Eight weeks on your business, properly. We start with what’s going on in your head about money and your worth, because that’s where most birthwork businesses get stuck before they’ve even started. Then we build the structure: strategy, boundaries, what’s getting in your way and what you do about it. By the end, at least one part of how you run your business will work differently.
Birthwork doesn’t pay what it’s worth. That’s not because the work isn’t valuable. It’s because care work has always been treated as something you should do for less, or for free, because you “care so much” about it. Black and Brown birthworkers carry an extra layer of this, in a field already shaped by who gets believed, who gets paid properly, and who gets left to absorb the gaps.
If you’ve struggled to charge what you’re worth, said yes to things you should have said no to, or burnt out doing work you love because the business side never got built, that’s not a personal failing. That’s the system working as it was designed to.
It has a knock-on effect. Birthworkers who can’t sustain their practice leave the field. That means fewer of us. And that means the people who most need a birthworker who understands their specific risks have fewer of us to turn to.
Business for Birthworkers exists because your business holding you up isn’t separate from the justice work. It’s part of it.
You will receive coaching from certified life coach, Mars Lord. We are going to look at these different areas:
Where your business actually is right now, not the version you'd put in a bio.
What you want it to become, separate from what you've been told a "successful" birthwork business looks like.
The beliefs about your worth you brought into this business, and where they came from.
A plan built on what's true for you, not a template.
The difference between action that moves your business forward and action that just keeps you busy.
What's behind the procrastination, and whether it's procrastination or self-protection.
Making decisions, and knowing why you're making them, including the uncomfortable ones.
What this business actually needs from you, and what you can let go of.
Time, and how birthworkers tend to give it away first.
Your relationship with your own business, and whether it's one you'd want for a client.
The client relationships you actually want, against the ones you've been saying yes to.
Choosing your clients. Not every client is yours to take.
Boundaries: where yours are, what happens when they move, what it costs when they're not held.
What you do with your mistakes, instead of carrying them.
What you believe about money, and which of those beliefs are actually yours.
Charging properly, and what gets in the way of it.
Setting goals that don't shrink to fit what's been called "realistic" for birthwork.
The support your business needs, planned for properly.
What's likely to get in your way, and what you do when it does.
Your own path. Not the one that's been mapped out for birthworkers before you.
A plan that supports the growth and success of your business. Full of confidence in your business dreams and where you want to go. You will be clear about your business and you will have a plan with actionable steps to take it forward.
A well-rounded and valuable skill set. Combining the profound impact of birthwork with essential business knowledge.
Better prepared for success. As birthworkers, entrepreneurs, or professionals in the healthcare industry while making a positive difference in the lives of the families you serve.
Voxer Support. 2 weeks of Voxer support as you begin to implement all that you’ve learned.
Promotional Templates. With A series of fully customisable templates to promote your business.
Understanding your business and having a strong business mindset helps you gain clarity about your goals, vision, and the direction in which you want to take your business. This clarity enables you to make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to achieve success.
"Mars has a way of breaking down your habitual thought process into its component parts (which she does quite sneakily and subtly I think), so as to reveal to you where it is you keep tripping yourself up with some kind of a panic mode or fabrication. The process is held with lots of kindness, and some tough love."
"I'm only two weeks into Business for Birthworkers with Mars and honestly, the transformation I've felt has been phenomenal already. In each of the two sessions there have been multiple points I've felt a significant shift in my mindset and blocks that have held me back for years have melted away. Mars has such a divine gift for this work. I cannot wait to see where I am with myself and business at the end of the 8 weeks."
"The course far exceeded my expectations. Not only did I come away each week with self-coaching tools to put in to practice straight away, there were so many additional wise nuggets, suggestions, advice and ideas that Mars imparted during the sessions. These helped me with parenting, relationships, time management, setting boundaries, and much more."
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Abuela Doulas recognises that as well as doing the work, they need to support the work of others. With that in mind, here are some links to support not only us, but other organisations that we are involved in.
