The Doula Darcy Podcast: What Men Get Right About Business with Kaitlin McGreyes of Be Her Village

Release Date: November 25, 2024

In this insightful episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast, host Darcy Sauers engages in a compelling conversation with Kaitlin McGreyes of Be Her Village. The discussion delves into the dynamics of business retreats, the importance of community among doulas, overcoming burnout, and innovative approaches to supporting mothers through behavioral economics. This summary captures the essence of their dialogue, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

1. Parallel Journeys and Shared Goals

Darcy opens the episode by introducing Kaitlin McGreyes, highlighting their shared visions in supporting doulas and families. Both have created platforms—Darcy’s Doula Village and Kaitlin’s Be Her Village—that use similar branding and colors, symbolizing their collaborative spirit rather than competition.

Kaitlin McGreyes [00:45]: "You created BE Her Village. I created my doula village. I'm showing my little clipboard. We have the same. Our logo. Our brands have the same color."

This alignment underscores their mutual commitment to empowering doulas through effective marketing and community support.

2. The Birth Worker Retreat: A Transformative Experience

The conversation shifts to their experience at a Birth Worker Retreat in Florida, where Kaitlin shares observations about traditional business retreats dominated by men and contrasts them with their own approach.

Kaitlin McGreyes [02:13]: "The men do it. Why can't we, like the men, create these three-day conferences at resorts and have their businesses pay for it?"

She recounts the serene setting of the retreat, emphasizing the blend of business discussions and relaxation, which fosters deeper connections and productive networking.

Kaitlin McGreyes [03:49]: "One of my very favorite. There was so much from that birth worker retreat that was so good... it was like what I did in corporate Darcy times, like attending trade shows and conferences that were so boring, but they were in, like, cool places."

3. In-Person Connections vs. Virtual Meetings

Kaitlin highlights the unique value of in-person interactions over virtual ones, citing how spontaneous conversations and relaxed environments lead to meaningful business growth.

Kaitlin McGreyes [06:10]: "There's so much value in that. And I have to say, it's like there. The sessions that we had were amazing... the in betweens are where that magic happens."

She reminisces about meeting Darcy on the beach, illustrating the organic and heartfelt connections formed during the retreat.

Kaitlin McGreyes [06:54]: "But like running into you on the beach walk, that was like. That was romantic. Like, some people running. We like."

4. Overcoming Burnout Through Community Support

The discussion turns to the pervasive issue of burnout among doulas and how building a supportive community can mitigate its effects. Kaitlin shares a personal story about seeking advice from a business advisor, who encouraged her and Darcy to prioritize team bonding over constant work.

Kaitlin McGreyes [12:05]: "The burnout is real. Don't not sign up because you're tired and burnt out. Sign up because you're tired and burnt out."

She emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and fostering a work environment that nurtures creativity and productivity.

Kaitlin McGreyes [14:05]: "We son the other side of it, it's like ping pong tables and snacks in the fridge. And where all your good ideas come from... when you walk and talk and exchange that energy."

5. Be Her Village: Innovating Maternal Support Through Behavioral Economics

Kaitlin introduces Be Her Village, an innovative platform designed to shift baby shower gifting from material products to supportive services for mothers. She explains the concept of behavioral economics, which underpins the platform’s success by aligning familiar behaviors with new, impactful actions.

Kaitlin McGreyes [28:18]: "Occam's razor. The shortest, easiest solution is just take some of that 12 billion from Jeff Bezos and Amazon and crap that you. They don't need."

Be Her Village allows friends and family to contribute financially to services like doula support, postpartum care, and lactation consultancy, directly benefiting mothers.

Kaitlin McGreyes [31:12]: "Instead of baby stuff, it's doulas. Instead of bouncers, it's pelvic floor support... All of us, all the doulas."

6. Addressing Systemic Challenges in Maternal Health

The episode delves into the systemic issues facing maternal health in the U.S., such as inadequate parental leave, lack of daycare, and insufficient postpartum support. Kaitlin and Darcy discuss how platforms like Be Her Village can bridge these gaps by redirecting funds towards essential services.

Kaitlin McGreyes [26:52]: "We are just preparing mothers. Wrong. As a country, we don't have the infrastructure for supporting a mother, period."

This conversation underscores the critical need for innovative solutions to support mothers beyond the traditional gift registry model, which often fails to address real postpartum challenges.

7. The Power of Collaboration Over Competition

Kaitlin and Darcy celebrate their collaborative efforts, emphasizing that their shared mission to support doulas and families is more significant than any competition. They highlight how their platforms complement each other, creating a unified front to compete against large corporations like Amazon.

Kaitlin McGreyes [35:21]: "I don't think you're my competition. I think Jeff Bezos is my competition."

This partnership exemplifies the strength of community-driven initiatives in making impactful changes within the doula and maternal support industries.

8. Call to Action: Join the Birth Worker Retreat and Be Her Village

As the episode concludes, Kaitlin passionately invites listeners to join the upcoming Birth Worker Retreat in Florida, highlighting the transformative experiences that await. She also encourages doulas to sign up for Be Her Village, where they can offer meaningful support to mothers through their services.

Kaitlin McGreyes [21:31]: "Come to this worker retreat with us if you're ready to go and level up your business. And come if you're tired. You're going to be in a room of doulas. We will take care of you."

Darcy echoes this sentiment, urging listeners to engage with their communities and leverage these platforms to enhance their doulas' impact.

Key Takeaways

• In-Person Retreats Foster Genuine Connections: Unlike virtual meetings, in-person retreats provide an environment where meaningful business relationships and creative ideas flourish through relaxed interactions.

• Combating Burnout Requires Community Support: Building a supportive network among doulas can alleviate burnout, enhancing both personal well-being and business productivity.

• Innovative Gifting Solutions Address Real Needs: Platforms like Be Her Village revolutionize baby shower gifting by redirecting funds towards essential maternal services, ensuring gifts are both meaningful and impactful.

• Collaboration Over Competition Drives Change: Collaborative efforts between doulas and support platforms create a stronger, unified front against large corporations, fostering more significant industry-wide improvements.

• Systemic Issues Need Innovative Solutions: Addressing the gaps in maternal health support requires innovative approaches that go beyond traditional systems, ensuring comprehensive care for mothers.

Notable Quotes

• Kaitlin McGreyes [02:13]: "The men do it. Why can't we, like the men, create these three-day conferences at resorts and have their businesses pay for it?"

• Kaitlin McGreyes [14:05]: "We... have to rest is going to make you more productive or a fun two hours is going to make you more productive."

• Kaitlin McGreyes [26:52]: "We are just preparing mothers. Wrong. As a country, we don't have the infrastructure for supporting a mother, period."

• Kaitlin McGreyes [35:21]: "I don't think you're my competition. I think Jeff Bezos is my competition."

Join the Movement

Listeners are encouraged to:

• Attend the Birth Worker Retreat: Connect with fellow doulas and birth workers in a supportive environment that fosters growth and collaboration.

• Sign Up for Be Her Village: Doulas can register their services, allowing friends and family to gift meaningful support to mothers through the platform.

• Engage with the Community: Join Darcy’s free Facebook community, The Doula Marketing Group, to dive deeper into strategies for growing a successful doula business.

By participating in these initiatives, doulas can enhance their businesses, support more families, and contribute to a more robust maternal support system.

This episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast underscores the importance of community, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts in transforming the doula and maternal support landscape. Through shared experiences and strategic initiatives, doulas are empowered to create fulfilling, impactful careers that significantly benefit families.