Meet Caitlin Carlow, Managing Director of Sweet Paeds Therapy, a paediatric occupational therapy practice in Pakenham, Victoria. Started in 2020 with a mission to make a bigger impact in the community, Sweet Paeds helps kids build confidence, independence and everyday skills through play-based therapy and a dedicated sensory integration gym.
For Caitlin, it’s about more than hitting developmental milestones. It’s about creating a safe space where children can learn, grow and do the things they love while bringing families closer together in the process. In this exclusive interview, she shares how she built a welcoming practice from the ground up, what makes occupational therapy so transformative and her advice for anyone starting their own business. Let’s meet this local legend!
Tell us about Sweet Paeds Therapy. How did it start?
Sweet Paeds Therapy started in 2020, and I really wanted to make a much bigger impact in the community. Starting Sweet Paeds Therapy was a way that we could get more therapists on board to service more families.
You’ve built such a welcoming space. How have you gone about creating that environment?
In creating the welcoming space that we have at Sweet Paeds Therapy, we’ve really focused on making sure that the team that we have all are very passionate about their jobs and the work that they do to support the children. I guess the way that we support the parent, if when they call and they say, “I’ve been recommended, but I’m not too sure why,” we explain that we’re there to help build independence for their child. So, it’s a very clear process with us. And so, that shines through when the children and their families walk through the door and we can be genuine and authentic in supporting them and making them feel safe in our space.
What advice would you have for someone looking to start their own practice or small business?
The advice that I would give is be true to why you started in the first place. There are plenty of times when you’re running a business and finding your feet that curveballs get thrown at you, new stress pops up that you didn’t expect, and it can be some really challenging times. But I think going back and remembering why you started in the first place is a really good way to get through those tricky times.
VistaPrint believes in supporting businesses just like Sweet Paeds Therapy. As a customer of VistaPrint, what are your favourite products and how do you use them?
Some of the printed materials that we use include business cards, we’ve also got a pop-up banner that we use at our expos. We use printed flyers that we distribute around the local community to describe the work that we do and list the kind of services that we provide. And just around the clinic, we have all branded pens, cups, stamps and everything!
Got a business idea of your own? VistaPrint is here to help you bring it to life with custom marketing tools and merch that build trust and recognition in your community.
From business cards to banners and beyond, we’ve got everything you need to make your mark. Follow @vistaprintaustralia on Instagram for more branding inspiration and catch more Aussie #LocalLegends on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@vistaprintau.
