Podcast Summary: The Doula Darcy Podcast – Episode: "From Side Hustle to Six Figures with Christine Rogers"

Introduction

In the March 14, 2025 episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast, host Darcy Sauers engages in an inspiring conversation with Christine Rogers, a highly successful birth and postpartum doula based in Alaska. Christine shares her transformative journey from managing her parents' bakery as a side hustle to building a thriving six-figure doula business. This detailed summary encapsulates their discussion, highlighting key topics, insightful strategies, and motivational anecdotes that can empower doulas at various stages of their careers.

Guest Background and Initial Challenges

Christine Rogers begins by recounting her early days balancing work at her family's bakery and her passion for doula work. Initially, Christine perceived doula services as a mere side gig, pricing her services at $500 per birth while managing around eight births annually.

"I don't even know where I came up with the number 500. I just pulled it out of the air and I was like, all right, this is what I'm gonna charge this." ([05:00])

Christine acknowledges the unsustainability of her initial pricing and the emotional and physical toll it took on her. Her breakthrough came when she decided to join Darcy's Doula Village, a pivotal move that provided her with the necessary support and marketing strategies to scale her business.

Transitioning to Full-Time Doula Work

Three years prior to the podcast, Christine made a decisive move to transition from her role in the bakery to pursuing doula work full-time. This shift was significantly influenced by her involvement in Doula Village, where she connected with a community of doulas from diverse regions.

"When you joined my doula village was a huge part of that." ([02:18])

She highlights the importance of community support in overcoming her initial fears about scaling up and recognizing the true value of her services. This realization was further solidified when she decided to invest in Darcy's coaching programs, which focused on elevating her business to a six-figure income.

Overcoming Pricing Barriers

A major hurdle for Christine was confronting her self-worth and the perceived value of her doula services. Through coaching, she learned to revalue her services and confidently increase her rates.

"What do you have to do to make six figures? Which was the first indication to me that it was even the possibility, like, existed in the world." ([05:46])

Christine now charges $2,600 per birth, a significant increase from her initial rate. This adjustment not only enhanced her income but also allowed her to maintain the high-quality support she provides to her clients.

"$2,600. Boom. Which is five times plus." ([07:09])

The Role of Doula Village and Community Support

Christine attributes much of her success to Doula Village, emphasizing the invaluable support and sisterhood it offers. The community provided her with encouragement during challenging times, such as traumatic births, and offered practical advice on business growth.

"You come for the marketing videos and you stay for the sisterhood." ([12:31])

She shares heartfelt moments where fellow doulas provided emotional and professional support, reinforcing the importance of a strong support network in sustaining a doula business.

Personal Growth and Entrepreneurship

Beyond her professional achievements, Christine discusses her personal growth journey fueled by entrepreneurship. She highlights how managing her doula business has empowered her to pursue other passions, such as pottery and learning a new language.

"I've decided to learn a new language. I was super frustrated with it last week... give me three years of dedicated time and I'm gonna be fluent." ([17:55])

This personal development not only enhances her skills but also sets a positive example for her children, instilling entrepreneurial spirit and resilience.

Modeling Entrepreneurship for Her Children

Christine is passionate about modeling entrepreneurial values for her four children, aged 18 to 11. She shares stories of how her children are inspired by her work ethic and business acumen, undertaking their own ventures to achieve personal goals.

"My daughter sold out a month's worth of pastries in a day and a half to fund her trip to nationals." ([26:26])

These anecdotes underscore the ripple effect of Christine’s success, showcasing how a robust support system and entrepreneurial mindset can positively influence the next generation.

Launching a Childbirth Education Course

Looking ahead, Christine is developing a comprehensive childbirth education course aimed at empowering expectant mothers to advocate for themselves during births. This initiative reflects her commitment to removing fear and fostering confidence among her clients.

"It's going to be the comprehensive childbirth education for those who are looking to remove fear and have the confidence themselves to be empowered and advocate for themselves." ([40:11])

This project not only diversifies her offerings but also reinforces her role as a thought leader in the doula community.

Sustainable Business Practices and Avoiding Burnout

Christine emphasizes the importance of sustainable business practices to prevent burnout, a common challenge in the doula profession. She advocates for building a resilient support system and maintaining work-life balance.

"The only way to do this work sustainably is with support. We can't do it in a vacuum." ([38:41])

By integrating personal well-being with professional responsibilities, Christine ensures longevity and fulfillment in her doula career.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Christine Rogers' journey from a side hustle to a six-figure doula business illustrates the transformative power of community support, strategic pricing, and personal development. Her story serves as a blueprint for doulas aspiring to elevate their practice and create sustainable, fulfilling careers.

Notable Quotes:

• "We can't do it in a vacuum." – Christine Rogers ([38:41])
• "You come for the marketing videos and you stay for the sisterhood." – Christine Rogers ([12:31])
• "The supportive system that I have in place. And 80% of that comes from my doula village." – Christine Rogers ([34:52])
• "It's not the money that I'm chasing. It's the freedom." – Christine Rogers ([10:34])
• "I refuse to be a part of that statistic. I won't do it." – Christine Rogers ([38:19])

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast is a testament to the profound impact of mentorship, community, and self-belief in transforming a passion into a prosperous business. Listeners are encouraged to embrace these principles to foster their own success and contribute meaningfully to the lives of the families they serve.