The Doula Business Guide
Virtual Book Group—Join Us!
With Author/Doula Trainer Patty Brennan
At the beginning of your doula journey, it can feel pretty lonely and daunting. You likely have lots of questions and are in need of guidance. Our interactive structured format provides the missing piece, creating a bridge after completion of doula training to launching your business.
Format for the Virtual Book Group
Requirements
2025 Schedule
Live sessions on Zoom will meet every other Sunday, from 2–4pm EST, beginning January 19 through March 30, 2025.
This program can also be self-paced, in all or part. It's up to you!
We plan to offer the book group at least once more in 2025. Stay tuned ...
Fees
Book Group Registration (includes book)
$247 (full price) or
3 monthly payments of $90 each
Book Group Registration (without book)
$197 (full price) or
2 monthly payments of $110 each
Bonus!
You will be provided with access to select implementation tools and exercises from The Doula Business Guide Workbook, 4th Edition for ongoing support after our meetings have completed.
Registration & Frequently Asked Questions
Please note there are no refunds for the Book Group.
Topics Covered
Group Facilitator
My story as a doula business owner
I have been self-employed my entire adult life. It turns out, I don’t do bosses very well. After my first son was born, it didn’t make sense to return to a low-paying job and pay someone else to care for my baby when I wanted nothing more than to take care of him. I began a small service-oriented business, typing student term papers, resumes, and dissertations for folks in the college town where I live. This was in the pre-computer era. Over the next few years, as my son grew and a second son was born, personal computers came on the scene. Embracing the change, I acquired new skills and grew the business to comprise 50 percent of our family income.
In the meantime, I found my passion in doula work. When I was ready to go all in, quit the desktop publishing business and take the leap, my business skills were an easy transfer and served me well. Meanwhile, I was surrounded by other birth workers who claimed they weren’t getting paid. They loved the work itself but couldn’t make a living at it. I didn’t understand this—in my mind it wasn’t an option to not get paid. But I had developed a set of skills they didn’t have: knowing how to present myself as a professional, how to structure my business, communicate clearly with clients regarding their needs and mine (fees and terms of payment), set boundaries, when to say “no,” and so much more.
Over the years, my business evolved, undergoing many changes and new directions. The addition of end-of-life doula work followed closely on the deaths of two sets of parents over a short period of time and the accompanying realization that my basic doula skill set was a perfect fit for both ends of the lifespan.
The truth is my business never stops evolving. There have been many challenges, new skills to be acquired, times of frustration and fatigue, and, ultimately, success. I work both “in” my business and “on” my business—as all small business owners must—and I persist. Now, I take great joy in helping others do the same!
