Podcast Summary: The Doula Darcy Podcast – Starting a Doula Agency with Jodi Congdon
Episode Information:
- Title: Starting a Doula Agency with Jodi Congdon
- Host: Darcy Sauers
- Guest: Jodi Congdon
- Release Date: November 19, 2024
1. Introduction
In this episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast, host Darcy Sauers welcomes Jodi Congdon, the owner of Hip to Heart, to discuss the intricacies of starting and managing a doula agency. Drawing from her extensive experience, Jodi shares valuable insights into scaling a doula business, fostering quality client relationships, and maintaining a balanced work-life dynamic.
2. Jodi Congdon’s Journey to Starting Hip to Heart
Jodi recounts her transition from being a solo doula to establishing her own agency, Hip to Heart. After eight years of practicing as a doula, personal life events, including her father's battle with cancer and the birth of her children, compelled her to seek a more sustainable and scalable business model.
Notable Quote:
“It just started as a business and I got my shit together.”
— Jodi Congdon [05:20]
Jodi emphasizes that her agency's foundation was built out of necessity during a challenging period, leading her to formalize her operations and expand her reach.
3. Managing a Successful Doula Agency
Operating for the past five years, Hip to Heart has grown to include nearly 50 contracted doulas. Jodi attributes this growth to her strategic approach and commitment to quality over quantity.
Notable Quote:
“I would rather say no to a prospective client than have someone that I'm unsure about take care of them.”
— Jodi Congdon [08:09]
Jodi highlights the importance of maintaining a selective roster of doulas to ensure high standards and client satisfaction, rather than expanding indiscriminately.
4. Setting Client and Doula Expectations
A cornerstone of Jodi's management style is setting clear expectations with both clients and doulas. By fostering transparency, she minimizes misunderstandings and ensures smooth operations.
Notable Quote:
“I connect with every client. I'm super transparent. I get to know them very personally before I make the match.”
— Jodi Congdon [18:09]
She discusses implementing policies such as a 48-hour cancellation rule to protect both clients and doulas, ensuring reliability and mutual respect within the agency.
5. Pricing Strategies and Transparency
Jodi and Darcy delve into the debate over displaying doula prices on websites. Jodi advocates for transparency, believing it streamlines the client selection process and sets clear financial expectations from the outset.
Notable Quote:
“I think you should have your doula prices on your website... it makes the money conversation easier.”
— Darcy Sauers [31:12]
Conversely, Jodi shares her strategy of not listing prices publicly, preferring to discuss costs during personalized consultations to better assess client needs and ensure affordability.
Notable Quote:
“I want to talk about these things, you don't bring it up when they're already hysterical.”
— Jodi Congdon [21:57]
This approach helps in filtering clients who are genuinely interested and can afford the services, thereby preserving the agency's reputation and financial stability.
6. Training and Matching Doulas
Jodi emphasizes the importance of training doulas within her network to maintain consistent quality and standards. By conducting thorough training sessions, she ensures that all doulas adhere to the agency's core principles and are well-prepared to meet client needs.
Notable Quote:
“If whoever is training them, if they all get similar training or by the same person, then your scope of practice is the same.”
— Jodi Congdon [25:38]
This unified training approach facilitates effective matching between clients and doulas, fostering trust and ensuring optimal care.
7. Advice for Aspiring Doula Agency Owners
Jodi offers actionable advice for doulas considering starting their own agencies. She encourages proactive planning and investing in business growth before being overwhelmed by client demand.
Notable Quote:
“Do it. It is a game changer for just your lifestyle.”
— Jodi Congdon [26:22]
She stresses the significance of having a structured foundation, leveraging mentorship, and being adaptable to navigate the complexities of agency management.
8. Jodi’s Birth Boss Agency Program
To support doulas in launching their agencies, Jodi has developed the Birth Boss Agency Program. This comprehensive course combines self-paced learning with live sessions, providing participants with the necessary tools, templates, and strategies to establish and grow their doula businesses effectively.
Notable Quote:
“You are up and running at the end. So it's not now you've done the planning process and now you're off to yourself. We execute together.”
— Jodi Congdon [28:27]
The program reflects her journey and lessons learned, offering a guided path to avoid common pitfalls and accelerate business development.
9. Conclusion
The episode concludes with promotional mentions of the upcoming Birth Worker Retreat in Clearwater, Florida, where Jodi will lead sessions on starting a doula agency, passive income, and handling financial conversations with clients. Darcy and Jodi reiterate the benefits of structured growth and community support in cultivating successful doula careers.
Notable Quote:
“Whatever works for you, continue doing that. And if something's not working for you, figure out why differently.”
— Jodi Congdon [37:06]
Listeners are encouraged to explore Jodi’s resources, attend the retreat, and engage with the Doula Marketing Group for continued learning and support.
Resources Mentioned:
- Jodi's Agency Program: Hip to Heart Website
- Birth Worker Retreat: thebirthworkerretreat.com (Use coupon code RETREAT100@thebirthworkerretreat.com)
- Jodi's Podcast: The Birth Boss Podcast
Join the Conversation:
- Instagram: @thedouladarcy
- Facebook Community: The Doula Marketing Group
Final Thoughts: This episode offers a deep dive into the strategic considerations and personal experiences involved in scaling a doula business. Jodi Congdon's insights provide a roadmap for doulas aspiring to expand their impact while maintaining quality and personal fulfillment.