This Is The Year To Go All In As A Doula With Dominique Jones
-
Kaely Harrod 0:04
Welcome to doula Tips and Tits. This podcast is a place where we answer one question about doula work, both to support you and to help you support your clients. I'm Kaylee Herat. I've been supporting families in this perinatal space since my oldest was born 12 nearly 13 years ago. I am a birth and postpartum doula childbirth educator, lovely cheerleader and a doula coach. I love guiding and supporting doulas as they work out their doula business. It is a tremendous joy to be trusted in this way. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Welcome back to doula Tips and Tips today, I am super excited to have my Doula coach student Dominique Jones with me. Dominique, I would love to hand it over to you and let you tell us who you are and how you became a doula sort of give us a little intro to yourself.
Dominique Jones 1:01
Okay, first, thank you, Kaely so much for having me on. I am super excited to join your show and to talk about your amazing coaching program. So before we get started, I will just take a minute to introduce myself. I am Dominique Jones. I am an Urban mom from Washington, DC. I have three young girls, I have a five year old, a three year old and a now 10 month old, all girls, and I am also the founder and CEO of a birth services company called mama, mom's advocate and maternal advisor LLC. I educate, empower and assist families with having safe, peaceful and joyous childbirth experiences. And I do that through my private childbirth classes through my birth and postpartum doula services and through lactation counseling. So that's just a little bit about me, who I am and what I do. I got started with birth work after the birth of my second child. I had a doula. Her name was Jen. She was absolutely amazing. I had her for the birth of my first baby, and for the birth of my second baby. And after the birth of my second baby, I realized that it wasn't really something to the work of a doula, right that the first time I thought maybe it was just luck. Maybe I just had like a great experience because I got lucky.
Kaely Harrod 2:39
Yeah,
Dominique Jones 2:40
and it was funny because when I was talking about my birthing goals and how I wanted to have an unmedicated natural childbirth, everyone who I spoke to like my family, and my friends, they thought I was crazy. And they told me that I would be begging for an epidural. Or they asked me things like, Well, why would you want to do that? But I just knew that I wanted to do that for me. And I don't know how but I heard about a doula. Somehow it had to be an app or a magazine because I promise you before I got pregnant, or before I started my journey to motherhood. I had no clue what a doula was, right. But I knew I wanted one. Once I found out I had one. And she helped me have the birth that I wanted to have. Kaylee, you won't believe this. So I was birthday in the room. And Anthony and his mom and his dad was in the room too. But Anthony and his mom was kind of talking to a nurse. I'd like the foot of the bed. And my Doula was with me at the top of the bed, right? And I was just so connected with her. And his mom looked over, it was like, Are you? Are you pushing? She was like, she was like, you don't have to be a big girl because she thought that I was going to be screaming. Right. But I heard her but it was like it didn't even register. Right. I was
Kaely Harrod 3:58
just just like, I still deal with you right now.
Dominique Jones 4:01
So in tune what my Doula that, you know, I was able to push her without people, you know.
Kaely Harrod 4:10
People don't even realize I'm giving her. Yes. All right.
Dominique Jones 4:16
So, yeah, yeah. And then I did that, again, something similar for my second child, Jen was there too. And it was then that I was like, This is what I want to do. I want to help more women look like me change that birthing narrative. So they can have more peaceful, more enjoyable, more joyous childbirth experiences. And it was kind of then that was really a pivotable pivotal turning point for me because I had worked in education for 13 years. And all of those years, I had no clue what I wanted to do. I had a lot of skills, a lot of talent and people were like, You're good at this and you're good at that and you're good at everything, but I felt so unfulfilled and so lost and It was then that I was like, This is what I want to do. And that's when I started
Kaely Harrod 5:02
my journey. That's amazing. I love that. I think it's interesting because I from knowing you, like you connect with people really well. And so I'm sure that was part of it is people are like, you're amazing at this, because you connect with people. But you're like, I mean, yeah, I can do that. Well.
Dominique Jones 5:22
Yeah, I can do that. Well, right. But this is like, it was just like this. This is not it. And I kept saying, I don't know what I want to be like that. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. And I didn't know for a long time.
Kaely Harrod 5:33
Right. But I had grown with no, yeah, for growing up. Yeah.
Dominique Jones 5:39
Well, they grow up on the ground. And I had transitioned so much in that career, like I had, you know, promotion after promotion, I had tripled my salary. And it was a great job. And people just kept saying, You better not leave that good job. Like, don't you leave that job? It was it was great. But I was like, this is not it? Yeah, yeah. Yeah.
Kaely Harrod 5:58
I mean, that's also I think, just, we could go down a whole rabbit trail of like, doula as a second career, because? Because similar to the like, I don't know, are you sure you can do this attitude about giving birth? Is that like, branching into this career? And I think a big part of it is, people still don't really know what a doula is, you know. And so, I mean, I take before the before the pandemic, I would always take a lift to births always, well, some some sort of rideshare. Right. And every time the person driving would be like, What the heck is a doula? So like, I would have this conversation, like a few times a month, every single month, like, this is what I do. No, I'm not a midwife. No, I don't get babies. Yes, I do go to hospitals. No, it's not only for people unmedicated, like all of those things, right? But part of it is then this like, lack of imagination of how that can look, especially when you're in more of like a traditional or safe, like, work experience. Right? And it's like, but this is going so well. Why would you give that
Dominique Jones 7:05
up? Yeah. Yeah, but I'm so glad I did.
Kaely Harrod 7:09
Yeah, yeah. I love that. So um, so I love I love how your journey began. One thing that you mentioned is people like me is part of your vision for black women, especially to have this kind of support. Because this is a podcast that people don't see you. I want to highlight that that is the case, right? That you are a wonderful black woman and you are serving black women, not only black women, I'm sure. But that's part of your mission. Right?
Dominique Jones 7:40
Yeah, it is definitely isn't as funny because for a while I was like, Am I ever gonna get a black client? Because I guess or you know, of course, every everyone right? And everyone who I have served have had wonderful experiences and nothing but great things to say which validates my work. But my mission is to serve black birthing families, and help them have joyous experiences. Yeah, I was really intentional. When I set up my business structure. You know, my logo has a black, pregnant woman with an afro, I was really intentional about weaving in my sorority colors. I'm a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, leaving in that subtle
Kaely Harrod 8:30
shout out.
Dominique Jones 8:35
Weaving in that pink and green eye, we can take loss in my branding, you know, so, and I was really intentional about having imagery on my website, and everything that I produced that reflect black birthing families. So that is my target audience and entrepreneur or professional, you understand, like speaking to your audience, but also welcoming and serving other course. Right. Yeah. So yeah,
Kaely Harrod 9:04
I mean, I love that also, because I think, and just like birth, literature, birth images, right, it's so saturated by whiteness. And so it's also just incredibly helpful to change that norm of it, you know, and to, even if all of your clients were white to be like, Look at all these beautiful black bodies in Accra, that is tremendous in and of itself, you know, so that's amazing. I love that about your brand too. Like when I first saw your logo, I was like, Oh, look at all these subtleties that people might not even be like, Yeah, this and this. Yeah, I love that intentionality, though, because that is also part of what we do in doula work, right? Is this kind of like, intentional step by step support that even if the person isn't like, Oh, I see you did this and this and then this, you know, we are doing that in a very methodical way and so that intentionality shows and everything about how you've done your business, which is awesome.
Dominique Jones 10:03
Thank you. Yeah, awesome, really intentional about the work that I want to do. So, you know, my name is mama. That's the name of my company, moms advocate and technical advisor. I was very intentional about wanting this wanting the work that I do to have a huge advocacy piece to it. You know, and just being intentional about where I stand in regards to birthing rights for black birthing families.
Kaely Harrod 10:31
So yeah, yeah. Yeah. Which I think is is enormous and unnecessary, necessary and important thing. So. So I want to talk a little bit about where you kind of have seen yourself grow in the last couple of months. I know our, our relationship. If we haven't even met in person, we can go down this whole path that we live four blocks from each other. I feel like I know you so well. We are eventually going to meet in person. But once we got connected, we initially were connected through lactation, and then through doula stuff. I remember getting so excited. When you were like, I'm a doula. I was like, Oh, me to talk to me about like, Oh, we're not supposed to talk about this. This is a lactation meeting. So where have you seen your business kind of grow and evolve in the last couple of months? And what was helpful about being in the program with the other two ladies that were in there? And like, how has that sort of accelerated some of what you've seen?
Dominique Jones 11:34
Yeah. So first, let me say that, and I think I touched on it earlier, but I honestly do believe that I was called to do this work, that, you know, I'm a Christian. And I believe that God created me to do this work. And a lot of what I do, and a lot of what I hear from my customers, from my clients is, you know, you were a godsend, you were such a blessing, you are my angel, and it's just like, validating, like, okay, and I say that to say that over the last two to three months, things have just been kind of falling in line, right. So my baby Ava is older now. And you know, I can focus more on birth work, which is different because I started you know, with this work when I was still working in education, so and then when the pandemic hit, I started but then I got pregnant, I had a loss and I got pregnant again, I had a baby and it was, you know, taking care of a new a newborn. So now this year is like the year that I'm really focused on like making a thriving successful business and things have just been falling in line including your membership, right, your your coaching program. So I started off, you know, the year with intentionality and focus and clear goals around what I wanted to do. And since I joined your program, I've had some first right, which are really exciting. So I had my first in person, lactation client, which went amazing. Awesome. Yes, I've signed my first big postpartum doula contract. And I you helped me tremendously through a very hard birthing experience, which was supporting a family through a stillbirth. So that was my first, you know, I hope that you know, I never have to do it again. But I do feel like I have the skills to be able to navigate that space with care if I had to do it again. So I think a big part of where I started with your coaching program was kind of like, I don't want to say like, uncertain like, lack wavering confidence. That's that's what it was like, Wait,
Kaely Harrod 14:01
that's a good way to say it. Yeah.
Dominique Jones 14:02
A lot of like, you know, I don't know, am I enough? I don't know if I could do this. I don't know. Yeah, even though I've had all of the trainings and if you are blind certification, yeah, so many certifications. And if you are a black birth worker, you probably can relate to that like impostor syndrome and feeling like whether or not you're enough. So I am now that's another thing that I got since I've been on with you. I am now a dona certified doula birth doula. Yes. I am also certified LMR certified childbirth educator. I'm also a certified breastfeeding specialist. I'm also a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer. And a lot of I'm also now power advocate, which is pregnancy Yes. And last, but I still felt like I don't know if I'm enough and I definitely felt that way. Walking into the support for the stillbirth, but having you so common to help prepare me emotionally and to reassure my confidence that I am enough to go into that space to support that family and didn't just try to also talking through what I could expect when I was there was super helpful. I've been in coaching programs before and my coaches were all amazing. However, they weren't birth coaches right. So there was like a gap a disconnect between really being able to relate to where I am and really being able to guide me to where I want to be. Yeah, a lot of what we hear if you you know, are focused on you know, development you here you want to find someone who is where you want to be and you Kayleigh are definitely where I want to be you know, you're where I want to be, you have so much experience so much knowledge you are giving beyond beyond anything that you know I could have asked for you are confident you have the things that I want to have you have your podcast, you support it clients in different you know, situations you do birth and postpartum and lactation. So you are the coach for me, right? can guide me through what I you know, through what I'm going through, and you can speak to it from a point of experience. So that has been tremendously helpful for me. And equally sad. I felt like you can relate to my wavering confidence, right? Because
Kaely Harrod 16:54
you Oh, 100% Yes. Yeah. Oh, that's that's so many times. Yeah. Yeah. Well, and I it's funny because as I like, started this journey of doula coaching, I was like, this is dueling. But I'm dueling the doulas, right? Like this. And doula is a verb we use that. We use that as a verb, definitely. But it's funny, because even as you're talking, I'm like, Okay, do not do not take away the fact that Dominique did this awesome work of her, like, you're the one who really showed up for your clients and for yourself and for your business. But it goes so far to have someone behind you to be like, I am doing this, right. Right as this, this is how you expect it to look. And it's so funny to me, like, even just hearing you describe it, and like it is so much like birth, like so many times when someone's like, makes eye contact with you, like, Are you certain I can do this? And you're like, Oh, I know you can and they're like, Okay, alright, that's what I need to hear, you know, now I will do it. It's not you, you know, like, I didn't do anything to your business. I didn't. Yeah, I mean, I, I referred one client who did not hire you, if I didn't send you clients, right. But But part of it is that like, ability to walk in what you want to do, because you know, someone else believes you can do it. And it takes a little just like the tiniest bit of that impostor syndrome away, you know, and we all need that. Like, I still firmly think we need a doula for every single part of our life.
Dominique Jones 18:29
We definitely need someone who believes in us. Yeah,
Kaely Harrod 18:32
yeah. 100%. So I also want to hear or I want my listeners to hear what your dreams are for your business, because I've heard a little bit of this. And it's exciting to me where you want to go. And I think it's also just like a wonderful thing to get to dream a little bit about where we're headed as business owners and as doulas, what would you dream for this to look like in a year from now?
Dominique Jones 18:57
Yeah, I'm gonna talk on that. But I do want to move back to that belief piece again, because I do think that it's important for your listeners to hear this because as business owners, especially new business owners, we are really careful and mindful about what we invest in. But I will say in you, and if you have those people close to you who are supporting you, maybe your partner, your husband, your mom, your sister, your best friend, they will support you, but it's nothing like another entrepreneur to believe in you. Because I felt like a lot of times they they're supporting you, but they still have that doubt right that I don't really know maybe you should go and get a nine to five you know that that doubt, right? But having someone who was walking in the space to be able to turn to for guidance is invaluable. So I just wanted to touch on that. Yeah, as far as my goals. So I want to have steady business. Right? I said that this was my first year that I'm really focused on growing a thriving business and I'm not getting pregnant again. I have
Kaely Harrod 20:16
one goal is to not be pregnant. Yes.
Dominique Jones 20:18
I can't tell me. No, no. Nope. Yeah, have separate rooms. Back out, brother.
Kaely Harrod 20:28
I love that. Like for the sake of the business,
Dominique Jones 20:31
buddy, yes, yes, yes, back and out. Anyone who's listening to this, who knows me knows I love babies. And Secretly, I want to have all the babies in the world if I didn't
Kaely Harrod 20:45
hurt that you are with babies all the time outside your own babies.
Dominique Jones 20:52
But I want to have steady business, I want to have, you know, three birthing clients a month, I want to have steady lactation work, I want to have a good amount of postpartum work. My goal is like 12 to 15 hours a week for postpartum client. In addition to that, I want to get experience serving different types of families as well as different type of birthing experiences. So I will say, I do have business secured through like late summer. So that which makes me so
Kaely Harrod 21:26
happy. Yeah.
Dominique Jones 21:30
Is happening. It is happening, it is happening. So I want to have my one demand childbirth classes. Yep, create it. Eventually, I do want to kind of move into like an agency and coaching. But that's kind of a long term, long term goals, right? So I want to really dig deep into every aspect of my business and know it very, very well, to be able to then transition over to hiring doulas and lactation professionals in childbirth educators to carry on the work.
Kaely Harrod 22:14
Yeah, that's huge dude. Because we I mean, along, going back to like your mission of supporting Black families, especially, we need more black owned agencies, you know, like that's because that furthers that mission in such a specific and tangible way. But also, if you're hiring black, doulas, you're also furthering that part of the profession, which is tremendous, you know, so that's super exciting. Yeah, that's really what I want to do have a greater because there's only so that I can serve so once I really my capacity, I want to start, you know, hiring out so we can reach more blood. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. And it's it is exciting to think about, like the, the wider net that you can have in terms of influence when you're doing at lactation, you're doing postpartum, you're doing birth, you're doing childbirth, Ed, because when you're just in one of those, it, there's only so much you can do in terms of reach, you know, because it's like, I remember at some point, someone saying, like, do you want your business to grow? And I'm like, do I want to go to more births? I'm not sure. I was like, I don't know if I can. But it is it is a way to sort of look at this business as like a growing expansive living organism, right that like, right now, this is sort of the edge of what I'm imagining. And also it can grow beyond that, which I think is just awesome. So yeah, and now
Dominique Jones 23:43
one of the good things about the pandemic was the, the access to like virtual support, right. So that allows me to be able to serve a little bit more families, you know, through virtual birth and postpartum doula support as well as telehealth through lactation. However, there's still like a cap, there's still a limit, right? Especially when we're focused on providing like quality care. And you know, really supporting your clients and getting to know them and really showing up for them and a way that you want someone to show up for you. And I think one of the greatest, like, benefits of me and my services is that I'm on that childbirth journey to right, so I just had a baby. So I know how I want it professionals to show up for me, and I'm really intentional about showing up for them in that way.
Kaely Harrod 24:41
Yeah, yeah. You also have three little people who are very clear about their desires for you in their life.
Dominique Jones 24:51
So one of the great things about your coaching program was the tools and the resources that you have around sure Darkshore and organization and, you know, just planning to be able to have sustainable work, you know, so the batching of the content for the social media, the spreadsheet that you have for tracking the clients and the births, because I don't have that many clients, but I will say, they do start to kind of be like, Oh, who was what, what, what, what, who's what? What did I do? So like that hospital? That is right, right. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. So having some organization and some systems to be able to work efficiently is critical.
Kaely Harrod 25:31
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I, I, that was one portion of this as I was like, imagining what it would look like that I was like, Oh, I know, this is helpful, because I had to make all of this up as I went along. But it's so incredibly important. You know, like, it's important as a business owner to not be like, I have a million things in my head. And that's the only place they live. Yeah, so I was like, Oh, I'm gonna give you all the resources, because I do not want you to have to do what I did to make these up.
Dominique Jones 26:02
Yeah. And then, you know, the greatest thing about I don't want to say that probably keeps the greatest, the greatest, because it's all great. But another great thing about your program is the community, right? So being able to connect with the other birth workers in the group and learn from and grow with them. And, you know, just built relationships built community is amazing.
Kaely Harrod 26:29
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And that's the part that I'm most excited to see expand this year, you know, as more and more people are in the program to get to like, watch you guys also support each other. It's pretty awesome. So, yeah, so most of our listeners are newer doulas, and I would love to hear if you could give one piece of advice to a new doula, what would it be? You can do two if there's no more than one.
Dominique Jones 26:58
Yeah, you know, I would say get you a doula for your business.
Kaely Harrod 27:06
Like I did not say Dominique to come on until.
Dominique Jones 27:12
Honestly, you know, I say this to like every pregnant person that I come in contact with. Yeah. My one piece of advice for you would be to hire a doula. And I always say it doesn't have to be me. But I know I have never and I, you know, God Willing will never birth without a doula. And I think you hit the nail on the head that, you know, coaching for your business is like having a doula. And I think that we could all use a doula and business doula a business coach, with experience, and you'd have a wealth of knowledge and experience,
Kaely Harrod 27:59
yeah, yeah. No, I appreciate that. So one thing that we I'm gonna put in the show notes is how you can connect with Dominique. But Dominique, what is your favorite way to connect with people that want to meet you or learn more about your services?
Dominique Jones 28:15
Yeah, you can just send me a DM on Instagram or Facebook. I am at ma ma, ma, ma, birth services on all of those social platforms. So just send me a DM. That's the best way.
Kaely Harrod 28:32
Amazing. I'll make sure that your Instagram and Facebook are in the show notes. I am very excited that you came on today to talk to us and I'm so surprised that we didn't get any of your special visitors.
Dominique Jones 28:45
I said look, do not come down here. Not calm on me. I will be up in a little bit. Okay. And I said, Did you hear me?
Kaely Harrod 28:57
Okay, we got it. We got it. Awesome. Well enjoy the rest of your day for everyone listening. We will be back soon with another episode. Until then I wish you well informed consent filled doula business experiences.
Unknown Speaker 29:20
Thanks for joining us
Kaely Harrod 29:21
for this episode of the doula Tips and Tips podcast. If you learned something today, or had an aha moment we'd love for you to share that on Instagram and tag us at Herat doula, so we can celebrate alongside you. If you found this podcast helpful. We would so appreciate you taking a second to leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast app that helps other doulas find us as we do this work together. This podcast is intended as educational and entertainment it is not medical advice or business advice. Please consult your own medical or legal team for your own needs around
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
The process of branching into doula work full-time can be intimidating. Especially when life keeps on going at a fast pace around you. Today’s conversation is with one of my first Doula Coaching students, Dominique Jones. I’m so excited to introduce you and let you hear a bit of her story in this doula work. Here’s a sneak peak into what she had to say:
“And it was [after the birth of my second child] that I was like, This is what I want to do. I want to help more women who look like me change that birthing narrative. So they can have more peaceful, more enjoyable, more joyous childbirth experiences. And it was kind of then that was really a pivotal turning point for me because I had worked in education for 13 years. And all of those years, I had no clue what I wanted to do. I had a lot of skills, a lot of talent and people were like, You're good at this and you're good at that and you're good at everything, but I felt so unfulfilled and so lost and It was then that I was like, This is what I want to do. And that's when I started.”
Meet Dominique Jones of MAMA Birth Services
Dominique Jones is an Urban mom from Washington, DC. She has three young girls and is also the founder and CEO of a birth services company called MAMA, mom's advocate and maternal advisor LLC. She educates, empowers and assists families with having safe, peaceful and joyous childbirth experiences through childbirth education, postpartum doula services and lactation counseling.
CONNECT with Dominique on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mamabirthservices/
CONNECT with Kaely on TikTok or Instagram
https://www.tiktok.com/@doulacoach
https://www.instagram.com/Harroddoula/
This podcast is hosted by the Birth Prep Blueprint - comprehensive Childbirth Education for expectant parents to feel calm, prepared and confident about labor and birth. Podcast listeners (that’s YOU!) get 10% off! Use the link below and coupon code PODCAST
https://www.harroddoulaservices.com/birth-prep-blueprint
** The Birth Prep Blueprint is offered for only $20 to anyone who qualifies for any kind of social services (meaning that a family has a lower income to the point that they would qualify for WIC or SNAP or Medicaid, etc.). No need to disclose your income, just which service you qualify for and the link can be sent right over. Just email kaely@harroddoulaservices.com to learn more.
If you like this episode, don't forget to share it to your Instagram stories and tag me @harroddoula
Kaely Daily is produced by Kaely Harrod of Harrod Doula Services
It is sponsored by The Birth Prep Blueprint Childbirth Class
Music by Madirfan: Hidden Place on Pixabay
