which may help to cut back on how many specialists a family has to see. That can be a huge burden on them both time and financially.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is that my clients feel seen and heard. That they can come through my doors and know that I am committed to listening to them and to their goals. To me, it is such a honor to support a postpartum mom. To advocate for her, to stand in the gap for her, to do everything I can to help her achieve feeding goals. The breakthrough that I get to witness when a mom can comfortably breastfeed her baby for the first time, or to see a baby be comfortable in their body (when they have otherwise been labeled as “colicky”)….it’s just such a privilege to be a part of that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rootedpotentialllc.com