Episode Summary: "Why Your Business Thrives When You Thrive"
The Doula Darcy Podcast hosted by Darcy Sauers delves into the essential connection between personal well-being and business success. In this insightful episode released on May 5, 2025, Darcy shares her personal experiences and strategies that underscore the importance of self-care in building a thriving doula business. This summary captures the key discussions, valuable insights, and practical advice presented throughout the episode.
1. Integrating Life and Business
Darcy opens the episode by emphasizing the seamless integration of personal life and business. She rejects the notion of compartmentalizing her roles, instead viewing her business as an extension of her life.
Darcy (00:45): "My business is my life, and my life is my business."
This holistic approach ensures that her business supports her lifestyle rather than draining her energy, fostering a sustainable and fulfilling career as a doula.
2. The Role of Coaching and Mastermind Groups
Darcy highlights the impact of her business coach, Amber Lillistrom, and the mastermind group she participates in. These groups consist of female business owners from various online sectors, providing a supportive environment for growth and development.
Darcy (00:45): "I have a business coach. Her name's Amber Lillistrom... We have amazing group zoom calls every single month."
The mastermind retreats, hosted in Amber’s tree house, offer intense days dedicated to both business advancement and personal mindset work, helping Darcy and her peers peel back mental barriers that hinder their progress.
3. Self-Care as a Business Strategy
A central theme of the episode is the importance of self-care in ensuring business success. Darcy argues that neglecting personal well-being leads to burnout and diminished business performance.
Darcy (06:32): "It's not a good business strategy to treat yourself like crap."
She shares her transformation from neglecting self-care to prioritizing it, illustrating how this shift has positively impacted her business. Darcy advocates for small, manageable self-care practices that can be seamlessly integrated into daily routines.
4. Personal Stories and Experiences
Darcy recounts her journey of realizing the necessity of self-care, beginning with her experiences as a mother of three and a doula. She describes attending her first yoga retreat, which initially felt overwhelming but ultimately became a pivotal moment for her personal and professional growth.
Darcy (12:15): "I was miserable beating myself up, not enjoying myself. And I finally took me a day and a half to relax into it."
This personal anecdote underscores the profound effect that dedicated self-care practices can have on one’s overall well-being and business efficacy.
5. Practical Tips for Self-Care and Business Growth
Darcy offers actionable advice for doulas looking to enhance their businesses by prioritizing self-care:
- Micro Moments: Allocate five minutes daily to savor a favorite hot drink or take deep breaths.
- Weekly Practices: Schedule regular activities like yoga classes or daily walks.
- Monthly Rituals: Incorporate non-negotiable self-care activities such as monthly massages.
- Annual Planning: Book retreats or special events that rejuvenate and inspire.
Darcy (17:45): "Building these things into your daily, weekly, monthly, and annual calendars... you will see rewards and benefits that you can't even imagine right now."
By systematically integrating these practices, doulas can prevent burnout, enhance their productivity, and foster a more balanced and successful business.
6. Promotion of Upcoming Events and Services
Towards the end of the episode, Darcy promotes her upcoming Birth Worker Retreat scheduled for January 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. This event is designed as a blend of business development and personal rejuvenation, tailored specifically for doulas and other birth workers.
Darcy (17:45): "We're down in Clearwater, Florida for three days in January... It's a conference for doulas, birth workers, lactation consultants, sleep consultants... it's about working on your business and yourself."
She encourages listeners to book their spots soon, highlighting the event’s limited availability and the unique benefits it offers, such as beach walks, hot tub networking, and intentional goal-setting for the new year.
Conclusion: Embracing Self-Care for Business Success
Darcy concludes the episode by reiterating the crucial link between self-care and business prosperity. She invites listeners to join her supportive communities on Instagram and Facebook, participate in her retreats, and implement the self-care strategies discussed.
Darcy (18:10): "Take care of your toddlers, book a massage, book lunch with your friend... believe that you are worthy of this care."
Her heartfelt encouragement serves as a powerful reminder that prioritizing personal well-being is not a luxury but a fundamental component of a successful and sustainable doula business.
Notable Quotes:
- Darcy (00:45): "My business is my life, and my life is my business."
- Darcy (06:32): "It's not a good business strategy to treat yourself like crap."
- Darcy (12:15): "I was miserable beating myself up, not enjoying myself. And I finally took me a day and a half to relax into it."
- Darcy (17:45): "Building these things into your daily, weekly, monthly, and annual calendars... you will see rewards and benefits that you can't even imagine right now."
- Darcy (18:10): "Take care of your toddlers, book a massage, book lunch with your friend... believe that you are worthy of this care."
Final Thoughts:
In "Why Your Business Thrives When You Thrive," Darcy Sauers masterfully intertwines personal anecdotes with professional advice, offering a compelling case for the integration of self-care into the entrepreneurial journey. Her authentic storytelling and practical tips provide invaluable guidance for doulas seeking to build resilient and flourishing businesses. By prioritizing personal well-being, Darcy illustrates how doulas can not only enhance their own lives but also better serve the families they support.