Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christie Collbran, Founder and CEO of Buddha Belly Doulas, located in Tampa, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Buddha Belly Doulas supports families in the Tampa Bay Area during pregnancy and the postpartum period with a number of services that help to make the transition from pregnancy to early parenthood a smooth and positive experience. This includes: childbirth and baby care classes, birth doula support, postpartum doula support, breastfeeding counseling, placenta encapsulation services, prenatal consulting, belly casting, and even car seat safety sessions.
Tell us about yourself
I started my doula career in 2009 when I trained and began supporting families as a birth doula. I am a mother to two boys aged 15 and 10. After my own childbirth experiences, I felt a strong calling to support women and families during the most vulnerable yet powerful moments of their lives.
As my client list grew, I knew that I needed a team to continue making a positive impact on the lives of new and expecting families. I launched Buddha Belly Doulas as a result.
I am motivated by the joy of our clients when they feel empowered and confident during birth and the early parenthood journey. Knowing that we are making a difference by giving families the compassionate and professional support they need keeps me going!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is that I am able to do what I love and make a living by caring for my own family while doing so! I took a small idea, and through hard work and persistence, I have created a successful business that contributes much-needed services to our community. The business started out with 1 doula (that was me!) supporting a few expecting families each year and has grown to a team of 25+ doulas supporting hundreds of families each year.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Striking a good balance between work, life, and family duties. Owning a business means that the buck stops with you! So even when you're spending time with the family and taking care of other life tasks, your business concerns are looming in the background, and those responsibilities have weight.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Always be learning. You don't know what you don't know. Search our books, classes, podcasts, etc, that provide education on topics you want to learn more about to improve your chances of success as a business owner. If you are struggling with something, chances are somebody has had the same struggles as you and figured out how to solve these problems and then wrote about it!
- Seek wise counsel from those who are where you want to be. Find a mentor, coach, or another successful business owner who has accomplished a level of success that you aspire to reach. Consider hiring that person to be your coach and guide you.
- Don't take things personally. Sometimes you have to make and execute tough decisions for the sake of your business. Do the right thing and separate your personal feelings from the matter. Somebody has to look out for the business, and that is you!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://buddhabellybirth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuddhaBellyDoulas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buddhabellydoulas/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TampaDoula
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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