Planning For Your Doula Business Dreams To Come True!
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Transcript
Welcome to Dula Tips and Tits, the podcast where we cut through the noise and get real about what it takes to build a sustainable doula business. I'm Kaylee Harrod. I've been a doula informally for 14 years and full time for seven.
Around here, we don't sugarcoat stuff. We talk autonomy, owning your worth, creating a business that works for you. No fluff, no burnout, just the honest truth on how to be your own best boss. Let's get into today's episode.
Hello and welcome back to Dula Tips and Tits. If you have not yet grabbed your seat in the 90-day doula business plan master class that's coming up on May 13th, 1 p.m. Eastern, it is a free master class.
Please pause the episode right now, pull up those show notes and grab your spot. Now today we're talking about the doula business reset. What do you do when things aren't working? Now, I think I actually I'm going to draw on a personal example.
So my husband and I have been doing marriage counseling for a year and a half ish now. And our counselor has gotten us through a lot and recently we found out that he is going to retire, which we are so excited for him about.
But that's hard for us to learn, right? And honestly, our marriage is in a beautiful, wonderful, amazing place. And I think it would be really devastating to have had that happen when things were not as good, right?
When we were really feeling the need for counseling more than we are now. But one of the things he asked us is I want you to think about a five-year vision and a 10-year vision and we were both like, you know, sharing some things that we're thinking like how old our kids will be and what do we think we want to be doing and what will our work look like?
like and then he stopped us and said, in your five-year vision and your ten-year vision, are you together? And we both were kind of like, yeah. But like in the moment, and he kept going, he said, you know, I just want to acknowledge that you both kind of took that as a given, like, of course we are, you know, when many months ago, that maybe wouldn't be the case.
Like you maybe would have heard, maybe would have thought about a five and ten-year vision and thought, or wondered at least, who is in that vision, right? Like, is it me, solo parenting my kiddos, is it us together, like how are things, where are we, you know?
And he was like, the fact that you're sharing this like beautiful plan and vision for five years and ten years, and automatically including each other in that plan, is a sign of your growth. right, a sign of where your marriage is right now, like the healthy place that it's in.
And I think about that. And I think like there are some givens in our five and 10 year visions, right? Like, I mean, of course, our vision includes like our kids are doing amazing, right? Like they're like thriving at high school and college, right?
We're like traveling to places around the world. I mean, it's like, we don't usually have a five year vision. That's like, probably our country will be in dire States, you know, like that's not, I mean, that might be the reality, but that's not really how we envision things in our life, right?
We think of how great it will be, how wonderful, how big, how good. And then oftentimes we are just like, gosh, I hope that happens. And I know, I know I taught, I've been talking about this, right? Like if you have been hanging around for the last couple of weeks, we have had a number of episodes talking about like envisioning things, talking about the strategy that's there.
But I think I specifically want to come at it from the angle of overwhelm today and resetting things, because I think what can sometimes happen is we can be so stuck where we are, that it's impossible for us to see what it could be, right?
And I think about this, like, okay, so there's a real that goes around, my algorithm is incredibly strong, it knows that I love this video, so it comes to me pretty frequently. And lots of people have seen it, it's a kid like totally freaking out, holding on for dear life to this rope.
He's over a river or a creek or something. And it looks like he's just like going to float away if he doesn't, if he lets go of that rope, right? and his mom comes over, or well, a person comes over, I don't know that it's his mom, I guess, and just like gently puts his feet on the ground and the water is like to his knees, right?
Like it's so shallow. And they're just like, hey, look, you can just like put your feet down. And I think about that sometimes because I'm like, that kid, like it's easy to look at that and kind of laugh from this perspective, but honestly, that kid is terrified, right?
Like that kid is like, I might die. Like my life depends on hanging on for dear life to this rope. And then someone's like, hey, the ground is right here. Like it's okay, you can let go of that rope.
And you can even like walk around in the water if you want, right? Like it's okay, it's safe to like be present here, you know? And when I think about business stuff, especially for doulas, because we tend to be more...
birth savvy than we are business savvy, right? And so when I think about business stuff getting overwhelming, that's kind of the image that comes to mind, right? Like where people are like, this is how I know how to do it.
And if I let go of this rope, I'm going to die. You know, and I know that's dramatic, but like that's sometimes how it feels, right? Where it's like, I have this like system. This is the package I've always had.
This is the price I've always charged. These are the kind of people I've always worked with. And like, I don't want this to stay like this, right? Like this doesn't feel sustainable to me either, right?
Like imagine hanging on for dear life to a rope and then you just stay there forever. I mean, that's also not, you know, like at some point someone has to rescue you or like show you to put your feet down or you're going to let go and whatever happens to you happen, you know, like there, it's also not a sustainable place to be, right?
And so when we think about overwhelm in our businesses, I think it can keep us from being able to look around, you know, and really be like, oh, Hey, oh, Hey, there's like, I can like walk around a little, right?
Like there, there's like other stuff to look at, you know, like I can, I can explore a little bit. I can imagine a little. And the reality is that this change in my business, like one change, two changes, three changes is probably not going to derail the whole thing.
You know, I think sometimes about, about how birth is so similar to business, right? And I love that for us because we do love birth usually when we're doulas. And so I think about when I have a client who's in transition and they're in a position that they hate, but they don't want to move.
Right. And I'm sure most birth doulas have had this scenario that like, like your client's in a particular position in labor. They're in transition, so they're just like back to back to back, you know.
And I think of this one particular client because she had a pretty like fast and furious labor, and she was on her knees on the floor in a hospital. So her knees were hurting her. And she was saying to me, my knees hurt.
And I was like, I know, let's get you up on the bed. Like, let's just help you kneel on the bed. And she was like, I can't move. And I was like, we can help you, you know, like let's get you up there.
And she was like, but it's gonna feel bad. And I was like, but it feels bad now, right? Like, doesn't this position also feel bad? And I know, I mean, I said it with a different kind of compassion in the throws of her contractions, but I also was like, oh, this is a clear sign that we're close to the end.
But I had that context and she didn't, right? So I was saying to her like, your body is showing us that you're getting close to the end of this process. Like you're doing amazing and I want you to hold on because you're not that far from the end, right?
And then eventually she did decide to get up on the bed and I'm pretty sure it was the student midwife who convinced her who was like, your feet are going to go numb. Like I actually, that midwife is my like midwife now.
And so I think about that and laugh sometimes because she's like, let's just be practical. Like you're not going to have any feeling in your knees and legs if you stay down here. We're going to need to move you up to the bed, you know?
And then of course, as we all knew, her body did function. Like we could help her get up there. It wasn't all that much work to get up there, but it felt like the end of the world to move from that position, even though that position was not good, you know?
And I think in business, we sometimes are like, this is the only way I've ever done it and I can't do it any other way. Even while we say the way I'm doing it doesn't work, right? Or the way I'm doing it is overwhelming and I need to do it a different way, but I actually don't know what that looks like.
And so it's scary, right? Like if someone can come and put your feet on the ground, if someone can come and help you stand up and put your knees on the bed, then you're like, oh, okay, it was okay. And part of what makes that okay is the other person knows for a fact that it's okay, you know?
So that parent or that person coming over to that little kid who's holding onto that rope, feeling like he's going to lose his life in that river, they are not worried, right? They're like, hey buddy, put your feet down.
Like they're not coming. They're not like, oh my gosh, someone rescue him like they're like, oh bud Put your feet down you could stand up like it's okay. You're okay, you know So there's a confidence in that person who's coming to say like, you know what?
I know it feels like you can't move but you can I believe you can and I want to help you get into a position That's gonna feel better for you. Like it's still the same position You like being on your hands and knees, but it's gonna be better to do it on the bed, right?
And and with the confidence that they know for a fact, it will feel better in your body, you know And in business, sometimes that does look like someone else saying hey You need to do less work than this and it's still gonna work Well, you know like you don't need to see your client four times before you they go into labor and you're still gonna be a good doula you're still gonna show up really well for your clients,
but it's gonna be so much more sustainable for you to not see them four times, you know? And some of that matters the context of where you live and how far away your clients are. And, you know, what I am not saying, what I never will say is that we all need to have the same kind of way to do things, you know, and have the same packages and blah, blah, blah.
But what I am saying is sometimes, most of the time, I would say, there are pieces of our business that we are making harder for ourselves that we don't realize someone else could literally come up and be like, hey, just put your feet down.
Like, just stand up. It's okay. You got this, right? Like, this river is not gonna kill you, my friend, right? And that, I think, is where doulas have got to let someone doula them in their business, right?
Like, they've got to let, we've got to let someone else come alongside us and be like, hey, you are right. You can do this. And this is how we're gonna look at this. This is how we're gonna start getting you set up.
This is how, these are the systems that you're gonna use, right? Like, someone coming alongside you and literally doulaying you through your business stuff. Okay, so I'm gonna wrap that up now because I don't wanna get on and on and on and get this long frickin' episode because I don't like long episodes.
I want to invite you one more time to sign up for the 90-day doula business plan, masterclass, coming up on May 13th, 1 p.m. Eastern. Please grab the link in the show notes to sign up and come live if you can because it will be recorded but the Q&A time will be live only.
And I think the Q&A time is magical for you because you get to actually ask questions about how to apply this to your actual business. So go grab that link, sign up if you have not done so already. And I cannot wait to hang out with you next week.
And the next episode is going to be after that masterclass. So today is the day to sign up, my friend. We do have a Q&A episode coming next week as well. And so if you want to submit a question, that link is still in the show notes too.
All right. I will see you next week in the next episode. Thanks for joining us for this episode of the Dula Tips and Tits podcast. If you learned something today or had an aha moment, we'd love for you to share that on Instagram and tag us at hiradula so we can celebrate alongside you.
If you found this podcast helpful, we would so appreciate you taking a second to leave a rating and a review on your favorite podcast app. That helps other doulas find us as we do this work together.
This podcast is intended as educational and entertainment. It is not medical advice or business advice. Please consult your own medical or legal team for your own needs around your health and your business.
We'll see you again soon.
Grab your seat in the 90 day Doula Business Plan Masterclass!!! May 13th 1-2:30pm Eastern. Click below to sign up
https://harroddoulaservices.thrivecart.com/your-90-day-doula-business-plan-pod/
Dreams need planning to become reality. I am for a good manifestation, believe me, but I think too often in business we dream and hope without mapping out the journey and taking strategic steps toward fulfilling those dreams and hopes!
Quote from the show:
“One of the things [our marriage counselor] asked us is I want you to think about a five-year vision and a 10-year vision and we were both like, you know, sharing some things that we're thinking like how old our kids will be and what do we think we want to be doing and what will our work look like? like and then he stopped us and said, in your five-year vision and your ten-year vision, are you together? And we both were kind of like, yeah. But like in the moment, and he kept going, he said, you know, I just want to acknowledge that you both kind of took that as a given, like, of course we are, you know, when many months ago, that maybe wouldn't be the case. Like you maybe would have heard, maybe would have thought about a five and ten-year vision and thought, or wondered at least, who is in that vision, right? Like, is it me, solo parenting my kiddos, is it us together, like how are things, where are we, you know? When we dream, We think of how great it will be, how wonderful, how big, how good. And then oftentimes we are just like, gosh, I hope that happens. And I know, I know I taught, I've been talking about this, right? Like if you have been hanging around for the last couple of weeks, we have had a number of episodes talking about like envisioning things, talking about the strategy that's there. ”
ASK A QUESTION!!! My plan is to start Friday Q&A (we need a new name, I know!) but first I need your questions! Submit them using the form below:
https://www.harroddoulaservices.com/ask-me-a-question
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https://www.tiktok.com/@doulacoach
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Doula Tips and Tits is produced by Kaely Harrod of Harrod Doula Services
It is sponsored by The Doula Biz Blueprint Self-Paced Class for Doulas Launching Successful and Sustainable Businesses!
Music by Madirfan: Hidden Place on Pixabay
