Tag: Mentorship

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Business certification Labour Doula

Alumni Journey – Helena’s Doula Path

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Alumni Journey – Helena’s Doula Path

Where it all began –

Back in 2011, being a stay at home mom for over 10 years, working only part time here and there to keep me home with the kids – it was time for change. BIG change. I was losing my sense of self, kids were getting older, my husband had just changed careers and I needed something for ME. I always had a passion for women’s health, nutrition, natural healing. I looked into a few options, but midwifery REALLY resonated with me. Before I could even apply, I needed to upgrade some high school courses to get my grade point average up (apparently my memory of what a great student I was back in high school wasn’t…so…accurate…). I began looking into other things that could help boost my application and that’s when a trusty google search popped the word “doula” in front of my face. I am a mother of three and had never heard of a doula before – but man did it sound like a perfect thing to learn about while trying to pursue my goal of becoming a Midwife. I sneakily went into my “secret stash” of money that I was saving for a new camera and booked myself into a doula training course just 10 minutes from my house. Literally decided to take doula training on a Tuesday, enrolled for that Friday and the rest is HISTORY.

From the moment I attended my first birth as a doula, I knew I was meant to be on the emotional side of birth…NOT the medical. So I tucked my midwifery goals aside, dove head first into my Doula Career and became certified. My Trainer was none other than Stefanie Antunes and since that first weekend together, we have become lifelong friends and “soul sistas”. Stefanie is the real deal people, she’s been there, done that, always re-inventing herself and truly a driving force for better birth.

Stefanie also had this little “project” called the Birth Doula Program she had just launched before I met her and she needed someone to take the reins and work alongside her for a bit. I applied for the position and her and I have been partners in crime to this day, nurturing what many have viewed as a lost cause (more on that in a bit).

A few years later, I found myself wanting to do as much education as I was “doula-ing”, so looked into Prenatal Educator Programs. Once again, I was trained by Stefanie and this time the added bonus of an old high school friend and colleague Jen Rogers. By 2016 I achieved my Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.

I have been on the Board of Directors for the Association of Ontario Doulas. I have managed the Discover Birth Team. I have consulted with Health practitioners across Durham region helping them to expand the support they offer their expecting clients. I have facilitated seminars and info sessions for Doctors, Midwives, Nurses and colleagues. Give me a microphone people – the stage is my jam.

First and foremost though, I have walked the walk. I have listened more than I have spoken to truly understand a family’s fears and intentions. I have driven the miles, put in the hours, lost the sleep, and cried the tears. Left my kids recitals and missed birthdays. I’ve laughed, hugged and done more hip squeezes than I care to count (in positions I can’t even describe). I may be 50lbs overweight but no one holds a candle to my arm and shoulder strength. I’ve doula’ed through the pandemic – when human rights were being violated, but technology kept the doula in the birth room. I’ve needed support after a long hard birth and I’ve given it right back – even at 2 am when I WASN’T on call. I’ve even had the honour of performing Henna Belly blessings and learning all about the different beautiful cultural traditions of birth.

These past 10 years have been life changing. I’m a better mother, friend and wife because of this career and nothing beats the moment a birthing person looks you in the eye after the hardest and most impactful time of their life and no words even have to be spoken – you just feel the energy in the room – they did it and you helped that confidence bloom.

Being a Doula is a privilege. It’s truly a gift, never to be taken for granted. I lost my mother very young (she passed away from cancer at 39 years), so I know how precious life is. I really feel I was meant to do this work – be there for families, for women, for people.

Some of my favourite memories, so far:

*Medical professionals remembering me from a previous birth and exclaiming to the room, we are in “good hands”.

*Coming full circle as a colleague in the “birth world” when Stefanie and I were ready to change the previous model of the Birth Doula Program and expand it into more hospitals. We secured a meeting with The Director of the Alongside Midwifery unit at Markham Stouffville Hospital. She knew Stefanie professionally and she knew me from attending births together with clients under her care.  After hearing our “pitch” she said: “You are the ones mentoring these doulas and running this program, so I have every confidence they are getting the right support. If you’re teaching them, how I know you both are as doulas, then I see no problem in launching this program”

Or at least I think that’s kinda what she said…cause I was having a surreal girl crush kinda moment being complimented by Ontario’s Midwife # 1 and head of Canada’s first Midwifery led hospital unit…

*Those moments: when you don’t know you’re being watched, when you don’t know yet the ripple effect you’re causing. When the support you give rolls into 100’s of doulas lives – helping them launch their careers and in turn helps 100’s of families.  It weaves into a new parent’s confidence as they bring their baby home. Impresses knowledge so a family can make the best choice for themselves.

As I approach a crossroads in my career, deciding whether or not to hang up my doula shoes, I look back on those moments and feel nothing but gratitude.

Two years ago I put my doula career on hold as we moved from the city to the country and I was a surrogate. Having supported many families with that dynamic of growing their family, it was an honour to have been able to do that for someone. My daughter was able to be there at the birth too – how serendipitous to have had her there experiencing a true miracle. A beautiful little girl was born right on her due date (Thanksgiving Day!) and since then I have only been taking a few clients and teaching online here and there.

My husband’s renovation company is also thriving, so I’ve enjoyed jumping in and learning to manage things together with him.

In the past year, I have stepped away from the Birth Doula Program to a more quiet role (but still help with training new Doulas). I don’t belong to any birth related Boards or Associations (except my son’s local Hockey Centre Board). I’ve also said I’m retiring from doing births and only want to teach part time.

So don’t tell my husband that I bought new doula shoes, booked up my October with classes and may have booked a couple clients the month we are supposed to be taking a family vacation…this Doula isn’t going anywhere.

Parting words?

Listen more than you speak.

Surrender to the moments in labour so you can grow your confidence and truly be present for the person trusting you with this experience.

Don’t spread yourself thin – I have missed ONE birth out of 100’s in 10 years…I wanted to hit the ground running and DO everything when I started my career. Instead be truly MAGNIFICENT in one or two things you do, instead of OKAY in many.

Check your bias at the door.

Stay Hydrated…legit

 

Helena McMann

Doula School Graduate

CD(DONA) Doula

LCCE Lamaze Childbirth Educator

Co-Director, The Birth Doula Program[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Menopause Doula I ONLINE I April 3 course ACCESS date

Applicants recognize that this course material will not become available April 3rd, 2022.

This is an online course with 10 modules of content, 4 live meetings, 6 core assignments, module quizzes, a final exam, and a minimum of 20 practicum hours. Students have 24 months to complete all course requirements for completion.

Live meetings are scheduled for 7:30pm EST on:
April 21
April 28
May 5
May 12
*June 2 – optional business discussion and Q & A session

Students are asked to attend 50%.  All meetings are recorded for playback

Categories
balance Business Labour Doula Lifestyle Mentorship Postpartum Doula Uncategorised

Finding Balance: Working and Doula Life

The question often comes up in doula circles “how do people manage to swing doula work and family or other jobs”. It can be especially hard for people, like me, who are just starting out and aren’t in a place yet where they’re able to give up their other job for financial reason. I’m here to tell you, as a new doula in an area with no other doulas yet, a full time paramedic, a first-time mom-to-be, a DIY home builder and the Doula Canada Provincial Liaison for Newfoundland, it’s not an easy task.

There are two things that every doula must have, no matter their life situation. They must have a good support system and a love and deep desire for this work.

I took my training with Doula Canada in the spring of 2017. After having the time to set up my business, I took on a client due in January, and left a full time work schedule to accept a casual position working as a paramedic. I live in a province that is in heavy need of paramedics, so I have been able to work full time hours, but have the flexibility to take time off as needed. I know that this is a great luxury that is not available to everyone, and I have grateful for the position that I’m in. Having that flexibility was wonderful, as I took off time while on call for my doula client, and then returned to work again after her birth. This also coincided with my first trimester of pregnancy, so it worked out well in that I probably wouldn’t have been able to manage on call life while sick and exhausted from this pregnancy.

I would never be in the situation that I’m in without the unwavering support from my partner. When we decided that I would pursue this line of work, he supported me 100%. Even though we have had to tighten our shoestrings a bit in order for me to be on call periodically, he has recognized that for me to do work that will fill my cup, at times we will need to make some sacrifices in other areas of our lives. He also tags along to events with me, and listens to my many rants about the amount of work left to be done here! He’s a pretty good listener. I know moving forward with a child, he will allow me to take the time I need to focus on this business in whatever capacity that I need.

The second piece to the balancing puzzle is the love and desire for this type of work. It’s a lot easier to find the motivation to make those contacts, reach out to potential clients, and ask questions to the people in the community, when you see the potential. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be a real part of the shift in birth culture here in Newfoundland. There are lots of struggles, but so much potential, which really lights my fire. After every positive meeting, I find myself motivated to keep moving forward. After every negative encounter, I find myself driven to help make that change. It’s hard to look at how far we have to go and to know, realistically, how long it’s going to take to get there. But each assignment that gets submitted, each new like on my Facebook page, every acknowledgement by a once skeptic gets us closer to providing the right support to the families in our area!

So how does this translate to you and your doula business?

First of all, find your support team. It’s hard to support people through their pregnancy, birth and postpartum without being supported yourself. Whether you need family to take care of your kids when you get called to a birth, a reliable babysitter for your prenatal visits or postpartum shifts, a partner who helps to manage times of lower income, a friend to enjoy a cup of tea with or a Doula Canada counterpart to vent and debrief with about hard situations, we all need to build our support team.

Figure out what you’ll need in order to make this a successful venture and then find the people to who will help you do that. Also be sure to add yourself to your support team.

Self-care is vitally important if we are to remain an active member of this birth culture shift. Fill your cup in order to continue filling others. That love and passion for the work, which I think you need to be a truly good and effective doula, is only sustainable if we take care of ourselves.

Samantha is the Provincial Liaison for Doula Canada and the owner of Nesting Owl Doula Services in Newfoundland. She is originally from Nova Scotia, but has been living in Newfoundland for the last 7 years. She had been working as a paramedic for the last 10 years before having her first child this summer. She is passionate about bringing midwifery care to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Categories
Mentorship Uncategorised

Looking to Learn? How Knowing Your Learning Style Can Help You Succeed!

Looking to learn!?
Have you been out of school for a bit?
Well good news!
Knowing your learning style can make things a whole lot easier.

I’ve been immersed in the birth world now for over 6 years now, as an Educator, Doula and Mentor.   I remember working towards my doula and my educator certification and found myself spending countless hours staring at a page of words and not retain a thing.   When I found myself in a classroom I would find I only retained a small percentage of what I was being taught.  I was frustrated.  Here I was, mid thirties…FINALLY knowing what I wanted to do with my life and I was terrified!  Scared of “class work,” worried about failing tests, and not feeling I would able to get the accreditation to further my career.

Before beginning my journey I had been a stay at home mom of three, running a day care and working part time at a restaurant.  I didn’t leave a book smart career to become a doula… I left “mom” mode, meal prep and nursery rhymes…my brain was on overdrive most days!   My own self doubt nearly prevented me from moving forward!

But I’m so glad I did move forward.  Eventually I learned to walk the walk and not just talk the talk!

My recipe for success was having the right support alongside me and taking the time to learn what my learning style was.

Take a look at the learning style graphic above…did any of them grab your attention? How do you find out which one you are? Here’s a good reference:

https://www.thoughtco.com/three-different-learning-styles-3212040

and a bit more about different types: https://www.udutu.com/blog/what-are-adult-learning-styles-and-how-do-they-affect-elearning/

Many of us are a combination.

Let me share some tidbits that worked for me, and can maybe help you on your learning journey as well:

  1. Change up your work space:  Maybe on one day you will work best outside, in the basement, at an office desk, or in a library.  Once I even worked in my trailer while camping!  Key points: recognize that you need to avoid interruptions and it may take awhile to get into your groove.
  2. Doodle and/or listen to instrumental music: I needed to keep my hands busy or stimulate another sense to help me retain info.  Sound familiar?
  3. On that same note: I needed to handwrite my study notes. I got in a bad habit of typing everything on my computer or iPhone – it just wasn’t the same! There may be a a huge mental disconnect when you do that.
  4. Move: Stretch, get fresh air, work at a standing desk, sit on an exercise ball.
  5. Dedicated time and accountability: If I didn’t get work done first thing in morning or late at night, it wasn’t happening – I’m a squirrel – everything in the middle distracted me (hence needing different work spaces from time to time).  Schedule your work as an appointment and stick to it!  Buddy up with someone – there were times I would completely and mentally shut down because I would second guess an answer or project.  I needed a few different people on standby to walk me through something or be my “butt kicker.”  We have lots of buddies at Doula Canada!

So, in my examples above, which learning styles did you connect with?  A little bit of all of them right?!

Take a moment and identify what works for you.  See what learning style you think you might be.  Look back at the times you needed to learn something – what worked, what didn’t?

When you are struggling, buddy up!
You are not alone and simple tweaks to your daily habits can break bad habits and keep you moving closer to your goals!  We are here to help!

Jump into our closed Doula Canada Facebook group or our Learning Centre forums and ask a question, send us an email, call us on our toll free number, and…

Stay tuned for more information on a mentorship opportunity with Doula Canada (details coming in October)!

About the author:

Helena McMann has been a Certified Doula and Educator for over 6 years.
She is currently an an Admin Support Person and Student Mentor for Doula Canada.
To date Helena has supported over 200 families through her work as a doula and educator.
We’re a big fan of Helena and all the wonderful things she does for our community!

 

Categories
Mentorship

Provincial Liaisons your link to Doula Canada

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Canada is a big country. One that we are very proud to serve. As Doula Canada grows we see the importance of connecting with the unique needs of each province as best we can.  We also know that as a organization we can only go so far with our reach.

This is where the Provincial Liaison (PL)  position comes in.

The goal of each PL is to be an ambassador for Doula Canada and a liaison for the perinatal community, seeking and assessing the needs of their province.

Now that they have settled in we wanted to take a moment and introduce you to the current PLs. We are so grateful they are here.

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British Columbia Meet Caylan

What brought you to work with Doula Canada?
I fell in love with Doula Training Canada when I started my training in May 2017.  It is by far the best, most life changing experience I have stepped into.  I want to see doulas become the norm at births, empower women, and make help make birth beautiful; DTC is full of supportive, talented women with the same goals.

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Alberta Meet Laura
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What brought you to work with Doula Canada? 
I am the type of person when I get involved with something it is usually because I am passionate about it. Entering the Doula world I found myself really wanting others to share in my excitement.  When I found the opportunity to share my excitement and experience with Doula Canada with people in my province I jumped on the chance.
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Saskatchewan meet Carma
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What brought you to work with Doula Canada?    Finding my passion for birth after having my first baby has brought me to Doula training Canada. I began to research where I could fit in with my new found love and saw Childbirth Education as a good outlet for me. I love to help anyone and everyone, and now is my chance to take what I learn from birth and turn it into Education for others!

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Manitoba meet Kira

What brought you to work with Doula Canada? 
I have a passion for helping others explore and actualize what a healthy and happy life means for themselves and their family. This includes how they nourish their bodies with food but also with lifestyle practices. After the birth of my son, i realized that how we are birthed and give birth to our family has a greater impact on our health and well-being than many of us realize. This inspired me to add “Doula” to my resume!

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Ontario meet Ashley
What brought you to work with Doula Canada?Because they are an amazing organization! Doula Canada stands with you and grows with you throughout your entire journey and they have built a family that i am proud to be apart of and represent. They have showcased an outstanding support system for the Doulas, CBE and all students under them that I was honoured to be apart of the organization and all that we stand for.

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Nova Scotia Meet Shandelle
What brought you to work at Doula Canada ?

The family like relationships and moral boosting, uplifting conversations happening in the peer group are exactly what I needed.

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New Brunswick meet Manon
What Brought you to Doula Canada? 
​
I am passionate about supporting women in preventative holistic health, which brought me to certifying with Doula Canada. Sharing my passion with my community is so important.

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Newfoundland and Labrador meet Samantha
What brought you to work at Doula Canada?
​
I love the support and sense of family and I wanted to be a part of that ! ​

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Categories
About Us

New Logo… Same Passion!

 You may have noticed a new logo being shared around for Doula Training Canada, or what we have now come to call simply call Doula Canada (nickname, or truth?  We like to think 5 degrees of separation).

We are after all, a Doula nation in the form of an organization.

In summer 2017 we worked with our graphic designer to come up with a series of logo images that we could “plug and play.”

We recognize that Canada is a diverse nation and that each province and territory brings its own flavour of support and its own experience when it comes to perinatal care.  Our new logos seek to represent this, but allowing us the opportunity to change the interior images province by province.

The circle of life represents the base of our new logo.  Our doulas and childbirth educators support Canadians and families worldwide through birth, breath, and death, and as such we felt the circle of life image fit well.  The circles are also a metaphor for the changing of experience we see in our field, and the inability to define the Canadian experience.

Evolving, shifting, moving, but always connected to this great nation.

In our primary logo we chose to initially include a mountain at the top.  We often use the metaphor of mountain climbing in our discussion of labour, birth, and the transition to parenthood.  Thus, we thought it spoke to many lessons.

On a philosophical level the spirit of our country, through history and modern day experience, has been connected to the strength of our land (history PhD geek here).  Whether it be the Rocky Mountains, the Canadian Shield, the Great Plains, or the jagged Atlantic Canada coastline, many Canadians connect with the power of mother nature and our students holistically speak to that daily.  Indigenous culture is rooted in the connection to nature, new Canadians speak to the beauty of our landscapes, and our doulas know the connection we should have to the earth in labour and in finding ourselves after baby.

In 2018 the mountain will be switched out in our new provincial apparel lines, and specific provincial initiatives – perhaps placing a wheat sheaf instead of a mountain, or a lighthouse, flower, or animal emblem as we work with our Doula nation to meet their needs and represent their character.

However as the circles of life continue to turn, we will stand tall like the tallest mountain, stay connected to our communities, and continue to Doula Canada.

Categories
About Us Mentorship

Oh hey there 2018… We have been waiting for you!

 

As the Director of Doula Canada I am beyond excited for what is to come in 2018; and for our great Doula nation!

After all, is there anytime more inspiriting than turning the page on a new calendar and peeking at the 365 blank days ahead?

I think not!

The excitement of those blank pages lies in the knowledge that we will be welcoming new members, graduating new alumni, supporting new families, having deep conversations, and pushing forward with the dream of doula support and education for any family who cares to share in the benefits our field can offer.

Our Doula Canada calendar for the New Year is ambitious; and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

For 2018 our goal is to pair opportunity and ambition with holistic fulfillment.  We plan to do this by offering programs never before offered by a doula training certification and membership organizations, creating new provincial/territorial initiatives to strike up communication and awareness about our field, and finding time for some fun too!

Because…

We love fun at Doula Canada (our 4th pillar, right after compassion, communication, and chill the eff out).

You will soon notice a new website where students will be easily found by potential clients in their respective communities.  We will be launching our online Learning Centre where students can continue to learn through course specific modules, free templates, video, audio, and online discussion forums.  We will be hosting our first ever Annual General Meeting and Team Retreat, making plans for Purely Doula retreats across Canada, and hosting weekly Facebook Lives where you can connect with experts in their fields.

This year we have also partnered with Tynan Rhea to offer her Sex & Birth training – a 8 week online training that is sure to open your eyes to this important topic in new parents live.  Wait, there’s more!  We are also incredibly humbled to be welcoming Barb Matteucci, alumni and now Program Coordinator for our national Infant and Pregnancy Loss training (dates in most provinces for 2018).

Labour, Postpartum, Educator, Loss, Continued Learning…. and more!

For the new year our team will also be announcing non-profit goals we have set as an organization.  A percentage of each registration in any core course after February 1 will be donated back to a provincial/ territorial charity that works to support new families or infants in some capacity.  We are grateful for your support Canada, and now we are choosing to use the opportunities you have granted us to give back.  Keep your eyes open for further details and our first provincial charity announcement (rotated each month to a new province or territory).

So, as we enter a new year across this beautiful terra firm remember that there are 12 new chapters, 365 new chances, 1440 minutes each day, and thousands of Doula Canada members here to help you along the way.

This will be a good year.

Shaunacy
​Director, Doula Canada

Categories
Business

Be YOU in Business. Why Authenticity matters.

 ​Birthwork is personal.
Everyone comes to this work with some level of personal investment. Clients may be drawn to your logo, website or social media but who they hire is you.
Imagine you are following a company on Instagram and Facebook. The images are warm and cozy feeling. The person in the images is wearing relaxed clothing and a big smile. So you set up a meeting. You are excited to connect with the person you see every day online.
When you arrive to meet with this person you walk into an office with modern décor and are greeted by a person in a business suit. How do you feel? Do you stay? Do you continue to want to work with this person?This persons marketing was not representative of who they are. For whatever reason they were trying to be someone else in the marketing of their business.
Finding your voice in this business can be hard. You want to stand out, you want your ideal client to find you. The best and most effective way of finding your market is by showing up. Being vulnerable and honest about who you are.Does this mean baring your soul on social media? Not necessarily. Authenticity is more important than transparency. Clients are not looking for every detail of your life. They are however wanting to meet you, not who you think you should be.So what is authenticity? It means staying true to who YOU are, what YOU do, who YOU serve and, most importantly, why YOU do what you do. To quote Simon Sinek of Start with Why, “It means that the things we say and the things we do are things we actually believe.”
​
Authenticity is the basis of the trust clients develop in your business. A client wants to have some sense that the beliefs and values you express in your business, align with theirs. People are drawn to others who are similar to them in certain ways.  What it means is finding your voice. Finding your people and letting them get to know who you are.

Where do you start?

Confidence (even if you have to fake it till you make it)
This means believing in the power of you. Trusting that what you offer is so much more than the number of births you have attended, clients you have supported or classes you have taught. That who you are is unique, and your clients are excited to meet you.

Connection.
Getting yourself out there matters, but what matters most is relationships. Relationships with clients, caregivers and other professionals are what business is built on. Through relationships all things are possible. Who you are matters in these relationships. Your business depends on your integrity of self.
Find a way to position yourself as the expert in your field. Find where your ideal clients hang out, what groups they are in, where they go to shop and build those relationships. Talk to the business owners, organize speaking events, be visible.

Clients are seeking connection. They want interaction, transparency and relevance. They want to feel special. If a client likes your Facebook page or gives you their email they are saying “hey I like you!”. How can you say that back? How can you connect with them? Maybe that is as simple as shout out on your social media platform or maybe that is a gift with purchase.

Consistency
This is more than just regularly posting on social media. This means that who you are and what images and ideas you are sharing align. All the time.  That your brand is consistent. Being authentic doesn’t mean you have to post every day and rack up 1000 likes. It just requires you to deliver a consistent, compelling identity that gets clients talking.

It also means that if you are changing your marketing materials you need to be transparent as to what is to come. People have a hard time with change. Something as simple as a new haircut that makes you appear different from the headshot shown on your website, can effect a client’s trust in your business.

Collaboration
Going back to speaking to other business owners. We have a saying here at Doula Canada. There is no such thing as competition. WHAT?! Shocking I know. Here is the thing. Competition breeds contempt. Collaboration build business. Your market, your clients are unique to you. Visibility matters. The more birth professionals out there (in a small town or big city) the more clients there are out there looking for service.
Find like-minded individuals and collaborate. Put on a talk, share space, and find ways to build a market through and with each other.  When you collaborate, you build connections. Connections bring clients.

Confidence, connection, consistency & collaboration. All of this to say authenticity matters. It really does. So how will you show up in your business today?

Categories
Labour Doula

I Doula because …

There is something to be said for the passion of a career. That burning desire to jump two feet forward and give it all that you’ve got, without hestitation and compromise.

For a number of years this was my muse. My profession as a career doula has largely been driven by my passion to support others.

I love it… and I have been told that I am good at it (after hundreds of births you hope to have found your doula groove). Thank you for the vote of confidence (talking to you Mom)!

But lately my zany-zest for passionate doulaing has been replaced with a different driver….

Purpose.

In the quiet moments of my day I often ponder…. why do I doula? Is it still passion, or is it something more?

So, here it is, my purpose for why I doula. Perhaps you will connect with some of what I have to share. Perhaps you also ponder why you do this thing you do(ula) . . .

I Doula because . . .
I like to meet other people.

I Doula because . . .
I never wanted a boss, I wanted to command my own ship (it’s a pirate ship – I like to swear).

I Doula because . . .
My daughter. I want to inspire her with the knowledge that you have choices as a strong woman in this world.

I Doula because . . .
I want to fill my life with spontaneity. Thanks birth. You’ve got “randomness” covered.

I Doula because . . .
Postpartum depression is a real thing, and after clearing the fog on my own PPD I realized others may not find the lighthouse.

I Doula so that …
I can be home for my kids when they get off the school bus (most of the time).

I Doula so that . . .
No one has to feel that they have to go through the journey of labour and postpartum transition alone.

I Doula so that . . .
I can save up and skip the yucky winter months by heading to Costa Rica for doula retreats (buh-bye January).

I Doula so that . . .
Our Doula Canada family has another mentor. A person who is hands on and feet forward in the Canadian perinatal world.

There it is. My purpose/s. My driving forces behind being a doula 24/7, 365 days a year. Living this Doula Life.

Passion + Purpose = Potential.

We would love to hear from you! What is your Doula purpose?

Comment below or email info@doulatraining.ca.

Curious about the exciting opportunities available through Doula Canada? Check out www.doulatraining.ca

Categories
Business

Diversification: Do(ulaing) more with your Business

The one thing I discovered when I decided to leave my full time job for doula work was that financially, being a doula is not enough. Being a doula requires being on call for weeks, the ability to respond to a families call at any hour of the day. Birth work is highly variable in nature. You can be at a birth for 4 hours and for 40 hours – making a livable wage as a birth doula can be a big challenge.
Even if we were to fully book our schedules, taking 2-3 births per month, or about 1 birth per 10 to 14 days. When all is said and done, that can amount to little more than a part-time income.  For some that may be exactly what they want, for me I needed to find a way to maximize my income.
In order to do that, I had to be more than just a birth doula. In order to increase the chance of creating income, I diversified. The bottom line: to earn more money, you must offer more products or services.This had offered me many benefits. It allowed me to take on less births, to create more of a structured schedule for myself. It also had me offering products and services that complimented my work as a doula. As a result it brought in more doula business. Clients would come to ask for one service (birth doula) and I had the opportunity to sell them on other products (placenta encapsulation, Childbirth Education Classes, or counselling). It also worked in reverse.Diversifying however is more than just adding services or products to your website and business. It requires the same amount of hard work and hustle it takes become a great doula. Simply adding things to your preexisting business does not guarantee a cash flow. To get business growth through diversification you do not do more of the same; you do something different. You expand in new directions.Before you begin to diversify here are some steps to consider:

​What are your limits? Both financially and the resources available to you.

  • Consider the initial investment and the ongoing investment needed to continue to offer the product or service. For example if you are looking at adding placenta encapsulation to your business you need to look beyond the initial cost of the course but also the added cost of materials needed, promotional material, travel etc.
  • Look at the ongoing people power needed from yourself to maintain this add. Do you have the time? Do you have a reliable backup to cover the other aspects of your business? How will his impact your family/personal life.
  •  Look at all the resources it took to build your practice already. Do you have it in you to do it again?

 

​Find your possibilities:  Finding possibilities isn’t usually the problem; finding the right possibility is. Start where you already are, and think both vertically and horizontally.

  • Vertically. How can you go deeper into what you’re already doing? Or how can you step up to the next level of product or service offering? What is the next “step up” in your doula business?
  • Horizontally. What are your competitors offering that you are not offering? What are the related businesses in your industry? What niche is directly connected to yours? What product or service offers a complementary fit?

​What can I offer you ask? This great video by yourdoulabag.com may help you decide what services would work for you.

Figure out what fits.
Following these steps you should now have a list of what your limits are and what potential possibilities fit with your current offering. You do not have to start from scratch. Diversification means to grow in a new direction; it doesn’t mean fragmentation.
As a final test, compare each option with the company documents you’ve produced. Which ones fit best your vision and your business values? You might not find a perfect fit. That’s okay. There should however be a high degree of correlation to what you already offer.

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Balance growth with maintenance.
New things are exciting and demanding. New growth, new directions, new experiences get the entrepreneur’s heart pumping.  However don’t lose sight of the maintenance and ongoing attention that your current business needs.
A good business doesn’t run on autopilot. Do not trust yourself to automatically remember all the duties and checks you should be performing set up systems. Draw up a list, get things on your calendar, whatever you need to do so that you’re not neglecting the old for the sake of the new.

Good Growth Is Strong Growth
Diversifying can take your business into new territory, build a bigger reach, and increase your long-term profits—if you do it right. Take your time.  Don’t rush into anything until you’ve done your due diligence and know that the new endeavor is indeed the best one for you and your business.

Whether you choose to diversify or not, balance and hustle are key to moving forward in your birth business. Do your research. Find what works. Look for collaborations in your community and fly !

 Sondra is a counsellor, Doula Canada Instructor, mother and Doula.
 Interested in learning more about Doula Canada? Check us out at www.doulatraining.ca