Podcast Summary: The Doula Darcy Podcast

Episode: Do These 3 Things to Make More Money in 2026
Host: Darcy Sauers
Date: December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this actionable and uplifting episode, Darcy Sauers—doula, marketing expert, and business coach—shares her annual end-of-year process for boosting income and building a more successful, grateful doula business for the year ahead. Darcy outlines three practical, often overlooked strategies that any doula can implement to start 2026 stronger, focusing on mindset, simple systems, and authentic relationship-building. Drawing from her own business and life experience, Darcy delivers her advice in a relatable, friendly tone with a dose of humor and heartfelt motivation.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tap Into Gratitude: Acknowledge This Year's Wins

Timestamp: [01:00-06:00]

• Darcy encourages listeners to review the year, focusing on both personal and business achievements.
• Suggests scrolling back through phone photos from January 1 onward, month by month, to recall and list memorable events, wins, or special moments.
  • “Make a list of awesome personal things that you did, trips you took, people you saw, dinners out with friends... Go month by month if you want.” [02:30]
• Stresses that not all wins are about revenue or business numbers; reconnecting with loved ones, taking trips, or team celebrations are all part of a successful year.
  • “Sometimes the best thing you can do in a year is reconnect with an old friend from high school or take an amazing trip with your family. So those things count.” [04:40]
• These gratitude exercises improve mindset and lay a foundation for renewed motivation and focus for 2026.

2. Raise Your Rates for 2026

Timestamp: [06:30-09:30]

• Darcy’s top actionable money strategy is to increase your rates—for everyone.
• Questions when listeners last raised their fees; urges a yearly review, at minimum.
  • “If it’s been more than six months, raise them again. Just be like ‘the Doula Darcy said it… the Doula Darcy told me to raise my rates’ because you should give yourself a raise every year.” [07:10]
• Compares with how all businesses (from essential services to tech subscriptions) raise their prices regularly.
  • “All my little softwares that I use in my business are going up incrementally in 2026. So guess what? That means we need to raise our rates too.” [08:00]
• Suggests announcing the coming rate increase on social media as a way to encourage last-minute bookings at current rates—if desired.

3. Track Your Mileage for Tax Savings

Timestamp: [09:35-13:00]

• Darcy insists on tracking every business-related mile, as it adds up to substantial tax deductions.
• Recommends mapping out trips via year-in-review photos to check for unlogged client visits, events, or errands.
  • “Did I log, you know, each trip to the airport, if I had lunch with a bunch of doulas, did I log the mileage to get to that restaurant?” [10:00]
• Stresses this is “free money” and worth a couple of hours of admin time in December.
• Offers practical options: either low-cost mileage apps (MileIQ, etc.) or keeping a simple spreadsheet.
  • “I kept track of my mileage for the first, probably, I don’t know, eight years of my business just on a spreadsheet…” [11:25]
• Especially valuable for postpartum doulas who drive often.
• “It lowers the income amount that you need to pay taxes for. So this can really save you tons of money on your taxes.” [11:00]

4. Express Gratitude to Clients and Referral Sources

Timestamp: [13:10-16:00]

• Strategic gratitude—sending small gifts, thank-you notes, or emails to top clients and referrers—can generate future business.
• Encourages listeners to identify top clients (by engagement or spend) and send a gift, card, or thank you, with a gentle review request if they haven't given one.
  • “Send a gift, say thank you, and if they haven’t left you a review yet, ask them to leave you a review, remind them to recommend you to all their friends.” [13:30]
• Recommends tracking referral sources (eg. “How did you hear about me?” on intake forms) and sending appreciation to those who refer often (other doulas, doctors, clients).
  • “When people are saying it was Dr. Miller or Jane Smith, you need to, whether it’s throughout the year or in December, send them all a handwritten thank you note.” [14:40]
• Suggests thank-you lunches, small gift cards (e.g., Starbucks), or even covering a meal as tokens of appreciation.
• Reaching out makes you memorable and can spark new referrals.

5. Mindset and Abundance

Timestamp: [15:00-16:15]

• Darcy ties it all together: expressing authentic gratitude and generosity not only strengthens relationships but also attracts new opportunities.
  • “The more grateful you are for that and the more you express that gratitude, just not only to yourself, but the people in your community…the more abundance flows to you. It sounds woo woo, but it’s true.” [15:50]
• Reminds listeners of the meaningful work they’re doing, encouraging heart-centered reflection as a path to both fulfillment and business growth.

Notable Quotes

• On celebrating all types of achievements:
  “Your business and your life are all entwined together. It’s all the same thing. So a win in your personal life is a win in your business, and vice versa.” [04:20]
• On rate increases:
  “You should give yourself a raise every year. Every other business raises their rates every year…that means we need to raise our rates too.” [07:15]
• On tracking expenses:
  “It is so worth your time to spend a couple hours on this in December to make sure you have every single mile that you drove as it relates to your doula business…because the IRS gives you whatever, 66 cents a mile…that adds up to a lot of money.” [10:33]
• On gratitude and business growth:
  “All these people that you reach out to with gratitude…that makes them want to refer you more. It solidifies your relationship with them and can turn into even more referrals for your business in the coming year.” [15:00]
• On the doula profession:
  “You’re not sitting in a cubicle being an accountant. You’re changing lives, you’re witnessing births, you’re helping parents in those first weeks when it’s so, so scary and vulnerable for them. I mean, this is important work and you get to do it.” [15:30]

Key Takeaways

• Reflect with gratitude: Review your year by looking through photos and journaling wins, both personal and professional.
• Increase your rates: Review your pricing annually (or more often), communicate changes clearly, and do not be afraid to value your work.
• Track all mileage: Accurately logging every business-related mile can yield major tax deductions, especially for regularly traveling doulas.
• Express thanks: Sending personalized gifts or notes to clients and referral partners not only feels good but also actively spurs more referrals and reviews.
• Let gratitude lead: A grateful, heart-centered approach to client and community relationships attracts more abundance and satisfaction.

This episode is highly practical, candid, and encouraging—perfect for any doula ready to close out the year on a positive note and set up for an even better 2026.