Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erin Carroll-Manning, Founder of Gentle Giraffe's Newborn Care & Family Services, located in Natick, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a pregnancy and Postpartum Agency. Our customers or clients are anyone looking to grow their family. We service all kinds of families no matter how they become a family. We educate, guide, and support families while pregnancy with parenting classes, breastfeeding classes, birth education, and post-birth with days and overnights through the first 4-6 months postpartum.

Tell us about yourself

I can't remember the first time I was drawn to children, but I do remember from a very young age, always thinking I would work with them. I wasn't sure in what capacity. As middle school rolled around, I was hired as a mother's helper for my neighbor, and then I babysat on weekends and during the summer. As high school was ending, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I ended up picking up a few families to work for, and that's how my nanny career started.

After about 10yrs of being a full-time career nanny, I loved what I was doing, but I saw the need for support during the 4th trimester. I ended up seeking out postpartum doula training, and the rest is history. I took many pieces of training and classes to learn about newborns and the 4th trimester. I started to work overnights to gain experience during this time while still working as a full-time nanny.

As I was working for other companies supporting families doing overnights, I was shocked at how little education these families had and how they could really benefit from a well-rounded, educated person on newborns and the 4th trimester. I realized then that I needed to start my own company where education, guidance, and support are at the core of what we do, then comes in the physical support of doing the overnights and days, etc. I pride myself on doing my best to build a company that is known for bringing education, guidance, and support to families during this time. I love what I do. I love knowing when I go to work; I'm allowing a family to get much-needed sleep and help them learn what their baby is telling us. I love seeing the joy on families' faces who had a hard start when we have been able to troubleshoot what is happening and find the root cause that changes everything around, and the family and baby are now thriving because we have a happy, calm, well-fed and comfortable baby on their hands. It really warms my heart to see this. I know my work has been done. It's an amazing feeling to work yourself out of a job.

I would say I'm motivated by the babies and learning them so I can bridge the gap between the books and the Docs in a way for families to understand and implement what the baby is saying they need. It's not always what people think they need.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

What's my biggest accomplishment as a Business owner? I really have no idea. I would have to say having the confidence in myself to be doing this. To be running a business in general and everything it comes with. I'm far from perfect, and on many days I know I have dropped the ball. I do my best daily. I'm stunned with disbelief at how well other people see us doing. I still don't know what to say when people compliment me on how well we are doing. I just never imagined being this well-known for what I love to do. I have a vision, and I work towards it. That's All I see. I have to say, the woman who works with me is amazing as well. They bring me joy when I hear from clients how amazing they are. That's who really deserves the pat on the back. They see my vision of education, guidance, and support and follow doing the same when working with clients.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner, Having to make hard decisions. Decisions to terminate contracts when the situations are getting uncomfortable or toxic for the woman who is there, to have to let people go who aren't working out. It really makes me feel sad when I have to make choices like these. I have joked about hiring someone whose only purpose is to relay the bad information. Lol! That's how much It pains me to do things like that. As a business owner, I have to look out for what is best for everyone and what my vision is for the company.

It's also really hard when I hear rumors about me from other people in this industry, either bad-mouthing me or the choices I made. I have heard from my own clients the rumors too. At the end of the day, they are rumors. All the ones I have heard never have the correct information being spread around. I chuckled when I heard some. Then I educate myself on what actually happened if I feel the need.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Never give up, no matter how hard it seems.
  2. There is always a lesson to learn from every interaction, be it good, bad, or ugly.
  3. Allow integrity to guide you every step of the way, even during those hard, hard, hard experiences and choices. Interiority always has your back in the long run.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I would like to add that if someone is going to start a business, they should take some general business classes beforehand. Nothing big but enough to have a broad understanding of how the legal aspects of running a business go. Then surround yourself with a confident legal team and finance team. There is so much information out there but very little on what to look for to make a solid foundation.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.gentlegiraffes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gentlegiraffes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gentlegiraffesnewborncare/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanning1082/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.