Doula Sisterhood: Live from the Maine Doula Retreat

Summary

The Doula Darcy Podcast: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Doula Sisterhood: Live from the Maine Doula Retreat
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Host: Darcy Sauers, Business Coach for Doulas

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1. Introduction to the Maine Doula Retreat

In this special live episode, Darcy Sauers hosts five fellow doulas at the Maine Doula Retreat, creating an intimate setting to discuss their experiences and the profound impact of their time together. The retreat takes place in a beautiful mansion in York, Maine, overlooking the ocean, providing a serene backdrop for deep conversations and connection.

2. Participant Introductions

Darcy introduces the gathering by inviting each doula to share a bit about themselves and their work:

• Molly Doula (01:29): Provides birth and postpartum doula services in Atlanta.
• Stacy (01:40): Offers postpartum services with Southern Rhode Island Doula in Rhode Island.
• Tammy Sweater (01:48): Runs Rooted in Nurture, supporting postpartum families in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
• Christine (01:57): Works as a birth and bereavement doula in Palmer, Alaska.
• Chelsea Burism (02:04): Delivers birth and postpartum doula services in Manistee County, Michigan.

3. Building Community and Sisterhood

Darcy emphasizes the value of in-person connections compared to virtual interactions:

“There is nothing like holing up together in a house for three days.” (02:20) – Darcy

Stacy highlights the ease of getting to know each other in person:

“It's much easier to get to know each other in person in our comfy clothes, in a beautiful location.” (03:03) – Stacy

Tammy echoes the sentiment, appreciating the immediate sense of sisterhood among the doulas:

“We all got here and I felt like I already knew everyone.” (05:20) – Tammy

4. Enhanced Collaboration and Business Growth

The retreat serves as a fertile ground for discussing business strategies and collaborating on various aspects of doula work. Topics range from setting up doula match profiles to handling liability insurance. Christine notes the value of being around like-minded professionals:

“It's amazing to sit in this room of people who are personifying, like, who I want to be when I grow up.” (03:59) – Christine

Molly shares the productivity boost from the retreat:

“The amount of work I've gotten done in two days is more movement as a newer doula than I've had in six months.” (05:40) – Molly

5. Emotional Support and Personal Growth

The retreat provides a safe space for emotional healing and personal development. Christine describes the positive and encouraging environment:

“Everything is. Everyone is so encouraging and helpful.” (03:30) – Christine

Chelsea expresses the ability to let her guard down, contrasting it with her experiences during virtual office hours:

“Here I've just been able to let go.” (08:30) – Chelsea

Darcy reflects on the transformative nature of the retreat, highlighting the deep emotional connections formed:

“This week here, together with you all in Maine has, like, just. I don't know the words.” (18:19) – Darcy

6. Intentional Time Usage and Planning

Participants discuss the importance of being intentional with their time post-retreat. Christine shares her resolve to prioritize her efforts:

“In order to achieve my dreams, I have to be intentional about my time.” (14:10) – Christine

Stacy plans to maintain the momentum gained from the retreat:

“I made myself a list of things that I need to work on my business now. And I'm gonna make the time for it when I get back.” (14:45) – Stacy

7. Valuing Services and Raising Rates

A significant theme of the retreat is understanding the value of one’s services. Christine recounts her experience of reevaluating her business plans:

“I just figured out my why. And it's not a very good one. So let's table that idea.” (10:22) – Christine

Molly emphasizes the importance of charging what one is worth:

“You can live and you're worth the services that you're providing.” (19:10) – Molly

Tammy shares her success in raising her rates, inspired by the retreat:

“That's what pushed me to raise my rates.” (19:02) – Tammy

8. The Power of Doula Village

Darcy highlights the broader community of doulas beyond those present at the retreat. Molly describes the transformative impact of Doula Village on her transition from nannying to entrepreneurship:

“Having my doula village on my side and with me has completely transformed my business.” (16:34) – Molly

Stacy shares her success story, attributing her first-year achievements to Doula Village:

“I just wrapped up my first year in business. I left my 9 to 5 job last September to pursue doula work full time... I surpassed my income from my nursing job, and I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't here.” (20:14) – Tammy

Darcy underscores the importance of continuous support through Doula Village:

“I created my Doula Village because I needed it and like to have all these amazing doulas from all over the world come in.” (22:52) – Darcy

9. Encouragement to Join Doula Village

As the retreat concludes, participants passionately encourage others to join Doula Village, sharing their personal testimonies of growth, support, and success:

“If you're on the fence about joining my doula village, this is the most, like, loving Accepting group of women that you can find on the Internet.” (19:43) – Christine

“If you were not in my doula village, I would never have been fully booked. Year one of my doula business. Most people say it's unheard of to be fully booked in your first year. And I surpassed my income from my nursing job, and I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't here.” (20:14) – Tammy

Darcy concludes by inviting listeners to join the community:

“If you're listening and want to join my Doula Village, do it, do it now. Go to douladarcy.com, find the My Doula Village tab and join us.” (23:59) – Darcy

10. Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with heartfelt thanks and reflections on the retreat's impact. The doulas express deep appreciation for the support, friendship, and professional growth experienced during their time together. Darcy emphasizes the lasting relationships formed and the ongoing support available through Doula Village.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “There's nothing like holing up together in a house for three days.” — Darcy (02:20)
• “It's amazing to sit in this room of people who are personifying, like, who I want to be when I grow up.” — Christine (03:59)
• “The amount of work I've gotten done in two days is more movement as a newer doula than I've had in six months.” — Molly (05:40)
• “This week here, together with you all in Maine has, like, just. I don't know the words.” — Darcy (18:19)
• “You can live and you're worth the services that you're providing.” — Molly (19:10)
• “I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't here.” — Tammy (20:14)
• “If you're listening and want to join my Doula Village, do it, do it now. Go to douladarcy.com, find the My Doula Village tab and join us.” — Darcy (23:59)

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Conclusion

This episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast offers an inspiring glimpse into the Maine Doula Retreat, highlighting the essential role of community, support, and intentional growth in building a successful doula business. Through heartfelt conversations and shared experiences, Darcy and her fellow doulas demonstrate the transformative power of sisterhood and the invaluable support system provided by Doula Village.

Whether you’re a seasoned doula or just starting out, this episode underscores the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive peers and investing in your personal and professional development. To join the Doula Village and connect with a community of like-minded doulas, visit douladarcy.com and explore the "My Doula Village" section.

Transcript

[Darcy]

Welcome to the Doula Darcy podcast. I'm your host, Darcy, a business coach for doulas. And I love helping my fellow doulas master the art of marketing so that they can grow their businesses and help more families. On the podcast, I combine my decade of experience in Advertising with 14 years as a doula to empower other doulas with the marketing strategies and mindset shift they need to attract more clients and create successful, fulfilling doula careers. Whether you're just starting out as a doula or you're looking to take your doula business to the next level, you're in the right place. Let's go. Hello, everybody, and welcome to a very special episode of the Doula Darcy podcast. Because I am here with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 doulas from my doula village, live from our main doula ret. And we have had so much fun. This has been so special. And I just got the idea, like, we need to do a podcast about how much fun we're having, basically, and what it's like. Let's just talk about what it's like to be a doula on the main doula retreat. So let's go around and tell us who you are you from, and what kind of doula work that you do. And I'm looking at you, Molly, to kick us off.

[Molly]

All right. I am Molly. I am the Molly Doula, and I do birth and postpartum doula services in the Atlanta area.

[Stacy]

Hi, I'm Stacy and I do postpartum services for my company, Southern Rhode Island Doula in Rhode Island.

[Tammy]

Hi, I'm Tammy Sweater. I own Rooted in nurture postpartum doula. I do postpartum partum doula support work in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area.

[Christine]

So I'm Christine. I'm a birth and bereavement doula and sometimes reluctant postpartum doula in Palmer, Alaska.

[Chelsea]

Hi, I'm Chelsea Burism. I'm the Manistee Doula, and I'm a birth and postpartum doula in Manistee County, Michigan.

[Darcy]

I love it. So we have doulas from all over the country. Christine, you win the prize for coming the farthest from Alaska.

[Christine]

Yeah, usually do.

[Darcy]

And so we are here in Maine, York, Maine, for three days. We've rented this big, gorgeous mansion. We're literally on the cliffs on the rocks, looking at the ocean the whole time. And I love to do this because in my doula village, we hang out in office hours twice a month at least. And we hang out in the Facebook group and Everybody gets to know each other, but there is nothing like holing up together in a house for three days.

[Tammy]

Absolutely.

[Christine]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Darcy]

As someone said back in May at the May retreat. Or maybe actually it was you, Stacy. You were like, this is, like, office hours. But we're in person.

[Stacy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

And we don't have to sign off.

[Stacy]

That's the best part.

[Christine]

Let's just continue.

[Stacy]

And it's so much easier to get to know each other in person in our comfy clothes, in a beautiful location.

[Christine]

And a glass of wine.

[Stacy]

Yeah.

[Tammy]

Or two.

[Stacy]

Good food served up to us. Or around the fire at night and.

[Darcy]

A beautiful ocean view.

[Tammy]

Can't beat it.

[Darcy]

And what has it been like to have the chance to spend three days with a bunch of doulas? What has that experience been like for you?

[Christine]

There's been, like, 100%, like, positivity spoken into my life. Like, everything is. Everyone is so encouraging and helpful. And the minute I try to say something, some kind of downer about myself, I get a little tiny bit, like, yelled at. But it's glorious.

[Darcy]

Like, loving yell.

[Christine]

It's a loving. It's a doula yell, like, as much as doulas ever yell. But, no, it's amazing to sit in this, like, room of people who are personifying, like, who I want to be when I grow up.

[Stacy]

Exactly.

[Christine]

You have to surround yourself with people who are doing the good that you want to do so that you can, like, that's the level you want to be at. So you got to be in that room. And that's what this is, physically being in the room.

[Darcy]

I've loved hearing all the conversations that you guys are having. Everything from what do you think about having a doula match profile? To how do you guys handle liability insurance? To don't you hate it when you get amniotic fluid in your mouth? The conversations that we have for the note.

[Christine]

Yes. That's an uncomfortable situation.

[Darcy]

I think it's really special to spend time with other doulas. We have weird jobs. We have weird lives. And it's nice to be surrounded by people that just get that.

[Christine]

Part of the theme of this couple last couple days. Also feels people who can't find this locally, like the local doula groups or other places that we've reached out. Doulas can either be, like, the most amazing people in the world or they're, like, clicky and cranky and a little bit crazy. And all the really good ones join my doula village. And so we get this community that is usually virtual, but to get to take that virtual community with, like, it's sleepover camp with your best friends.

[Stacy]

Yeah.

[Tammy]

Like, we all got here and I felt like I already knew everyone.

[Darcy]

Right.

[Christine]

Yeah.

[Tammy]

And I've never met anyone in person, but yet we arrived. We all hugged and embraced each other and it was just like a sisterhood almost. And it's just. It's been magical for me, for sure. It's been transformative and.

[Darcy]

Go ahead.

[Tammy]

Sorry.

[Christine]

Honestly, we accidentally matched half the time. Like, we were all wearing green pants the other day. Just.

[Molly]

And I also say the amount of work I've gotten done in two days is more movement as a newer doula than I've had in six months.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Molly]

So it's just because you have these incredible resources. All of us bring different strengths to the table at your fingertips. In person, they can walk you through each thing.

[Tammy]

And to bounce off of that, not only do you have everyone's got knowledge in all different areas, but for me, it's been incredibly motivating. I can go to a coffee shop in my local town and I can say I'm going to get this to do list done and I may check off two or three things out of my 10. But being surrounded by everyone here and everyone's, let's do this. Let's get this work done. Let's get this rocking and rolling. What do you know? What can you share? It's just really been motivating for me.

[Stacy]

I agree. But honestly, it is a little bit easier to get all this work done when someone is bringing us some delicious food and sharing our dirty plate.

[Darcy]

That's a plus.

[Christine]

When is Kristen being canonized? When do we assign the halo? We have somebody here who's doula ing.

[Stacy]

Us, which is hard on the first try when we first get here. But I really. I don't know what will happen when I go home and there isn't someone helping me.

[Molly]

I grieve.

[Darcy]

Like, just like there's like a re entry.

[Tammy]

That's what I said. When I go back to real life tomorrow, it's going to be eye opening. Who's gonna take my plate from the table?

[Stacy]

Where's my ocean view?

[Darcy]

It's gonna make me a cup of tea. Yeah.

[Stacy]

Where's my doula besties?

[Tammy]

I know.

[Christine]

That's the.

[Tammy]

That's the most sad part.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Chelsea]

I think it's also going to remind you how much self care is so important.

[Darcy]

Absolutely.

[Chelsea]

Okay. I do need to do this for myself. Like, it does make that difference.

[Stacy]

Let's walk the walk.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

But it's been Huge for me, so.

[Tammy]

Exactly.

[Christine]

You guys have been getting lots of very physical work done on your business, but mine has been so internal. Like, the work done here.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

Has been like, I have had time. And this is what I was talking about earlier. Like, I have had pointed out to me, I've had time to step back from all the things that I have to do at home, and I don't have to do any of that here. And so there's actually time for my brain to process.

[Tammy]

It forces your brain to process.

[Darcy]

Yeah, yeah.

[Tammy]

And. And slow down and take a breather and think, okay, what do I need to prioritize?

[Christine]

The funny thing, too, was like earlier, you guys were like, we're all going to go to work. And I was like, I'm going to go take a nap.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

And I went and I fell asleep an hour and a half. And I woke up because there was this huge, like, peel of laughter that floated up the stairs. And I was like, I'm missing it. I got to get up.

[Darcy]

Yes.

[Christine]

Joy is being had and I'm upstairs by myself. This is ridiculous healing.

[Darcy]

But you still had your nap, so that I did. You got both.

[Christine]

Yeah.

[Chelsea]

It's been such a safe place. I love office hours, but I don't necessarily let my guard down there. I feel like I have to still be in good performance mode. And here I've just been able to let go. Just because you're safe and.

[Tammy]

And during office hours, you're still having mom hours.

[Darcy]

Yes. You're still doing everything else, all the things.

[Stacy]

And there's limited time.

[Molly]

We're here.

[Stacy]

It feels unlimited. It feels like Darcy and I just had a meeting and it was 4:30. I don't even know what time it was. And we were like, just went into a different room and solved my dilemma.

[Darcy]

Solved all your problems.

[Tammy]

Yes.

[Darcy]

But actually, what you pointed out, Stacy, was you solved all your problems. Like having. And that's. This is the power of being in a room of doulas, having conversations where someone just instantly gets your business, understands, and you have the ability to talk it out, talk it through.

[Molly]

Yeah.

[Darcy]

Multiple people here have said, my partner's great, my husband's great, but I can't. And he wants to help, but he can't. It's like when someone's in labor. Like, the partner wants to help, but they don't know what to do. It's the same like when you're talking to your partner about your doula business. They want to help, but they don't get it. The way we all Do. And so just having Stacy was said. She was like, oh, this is. We're having like a strategy session. But you're just nodding. Stacy was like, I'm just talking. You're just nodding. But, like, talking out your dreams and your ideas and your plans to someone who gets it is incredibly powerful.

[Stacy]

Yeah, you do. Look my business. Just by being here and letting me say it all out. Some of it. I started to go one way and then I brought it all the way back. I came down here and said I wanted to do this when I came here, but obviously I can't do this. And then we went the whole way.

[Christine]

Around it and I was like, guess what I'm doing.

[Darcy]

Here's the 10 reasons I'm going to do this. That is. And I didn't even realize it at the time. I totally did do. I was like, I'm just gonna let her talk.

[Tammy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

So we have.

[Stacy]

Which is really important in our work. I think the listening part is really important.

[Tammy]

And letting it's there.

[Darcy]

And letting the parent, or in this case, let the doula decide their own path. That's best for them.

[Christine]

And we had almost an opposite experience. Not with, like, helpfulness, because it's super helpful. But I came in and I was like, here's this laundry list of these gigantic, huge things that I'm gonna do all at once. And you asked such a simple question. You were like, why? So here's abc. Why do you want to do C? And I was like, I don't know. Maybe before you invest, like, tallest time of money, you should figure out your why. And then 45 minutes later, I was like, oh, I just figured out my why. And it's not a very good one. So let's table that idea.

[Darcy]

Let's save that 10 grand.

[Christine]

Yeah. And focus on something else. And maybe if it's still sitting there in six to nine months, we can revisit. But now is not the time.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

And then my whole body did this, like, visceral, like, relax. Like, oh, I don't have to do that.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

Because it wasn't because I wanted to. It was fun. I felt like I should.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Molly]

And you shoulded yourself.

[Christine]

I should.

[Stacy]

Yeah.

[Darcy]

This was a common theme back in May at the May retreat too. Some people came and launched a big new program. Some people came and cried it out and cut away things from their do it.

[Stacy]

Yeah. That totally was when we came in May.

[Darcy]

Yeah. So it's.

[Christine]

But everybody's at such a different place. And I signed up for this retreat, like, on a Whim. I was like, I think the leaves might be pretty in October in Maine. And Darcy was like, you should come. And I was like, okay.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

And so I signed up, and I came. And then last week, I thought, like, my life has, like, all these crazy business things have fallen in my lap in the last couple of weeks. I'm so glad I'm going, because I'm gonna have some time and space. And even at home, I was like, I'm putting it all off. I'm gonna think about it made. I'm gonna think about it made. I will figure it out there. And I did.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Tammy]

That's amazing.

[Darcy]

Awesome.

[Christine]

And then I have to go home and start doing laundry again.

[Darcy]

Oh, I know. And shop. Grocery shopping and cooking and meal planning.

[Stacy]

Cooking dinner for other people every night.

[Darcy]

There is a chef in the kitchen making this. Yes. So, Chelsea, talk about. Not to put you on the spot, but I think this is a common theme of. Because I felt this way before a big trip or before a big thing. I commit to the two days before. I'm like, no, I'm gonna cancel. I'm not. I was right.

[Chelsea]

You just don't know that. No, I absolutely was. I made every excuse in the book not to come. I fought with my husband because I wanted to be angry to not come.

[Christine]

I was just.

[Chelsea]

I was gonna have an excuse no matter what. And then he's, you're going.

[Darcy]

Me to go.

[Chelsea]

Please come back. Happy? Pretty much is what I got. I know you needed this. And I've talked to him on the phone since we got here, and he was. It's good to see you back again.

[Darcy]

Oh. And I was like, so you're glad you came.

[Tammy]

There aren't words.

[Chelsea]

It doesn't cover it.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

Do you know how many times I've heard In the last 24 hours, if you sell out of space for the May retreat, can I just bring an inflatable mattress? I'm sleeping on the floor. Sleep on the couch.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

And absolutely.

[Tammy]

I would. I'll do it.

[Christine]

Listen, I.

[Chelsea]

The pool table looks comfortable.

[Darcy]

We can put up. Yeah.

[Chelsea]

Hello.

[Darcy]

Yeah. May will be a fall retreat.

[Christine]

That's amazing, because the energy and the sisterhood and, like, what we've accomplished and pulled off here with so six of us. Can you imagine with 12? Can you. Can we double that? Like, it's mind blowing.

[Darcy]

And then what will you take back and incorporate into your life?

[Christine]

Intentional time usage and planning. That seems to have been the theme of everything, is I have to be more intentional with my time. And I've gotten a good breather, but I'm going to go home and it's going to be, you know, firing on all cylinders, all engines, 60. Like I'm gonna step off the plane and be on call for three different births. And it's like, I gotta be intentional. Cause my kids are gonna want dinner Saturday night and I am 100% not gonna want to make it for them. But that's gonna. In order to achieve my dreams, I have to be intentional about my time.

[Stacy]

I made myself a list of things that I need to want to work on my business now. And I'm gonna make the time for it when I get back. But I also, and after the last time I came in, may feel like I want to book another one to have that to look forward to because there is a lot of. That feels really good to know that's coming up and the friends and the people you can lean on and the absolute lifting up of other women in our same business has been amazing. So I would like to really maintain that and maintain the friendships and be able to lean on each other and lift each other up because it really has been amazing.

[Darcy]

And isn't it cool? Can I just shout out my doula village? We'll all leave tomorrow but then be chatting in the Facebook group and with the hundred other doulas. We. We've had an amazing time here together, the six of us, but we have the hundred doulas that are in my doula village that we. This continues and you. We have other friends. We wish everybody in my doula village was here, but we get to continue that tomorrow in the Facebook group and the. The relationships that you all. This is my favorite thing about my doula village. The side relationships and friendships that I've created, but also that you all have created. I just. I hear the little murmurs of oh, we when doulas joined from the same city and we met for coffee or you're all getting together and texting each other offline, you know, outside of my doula village and just crossing, creating true relationships and friendships that are lifelong and so valuable. So what I'm calling on you, Molly. What is it like for you to have my doula village?

[Molly]

Oh, big sigh. Having my doula village on my side and with me has completely transformed my business. I came from 15 years of nannying into being an entrepreneur and I know nothing about being an entrepreneur, but there are a lot of people surrounding me that do. And so they've just. It's been so transformative. So it's incredible. I will. If I was destitute, I still would not give up my.

[Darcy]

But you're not destitute.

[Molly]

I'm not. That's where my money would go. Like, there are certain things that are non negotiables and a day of rest and pretty much like my doula villages.

[Christine]

That's what Amber was talking about this morning. It's like, it's not that you can't afford something. It's that it's not a priority.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Tammy]

What is it worth to you?

[Christine]

What's it worth to you and what priority is it?

[Darcy]

Yeah, yeah.

[Christine]

This is.

[Molly]

Well, in therapy, but, you know, but that's a little.

[Stacy]

We got a little bit of that.

[Darcy]

There's been some therapy. There's been some tears. It's incredible. Lots of hugs, lots of laughing.

[Stacy]

So much laughing.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Stacy]

There was laughing during this.

[Molly]

Trying to staple it.

[Darcy]

Yeah. So the, like, hidden unadvertised tagline for my dealer village is that you come for the marketing tips and you stay for the sisterhood. And I think that this week here, together with you all in Maine has, like, just. I don't know the words.

[Tammy]

Solidifies.

[Stacy]

Solidifies.

[Christine]

Yeah.

[Molly]

It's just true.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Tammy]

And can I just say that I'm really super proud of everybody that's here. Like, the pride. Just watching Molly get her stuff set up today and ever. Just everybody. I'm just so proud.

[Darcy]

Can we met and then she got a client. Yeah. Right. Yeah.

[Christine]

I didn't hear this.

[Chelsea]

Yes.

[Darcy]

Yes.

[Molly]

At my. My, my rate.

[Christine]

You're new raised.

[Darcy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

Yeah, girl.

[Molly]

Yeah.

[Darcy]

Did she put out yesterday? Last night.

[Christine]

That was the overarching theme. Felt like I pulled from the May retreat. Having not been here, but having hearing everybody talk about it, I was like, oh, me too. Everyone's raising their rates. I did it.

[Tammy]

That's what pushed me to raise my rates. Yeah.

[Molly]

But it's also so you can live and you're worth the services that you're providing.

[Christine]

What's Emily's to the client? You should be charging worth and be worth what you charge. Yes. Be the Ferrari.

[Molly]

So I will show up for that amount. Like what I'm charging you that he will get that.

[Darcy]

Yeah. Yeah. Thank you all for coming on my podcast and thanks for having us. But it's time for us to go have our dinner that our chef is making for us and serving to us. And I'm so sorry. So we have to go. But is there anything else that anyone wants?

[Christine]

If you're on the fence about joining my doula village, this is the most, like, loving Accepting group of women that you can find on the Internet.

[Tammy]

Do it.

[Christine]

Do it.

[Tammy]

It's.

[Stacy]

Yeah, I agree. It's always positive, and it's always been great.

[Christine]

We were sitting at dinner last night, zero judgment, thanking Darcy. We're so grateful that you got over your initial fear and that you, like, took that leap of faith with that courage, because your leap of faith has changed our lives.

[Tammy]

And that's just.

[Christine]

I just. The deep appreciation that I have for that really can't be expressed.

[Tammy]

And I would add, if, like Christine said, if you're on the fence, jump over it, because just do it. I just finished. Just wrapped up my first year in business. I left my 9 to 5 job last September to pursue doula work full time. And if I was not in my doula village, I would never have been fully booked. Year one of my doula business. Most people I talk to say it's unheard of to be fully booked in your first year. And I surpassed my income from my nursing job, and I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't here.

[Darcy]

Oh, my God.

[Christine]

It's.

[Tammy]

Yeah.

[Christine]

To me, this is a. This is like a uniquely, very, uniquely special place.

[Tammy]

Now, you do have to still put in the work. You gotta put the work in. We're not saying that, but it's. You're gonna get the drive to put that work in and the skills to put the work in.

[Christine]

You want 105 cheerleaders with, like, their pom poms, like, checking on you?

[Darcy]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Christine]

And not just for doula stuff. Like, I'm so sick. I was so sick two months ago, and the people who checked on me was a doula that I've never met in person, like, from Kentucky, who called me every day and sent me, like, a doordash gift card for when I got home. And Emily, who was, like, twice a day, and Victoria, who was like, what's. What are the prayer requests? What are your numbers at today? Like, all these things. And it was my doula village who, like, and that had nothing. They doulaed me through a hospital stay, and it was such a gift. This is friendship. This is it. This is it.

[Tammy]

You find your people.

[Darcy]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Chelsea]

I don't care. I don't have any strong relationships with women at home, and I didn't realize this is what I needed. And, like, I'm not crying on a podcast, but, like, I'll cry later. But, no, it's life changing.

[Molly]

You're welcome in Atlanta anytime.

[Stacy]

There hasn't been ever in my doula village or on A retreat, a shred of competition.

[Christine]

And we are collaborating.

[Stacy]

It's so supportive. And that just feels so different as a woman and as a person. Starting my own business and to have somebody want me to succeed as much or more than I want to in the moment has been unreal. And I tell new doulas that I meet, they'll say, what did you do? What did you use? What are you? What do you do? We pay for. And I say, I paid for my Doula village before I was making money and I will pay for my Doula village until I'm forever cuz.

[Christine]

Did you know that you were going to run this, like, until you died? There's no options.

[Tammy]

You cannot go anywhere.

[Darcy]

But here's the thing. I need it too.

[Chelsea]

Like, I'm a long term care nurse.

[Christine]

I can help.

[Molly]

We can work something out.

[Darcy]

But all you guys are giving me this is not where what I meant. This little fun. I was like, let's talk about being near the ocean, you guys. And you're making me cry and giving me chills. But I need my Doula Village. I created my Doula Village because I needed this. I need women in my life who get being a doula, who get being an entrepreneur, who get having kids and trying to do all the things and take care of parents and pets because I don't have that. I have girlfriends, but it's just different. Like they don't get the business side right. And so anyway, I created my Doula Village because I needed it and like to have all these amazing doulas from all over the world come in. And now I'm gonna cry. So I needed as much as you, so it's never going away good. So on that note, our food's getting cold, so we have to go. So thank you all so much.

[Tammy]

Thank you.

[Darcy]

And if you're listening and want to join my doula Village, do it, do it now. Go to douladarcy.com, find the My Doula Village tab and join us and then.

[Christine]

We'Ll see you in May.

[Darcy]

Yeah, we'll see you in May. Yeah, you have to sleep on an air.

[Tammy]

You got to bring an air mattress.

[Christine]

Yeah, I. I paid for a bed. I'm.

[G]

Thank you for tuning in to the Dula Darcy podcast. I hope you found this episode valuable and I'd love for you to join me on the next one. Let's keep the conversation going. Shoot me a DM on Instagram Hedula Darcy. Or join my free Facebook community, the Doula Marketing Group, where we dive deeper into growing your doula business. If you enjoyed the episode, please take a moment to rate and review the podcasts on your favorite platform. Your feedback will help more doulas discover the show, which in turn helps more families find the doula support that they need. And I believe that that is how we save the world.

[Molly]

Thank you.