Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brittany Martin, Founder of Mother.Sister.Friend. Doula Services, LLC, located in Owings Mills, MD, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a doula, lactation counselor, and placenta encapsulation specialist. My primary customer base is black women/birthing folks.
Tell us about yourself
Becoming a mother right after high school, not knowing much about the birthing process, and not having a supportive care team is what began this journey. My first birth was traumatic. I had no idea who I was or how to advocate for myself, especially while feeling bombarded by my care team. That experience and learning via Erykah Badu's Twitter what a doula even was led me to hire midwife/doulas (Deana Kopf and Alexa Richardson of Birthwise Midwifery) for my next pregnancy. I received a type of care and support that I knew I wouldn't experience in a traditional healthcare setting. Their energy was warm and nurturing. I felt seen, heard, and valued, which helped me to believe in and trust myself. My experience with them was indescribably healing. A little over a year later, I attended a doula training with Birth Arts International and have been doing birth work ever since. In my search for a doula, no black or brown doulas appeared [in the search results], so enmeshed with my desire to "pay it forward" was a yearning to provide doula support to black birthing folks in my area.
I am motivated by my clients, our subpar healthcare systems, and those who paved the way for me. I do this work because black birthing folks deserve quality care, education, and support. We deserve to have safe, positive, and empowering birthing experiences. Our babies deserve to enter this world void of (preventable) birth trauma.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I quit my corporate job to begin my business, so my biggest accomplishment is that I bet on myself to follow my dreams. I continue to stick to it, no matter what challenges arise. Even if I need to take a few breaks, I never quit.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I have three: finding balance, the inevitable journey of self-discovery, and funding-- starting a business is PRICEY!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be yourself (you are enough).
- Know your "why."
- Do it afraid.
- Apply for grants and mentorship!!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.msfdoula.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSFDoula/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mothersisterfriend_doula/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-ladoula-martin-824311153/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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