Dr. Brandy Archie

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Dr. Brandy Archie, an occupational therapist and founder of AskSAMIE—a digital care ecosystem designed to make aging in place accessible for everyone. After years of helping older adults navigate daily life safely at home, I was frustrated watching families try to piece together the right equipment and services without expert support—because the healthcare system didn’t offer it.

AskSAMIE bridges that gap. We connect family caregivers to clinically vetted adaptive equipment and support from occupational therapists, so they’re not left guessing during one of the most overwhelming seasons of life. Our platform also empowers OTs—who are often overlooked in health tech—to grow their practices with tools that amplify their expertise. This isn’t just about solving one person’s problem. It’s about changing the system so that safety, independence, and dignity aren’t luxuries—they’re baseline expectations. I’ve seen what’s possible when people have the right tools. We’re building the infrastructure to make that possible for everyone.

What did it take/how did you get started?

I got started because I was tired of seeing the same problem over and over again—people leaving the hospital with a list of equipment they needed to stay safe at home, but no way to actually get it. Insurance didn’t cover the most helpful tools, and clinicians like me didn’t have the time, systems, or resources to guide families through the next steps. It was heartbreaking to know exactly what someone needed and not be able to help them get it.

So I started by building a local service business—AccessAble Living—where we did home assessments, delivered equipment, and trained families in person. That helped, but I quickly realized I could only reach the people I could physically drive to. That’s what led to AskSAMIE: a tech platform that scales my clinical knowledge and puts it in the hands of every family who needs it, no matter where they live. It’s built from years of hands-on experience, a deep belief that accessibility is a right, and a whole lot of bootstrapping, grant writing, and persistence.

What does the future look like for you and your business?

The future of AskSAMIE is about more than selling equipment—it’s about reimagining how care is delivered and who gets to deliver it. We’re building a scalable, tech-enabled ecosystem that places occupational therapy at the center of aging in place, chronic care management, and everyday accessibility.

My goal is to make OT not just more visible, but more essential—to show that we’re the practical problem-solvers healthcare has overlooked for too long. We’re advocating for OTs to be recognized as key players in improving health outcomes, advancing health equity, and expanding access—especially for people in underserved or under resourced communities.

At the same time, we’re giving OTs the tools to reduce burnout and finally practice the way we were trained: creatively, holistically, and with impact. AskSAMIE is where all of that comes together. In five years, I see us supporting thousands of OTs, powering accessibility in every ZIP code, and becoming the go-to hub for families and clinicians alike. Because when society understands the value of occupational therapy, everyone wins.

What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?

What drives me is connection—between people, between ideas, and between problems and the practical solutions that can make life better. As an OT, I’ve always seen how powerful it is when someone finally gets the right tool or the right insight and suddenly life becomes a little easier. But too often, that clarity is out of reach because the system is fragmented and expert information is locked away behind time constraints, insurance limits, or geographic barriers.

I’m motivated by the idea that we can change that. That we can build something that brings people together—caregivers and clinicians, tech and empathy—and makes expert guidance accessible to everyone. I believe relationships are the root of good care and lasting change. Whether it’s a family member finally feeling supported or an OT realizing their work matters again, those connections are what fuel me. AskSAMIE exists to make those moments possible at scale.

What advice would you give someone interested in doing what you do?

If you see a problem clearly, that means you’re uniquely positioned to solve it—and the world needs you to try. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect plan. If you have an idea, research it, talk to people, and get started. The fact that the idea won’t leave you alone is often the biggest sign you’re the one meant to bring it to life.

Start by building your network—ask questions, talk to the people you want to serve, and stay curious. Customer discovery isn’t just a step—it’s a constant process. Let what you learn shape what you build, so it truly meets a real need in the way your customers actually live. You don’t have to have all the answers in the beginning. You just have to start moving.

What has been the hardest part of your business journey?

The hardest part has been pulling together the resources fast enough to bring the vision to life. I can see so clearly what’s possible—how many lives we could improve, how much impact OTs could make, how many families could feel relief instead of stress—but turning that vision into reality takes time, capital, and people.

And when you know the problem is urgent, the pace never feels fast enough. It’s a constant race to secure funding, build the right tools, and scale the team—all while staying grounded in the mission. I’ve bootstrapped, applied for grants, and leaned hard into partnerships to keep moving forward. But the hardest part is knowing the solution is needed now and having to be patient as we build the path to get there.

How have you managed burnout thus far?

I manage burnout by staying focused on why I started—because this problem needs to be solved. I’m deeply passionate about making aging in place possible for more people and giving occupational therapists the tools to do the work they love in a way that’s sustainable. That purpose fuels me, even on the hardest days.

But I’m also building this business to create generational wealth for my family. I don’t want to spend my whole life trading time for money. So every late night or tough decision is part of a bigger plan—one that allows me to leave a legacy and open doors for others. That combination of purpose and long-term vision keeps me going.

What are a few resources that you'd recommend?

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – A must-read for anyone building something from scratch. It helped me stay focused on testing, learning, and iterating quickly.

Hello Skip & KC Source Link – Great for discovering grants and resources specifically for small business owners.

How I Built This (Podcast) – Hearing the real stories behind big brands reminds me that every business starts with an idea and a whole lot of persistence.

Pipeline Fellowship – If you’re a founder in the middle of building, this network of support and education is incredibly grounding and empowering.

Notion – I run our business on it for project management, knowledge base and more.

And honestly—talking to real people. Nothing replaces consistent conversations with the folks you’re trying to serve. That’s the best resource of all.