Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Katenhusen.
Hi Richard, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I graduated in 2001 with a degree in chemistry and mathematics, and I spent the next 10 years working in cancer research—specifically in mass spectrometry and proteomics. I enjoyed the science and the problem-solving, but I always had an entrepreneurial drive and a strong interest in building something of my own.
In the early days of the internet boom, I saw a real opportunity in orthopedics. People needed braces, casting supplies, and recovery products, but access wasn’t always easy—especially for patients in more remote areas or anyone who simply didn’t want to chase down supplies through traditional channels. So in September of 2005, I started OrthoTape as an orthopedic e-commerce business, building OrthoTape.com one product and one vendor relationship at a time. At first, I focused on finding trusted manufacturers who would allow me to sell their products directly to consumers, while also supporting doctors’ offices and clinics that needed reliable orthopedic supplies.
Over time, I learned a hard truth about e-commerce: if you’re only selling other people’s brands, you’re always competing against bigger companies selling the exact same items—often with more buying power and more visibility. That’s when we made a major shift toward building our own product lines. We started with our own fiberglass casting tape and intentionally offered more colors and options than most clinics typically stock. That might sound like a small detail, but it matters—especially to kids, teens, and anyone who wants their recovery to feel a little more personal and less clinical. From there, we expanded into cast padding and stockinette, and we also began importing select bracing products so we could offer better availability and value.
One of our most meaningful innovations has been OrthoH2O, our waterproof cast liner. Traditionally, once someone is in a cast, the daily routine gets harder fast—no showering normally, no swimming, constant worry about keeping the cast dry, and a lot of stress for families trying to manage it all. OrthoH2O changes that. It allows a patient to bathe, shower, and even swim while wearing an orthopedic cast—something that most “traditional” casting setups simply can’t handle. Another key part of what we do is making this accessible even when a doctor’s office doesn’t stock it. We can ship the product directly to the patient, and they can bring it to their physician to use at the time the cast is applied. That helps patients get a better experience without being limited by what a clinic keeps on the shelf.
We’ve also built innovations outside the traditional orthopedic lane because fiberglass casting tape is an incredibly versatile material. One example is Fix-It Wrap—our repair wrap that uses fiberglass to patch and reinforce things like water pipes, tool handles, and broken equipment. It’s the kind of product that’s useful in a workshop, on a farm, or even in an emergency kit because it helps people make strong repairs quickly. Another is OrthoHoof, which is designed for farriers and equine veterinarians. Horses face serious hoof issues, and the ability to stabilize and protect the hoof with a durable casting material can make a huge difference. OrthoHoof comes in fiberglass and polyester options depending on the use case, and it’s opened the door for us to serve a unique professional community beyond human orthopedics.
Another big part of our mission at OrthoTape.com is affordability—especially for people with high deductibles or limited insurance coverage. In many traditional settings, a walking boot might be billed at $400 through a clinic or hospital (to insurance or Medicare) because those systems have higher overhead and higher billing structures. The issue is that if a patient has a $1,000 deductible—or simply doesn’t have strong coverage—that cost can land directly on their shoulders. We try to solve that by offering the same type of medical boots and orthopedic supplies online for a fraction of the price in many cases (for example, around $79 depending on the model). The point isn’t to criticize providers—it’s to give patients another option, especially when the “standard” route becomes financially painful.
Today, OrthoTape is proud to serve customers nationwide through OrthoTape.com, but I also have a very specific local goal. We’re based in South Carolina, right here in the Lowcountry, and we’re close to Savannah and coastal Georgia. We stock real inventory, we understand the orthopedic product line deeply, and we can absolutely service local hospitals and orthopedic clinics. One of our biggest challenges has been that many clinics default to buying from massive national suppliers—the “Amazon-style” approach—or distribution giants like McKesson. I understand why that happens, but I also believe local clinics have an opportunity to strengthen the local economy by partnering with a capable small business that’s right down the road. My hope from sharing this story is that more local orthopedic doctors, clinics, and hospitals will see us as a resource and give us a chance—because we’re ready to support them, respond quickly, and help keep more of those dollars here in the Lowcountry where their patients—and our community—actually live.
At the end of the day, I’m driven by a simple purpose: make orthopedic recovery easier, better, and more accessible—whether that means improving the patient experience with waterproof solutions like OrthoH2O, offering innovative products like Fix-It Wrap and OrthoHoof, or helping people save real money when insurance deductibles make care unnecessarily expensive. If anyone wants to learn more about what we do, they can visit OrthoTape.com and see the full range of products and solutions we’ve built over the years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Early on, one major challenge was securing quality imports. Many initial suppliers didn’t meet the standards we wanted, so we had to continually refine our sourcing to improve consistency.
Then came rising import costs. Initially, small businesses paid no FDA importer fee. That changed. It started at $1,500 per year and now exceeds $11,000 annually. As a small business, that’s a crushing cost just to import. I’ve reached out to representatives, but no help came. It feels like small businesses are squeezed while big companies thrive.
Tariffs added more strain. Since these products aren’t made in the U.S., we rely on imports. One shipment cost us an extra $10,000 in tariffs. Without loans to manufacture domestically, we’re stuck absorbing or passing on costs. On top of that, labor costs have risen. While fair wages matter, it’s harder for small businesses to compete.
We also face giants like Amazon. These billion-dollar companies allow direct imports, funneling money overseas, while small businesses keep dollars local. Yet, we can’t match their scale. The government hasn’t curbed this monopoly, leaving mom-and-pop operations struggling. We rely on loyal local customers and strong service to survive.
Still, we persist. We advocate for support and keep adapting, hoping our community sees the value of keeping their dollars in the Lowcountry. Despite the hurdles, we’re committed to overcoming them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At OrthoTape.com, we’re especially proud of three innovations. OrthoH2O is a game-changer for patients in casts. Traditional casts can’t get wet, restricting daily life. Our waterproof liner lets patients bathe, shower, and even swim, providing freedom and convenience during recovery.
Fixit Wrap is another unique product. It’s a fiberglass repair wrap that can fix pipes, tools, and broken items—ideal for homeowners, DIYers, and emergency kits. It’s versatile, quick to apply, and a go-to solution for fast, strong repairs.
OrthoHoof is designed for farriers and equine vets. We’ve created a cost-effective, high-quality hoof casting tape that helps stabilize and protect horses’ hooves. It’s a trusted solution for clinics, combining affordability with performance.
What sets us apart is that we serve both individual patients and clinics. We offer innovative products, local dedication, and a mission to make orthopedics more accessible. In short, we want readers to know that when they choose OrthoTape.com, they get practical innovations, fair prices, and a team that cares about their recovery.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
For me, it’s been all about self-education. I dive deep into self-help books and study areas like psychology and business. My biggest advice is to understand every aspect of your business. Whether it’s marketing, AI, social media, or Google ads, you must learn enough to assess if it’s done right. I’ve leaned heavily on the internet and books to gain that knowledge. I haven’t relied on traditional mentors; instead, I’ve sought out experts’ insights online. If you’re proactive and willing to learn, you can build a strong network of knowledge, even if it’s not through traditional mentoring.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://orthotape.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ortho_tape/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/OrthoTapecom-61550605047039/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orthotape/
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/p/OrthoTapecom-61550605047039/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrthotapeDOTcom
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@orthotape.com
