From PT to Ergonomics Entrepreneur: Adam Jennings on Building Wildemont Ergonomics

Are you a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or healthcare professional wondering if ergonomics could be your next chapter? In this episode of the Business of Ergonomics podcast, I sit down with Adam Jennings, founder of Wildemont Ergonomics in Kansas City, to explore exactly that question.

Adam's journey is one many clinicians will recognize: years of clinical work, a pivot into healthcare IT and organizational strategy, and then a realization that he missed the direct impact of helping people. What started as "moonlighting for diaper money" before the pandemic turned into a full-fledged business—and a whole new way of thinking about worker health.

Why Ergonomics? A PT's Perspective

Adam's entry into ergonomics came from a simple opportunity to do some side work while raising two young children. What he didn't expect was how much he'd love the field.

"Ergonomics afforded a chance to provide direct preventative interventions in a way that I really just couldn't as a PT."

The appeal? No insurance headaches. No brick-and-mortar clinic overhead. And the ability to reach underserved populations—particularly in industrial settings where chronic overuse injuries often go unaddressed.

For PTs and OTs considering this path, Adam points out that ergonomics largely falls within existing practice acts. That means you may already have the credentials you need to start offering these services.

Casting a Wide Net: Office AND Industrial

One of Adam's deliberate strategic choices has been to serve both office environments and industrial settings. His reasoning is simple: ergonomics is industry-agnostic.

"Anywhere that people do work and they do it consistently opens the door to the possibility of overuse injury."

While he admits a preference for the larger-scale, more complex challenges found in manufacturing, he's happy to weigh in on desk assessments too. And for those hesitant about industrial work? Adam advises:

• Do your research before signing a contract
• Ask existing clients if you can do free walkthroughs to learn their environment
• Remember that listening to workers is your most valuable skill
• Fresh eyes in a new industry can actually be an asset

The Consultative Sales Approach

If cold calling hasn't been working for you, Adam's experience might resonate. He's found that relationship-building and referral networks are far more effective than knocking on doors.

His 2026 strategy focuses on partnering with people who already have wide networks—leveraging their connections rather than trying to reach every prospect individually.

But perhaps his most valuable insight is about the sales conversation itself:

"Before you start throwing your services out there and before you start telling them how much you charge, I would listen to what their actual needs are so that you can put together an actual package that makes sense for them."

ROI in ergonomics isn't always about promising a specific dollar figure. It's about:

• Reducing variability and disruptions
• Improving change acceptance for new processes or equipment
• Speeding return-to-function for injured workers
• Aligning your interventions to their actual risks and constraints

The Two Vines Problem

Adam is refreshingly honest about a challenge many aspiring ergonomics entrepreneurs face: the "two vines" problem.

"I am balancing full-time—like a day job—with building up something that really does not tolerate a day job in order to be built."

His current approach involves considering hiring hourly help for data collection work, allowing him to focus on report writing and client relationships. But he's also aware of the trade-off: scaling saves time but sacrifices face-time with clients.

The breakthrough? Adam recently signed an agreement to use clinic space for performing Functional Capacity Evaluations. This milestone adds legitimacy, opens doors to direct work comp PT services, and creates opportunities for holistic worker care.

Key Takeaways for Your Ergonomics Business

1. Your clinical degree is an asset. PTs and OTs can offer a full lifecycle of worker care—from prevention to rehabilitation.
2. Cast a wide net. Don't limit yourself to one industry. Your skills transfer.
3. Listen first. The best tool in your toolkit is understanding what your client actually needs.
4. Build referral networks. Cold calling is hard. Relationships scale better.
5. Meet clients where they are. Not every workplace is ready for comprehensive ergonomics. Sometimes you start with accommodations or return-to-work services.
6. Persistence matters. "Not right now" isn't always "no." Keep a CRM. Follow up.

Connect with Adam 

• Website: wildemont.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Tagline: Move Better. Work Safer. Grow Stronger.

Ready to Accelerate Your Ergonomics Business?

If Adam's story has you thinking about your own path in ergonomics, check out the Accelerate Program here. It's designed to help you build, grow, and scale your ergonomics business—no matter where you're starting from.

Have questions or want to share your own journey? Drop a comment below or reach out—I'd love to hear from you.