Doula Businesses Evolve (Leap Year Newsletter)

Doula Businesses Evolve (= to develop slowly, over time)

What are the three main reasons we procrastinate?

1. Laziness
2. Fear of failure
3. Perfectionism

Do you identify with any of these? Perfectionism is my home turf so I will speak to that. I have learned through necessity and experience to let go of perfectionistic thinking. The impulse is so strong in me that I can’t really stop being a perfectionist. I have learned, however, that by labeling my constant striving for what it is, I can create enough mental distance between the tendency and the need for results to take imperfect action. Anything else is illusion because perfection cannot be achieved.

If you too tend to be perfectionistic, see if you can add these words to your vocabulary: “It’s good enough.” Accepting the less-than-perfect as satisfactory will allow you to progress more efficiently through the steps in setting up your business. New doulas, especially those who are new to the world of self-employment, need to learn to think like an entrepreneur. Endless deliberation will not get you to the goal post.

Fact: All doula businesses change over time. It is important to keep in mind that there is no one right way to engage in doula work. If a chosen business model isn’t serving you well, you can change it (but in the meantime, you are serving clients, making money, and learning what works and what doesn’t work). All business owners find they must adapt to meet a variety of challenges and circumstances over time. Your business will evolve. You will figure it out as you go. The important thing is to START. Take those first steps and jump in the deep end! Your future clients will thank you for it.

We have the perfect tools to help you do just that: The Doula Business Guide and The Doula Business Guide Workbook. Prefer a training that walks you through the steps? Try our Doula Business Guide Online Training.

News & Resources for End-of-Life Doulas

Financial exploitation of older adults is a growing problem with more people aging into increased susceptibility. Older Adult Nest Egg helps family caregivers assess financial decision making and determine vulnerabilities. It provides training, tools, and resources for professionals, caregivers, and older adults to identify those at-risk.

A growing number of states are considering legislation that allows medically assisted death this year. See a map of states where medically assisted dying is legal or being considered. 

Court Victory! Thankfully, California can no longer require end-of-life doulas to obtain costly funeral director licenses. “These regulations only served one purpose, and that was preventing alternatives to traditional funerals from succeeding in the market. But now, Californians are free to choose the end-of-life care that best suits them.” Read the article.

Events & Information for Birth & Postpartum Doulas

Author Amy Wright Glenn is offering a 50% off coupon on her 15-hour self-paced Holding  Space for Pregnancy Loss training. Happy to offer up a coupon for our community to purchase it at 50% off. Coupon Code = 50off
 
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor is hosting an Open House & Networking Event on Saturday March 23, from 2-5pm. Perinatal professionals are invited for an afternoon of networking and sharing. Drop in any time and feel free to bring flyers or materials about your services to share with others. Please complete this short Info Form, which also includes an optional RSVP for the event.

The Women Having Babies Underground. The legal landscape for home births varies by state, leaving some moms outside the law. The number of home births in the U.S. jumped nearly 20% from 2019 to 2020, according to Pew Research Center analysis of National Center for Health Statistics data. That statistic is far from a pandemic fluke. Midwives across the country say their busy schedules are evidence that women are returning to home birth.

2024 Members Only Webinars

March 20 (Wednesday 8-9pm EST)
HOW TO NETWORK: TOP TIPS FOR END-OF-LIFE DOULAS
With Kelly Collins, CEOLD

This webinar addresses why professional networking often gets a bad rap and reframes the activity by bringing it back to its roots and true, authentic purpose—connecting with people. Attendees will walk away with a fresh perspective on networking, understand the importance and critical need to do it, and learn the skills to do so successfully and with ease.

Kelly Collins is a Certified End-of-Life Doula and Owner of Soul Bridge Partners, offering concierge care for seniors and those at the end of life.

Become a Member and take advantage of our member discount and these great opportunities for continuing education and connection with other doulas. See our list of 24 archived webinars—all available to you once you join.

About that networking … Are you looking to connect?

Here are some suggestions for forming the connections required to be successful as a doula.

• Become a Member of Lifespan Doulas and join us for our bi-monthly continuing education webinars; it’s a great opportunity to connect with others and stay current.
• Check out our Doula Directory to identify other doulas in your area. (Other doula training organizations also have directories, so if you don’t have luck here, check with some of the other groups.)
• Doula Connection is serves as a hub for doulas to connect with one another worldwide by listing local and regional networking groups. Please help us to continue to grow the information on this page by sending links to your local/regional groups, including Facebook groups, to patty@lifespandoulas.com.
• Facebook is a great tool for connecting with other doulas. There are a wide variety of niche groups. Look for your local doula communities as well as groups on topics of special interest to you. Check out our EOL Doula group and our Birth/Postpartum Doula group.
• EOLDs can join the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance and get listed in their Directory. You can also use the Directory to identify doulas in your area and reach out to connect.

Do you have questions about becoming a Doula?

We have answers! Join us on for a FREE Webinar on the role of the doula, services offered, income potential, doula lifestyle, training considerations, professional certification, and more! Register now for the webinar of your choice:

• Top 5 Questions about Becoming a Birth or Postpartum Doula on April 9 (Tuesday, 7:30-8:30pm EST )
• Top 5 Questions about Becoming an End-of-Life Doula on March 12 (Tuesday, 7:30-8:30pm EDT)

OR watch a recording of last month’s webinar and have a private conversation with Patty Brennan regarding any questions that weren’t answered (734-663-1523).