The Doula Darcy Podcast

Episode: How I Hosted a Doula Holiday Party That Built Community and Saved Me on Taxes
Host: Darcy Sauers
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, business coach and agency owner Darcy Sauers shares her personal journey of hosting her agency’s holiday party—a longstanding dream realized now that she leads a team of doulas. Darcy discusses not just the emotional and professional joy of gathering her team but also dives into clever tax strategies that made the event a financial win for her business. This candid, strategy-packed episode is full of practical insights for both solo doulas and agency owners looking to strengthen community ties and run a smart business, with special attention to balancing celebration and entrepreneur savvy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Dream of a Doula Holiday Party

• Darcy reminisces about her advertising days, where December was filled with company parties.
  • “In December, I would always joke, like, going out to dinner with my family and with my three kids, okay, this is the Dover Doula holiday party.” [01:29]
• After years as a solo doula, building a team and hosting a real agency holiday party has become a meaningful milestone.

2. Optimizing for Tax Benefits

• Darcy reveals an important tax-saving strategy she learned:
  • Last year’s restaurant holiday dinner was only partially tax-deductible.
  • Her tax advisor suggested having a chef cater at home, which is fully deductible under certain conditions.
    • “If you had had a chef come... you can write the full cost of that off versus taking them out to dinner.” [03:20]
• Darcy used the “Augusta Rule” to have her business rent her house for the party, legally claiming the expense.
  • “It sounds and feels at first like you’re cheating the system, but you’re not. It’s called the Augusta rule... You can rent your house for one night to host your own party.” [03:48]

3. Building Team Connection & Gathering Feedback

• Hosting at home was more relaxed and intimate than a restaurant setting:
  • “We just sat in the living room and chatted… it was so easy and relaxed and like none of the background noise.” [04:35]
• Many team members met in person for the first time, deepening bonds.
• Darcy encouraged open discussion about agency operations and communication—conversations that “couldn’t have happened via text.” [05:29]
• Expressed deep gratitude for her team, applying lessons from industry peers about challenges agency owners face.

4. Involving Family in the Business

• Darcy involved her teenage sons in prepping for the event:
  • “Listen, you guys, this is how mom earns her money. This is like the business that buys your food. Help me out here.” [08:30]
• Points out the value of children seeing the realities and successes of working moms.

5. Client Appreciation: Personalizing Holiday Cards

• Darcy prepped client holiday cards for doulas to sign with personal messages.
  • “To have a little handwritten note from your doula in your holiday card is just extra special.” [10:33]
• Noted the positive shift from generic agency cards to these personalized touches.

6. Year-End Bonus Strategy

• Planned on small self-care gifts but, when pressed for time, increased the year-end bonus instead:
  • “Decided to just amp up their end of the year bonus a little bit more. And so that’s what I did...” [12:22]
• Each bonus came with a heartfelt note to recognize the team’s hard work.

7. Encouragement for All Doulas to Build Community

• Whether solo or agency-based, Darcy emphasizes gathering in person:
  • “There’s nothing like getting together in person and just hanging out and chatting and solidifying those relationships. As the world just gets more and more online... the more humanity and in-person things you can weave into your business, the better.” [13:39]
• Suggests that even solos can invite referral sources or doula friends for meaningful celebrations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the emotional significance of the event:
  “This is a dream come true. Because when I was a baby doula, for the first several years of working as a doula, it was just me.” [00:52]
• On the Augusta Rule:
  “My business can pay me as an individual for the renting of the space. And I as a person don’t have to claim that as income, but my business can claim it as an expense... It’s called the Augusta rule...” [03:45]
• On building a positive team:
  “They’re amazing doulas. They’re so compassionate, they’re so good at their jobs… I’ve even had some go as far to send me a separate email and say, Darcy, you’ve assembled an incredible team.” [06:12]
• Why in-person gatherings matter:
  “As the world just gets more and more online and more and more taken over by AI, I think the more humanity and live in person, things you can weave into your business, the better it’s going to be and then the better your life is going to be.” [13:46]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:46–02:14: Darcy’s dream of hosting a holiday party, solo years as a doula
• 03:07–04:35: Using a private chef and the Augusta Rule for tax benefits
• 04:35–06:47: Comforts of home, relaxed vibe, team bonding, and agency feedback
• 06:47–08:52: Gratitude for the team, industry stories, involving her kids
• 09:58–11:36: Holiday card signing and client appreciation rituals
• 12:10–13:26: Bonus instead of physical gifts, importance of celebration for all doulas
• 13:26–14:55: Final encouragements, invitation to connect, and feedback requests

Closing Thoughts

Darcy’s episode is an uplifting, practical blueprint for doulas and agency owners on how to cultivate community, creatively maximize tax savings, and build team spirit in ways both sincere and strategic. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or run a large agency, Darcy shows it’s possible to make the holidays meaningful—and business-savvy.