Meet Liz Koren of Orange County

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Koren.

Hi Liz, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It was through volunteer work in high school that I was first introduced to the field of Occupational Therapy. I was immediately drawn to the blend of science, compassion, and creativity. Those early experiences led me to pursue OT in college and eventually graduate school at Boston University.

During my clinical rotations, at Pediatric Therapy Network and Rady’s Children’s Hospital, I discovered feeding therapy and it quickly became my passion. Supporting children and their families in such a fundamental and meaningful way felt like the work I was meant to do.

Starting a business and owning a clinic was never part of my original plan. But I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Life has a way of guiding us, even when the road isn’t always clear. The journey has been full of unexpected lessons including navigating the beautiful (and sometimes chaotic) balance of motherhood, running a business and everything in between.

While the path wasn’t easy, it was purposeful and brought me a career I love, a community I care deeply about, and a place where I get to make a real difference every single day. Helping families and watching them thrive is an incredible privilege. I’m grateful for every step that led me here.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many paths worth taking, mine hasn’t been without its challenges. When I took over an already established clinic, I had limited knowledge of the business side of healthcare. Within days, it became clear that the business was struggling, and I found myself on a steep learning curve to turn things around. Through determination and strategic decision-making, I expanded the clinic from two to three disciplines and grew the caseload from 200 to over 1,000 clients per month. I successfully navigated significant challenges, including the first wave of insurance reimbursement cuts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous operational hurdles, all while continuing to grow and stabilize the practice.

One of the most difficult realities has been seeing the work I love impacted by insurance companies drastically cutting reimbursement rates. It was disheartening to realize that something so meaningful could be devalued in that way.

I’ve also faced the tough but necessary lessons of leadership, including working with employees who lacked worth ethic and integrity, both of which are essential in this field.

Over the past 12 years, I came to realize that owning a traditional brick-and-mortar clinic wasn’t aligned with my vision. I knew that consistently seeing clients as numbers and not as whole families was not something I could continue doing. This realization led me to a reinvention of myself as a concierge OT and developmental expert. This shift has allowed me to return to the heart of why I started this journey in the first place. I wanted to help families in a more personal, meaningful and effective way, right in their natural environments. The response to this in my community has been overwhelmingly positive and I’m thankful for all the families that I’m able to continue helping.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a feeding therapist and developmental occupational therapist, specializing in infants and young children and supporting them in a holistic way. My approach is grounded in both professional experience and personal understanding. In Orange County, I’ve become known not only for my expertise in feeding therapy, but also for coaching and guiding new parents through the early stages of their child’s development with compassion and confidence.

What I’m most proud of in my career is that I’ve been able to maintain my integrity and passion, even through the bumps along the way. I’ve never lost sight of my vision and have kept families at the center of my work. What sets me apart is the ability to support families through every layer of their child’s development, while also showing up as a parent who understands what it is like to navigate this journey firsthand. I bring not just clinical expertise, but real-life connection and empathy into the work I do every day.

What makes me happy? Personally, the answer is easy: my children and my incredibly supportive husband. They are my grounding force, my motivation and biggest joy. Without them, none of this would be possible.

Professionally, I truly love helping families. Seeing a parent feel more confident or a child make progress that once felt out of reach is the reason I continue to do this everyday.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
While this is not one specific memory, it is a collection of moments that helped shaped the businesswoman I am today. I was lucky to have the opportunity to travel frequently with my parents on business trips as well as be in their office watching them build a business together after school everyday. At the time, I didn’t realize this was because we lacked extended family to watch my sister and I while my parents worked, but looking back, I can see that was the reason. My mom has always been an incredible role model of perseverance and independence. She lost her own mom at a young age and watching her take over the family business, grow it and and still be present for my sister and I taught me so much about balancing motherhood and a career. Those early memories of being at my mom’s office, watching her build a community, and seeing my parents work together shaped my work ethic. While I did not intentionally set out to own my own business, when the opportunity presented itself, I drew from those childhood experiences of watching my mom lead by example. Even though her business was vastly different, my mom has been a constant sounding board as a mother, wife, and and business owner who understands what it takes to persevere through challenges.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.purepeds.com
• Instagram: @pure.pediatric.therapy