By Samantha Garcia Gagnon, Pitt Meadows Doula + Photographer

Confession time - I am pretty sure when I walked into the hospital for my first birth, I looked like I was moving in full time. But now - with our team having supported hundreds of families, we have certainly streamlined our recommendation list on what to bring when our clients ask us! Like with most things birth and baby related, keep things simple. There is zero need to stress out over what to bring. This simple check list take the stress out of your packing!

By Samantha Garcia Gagnon, Pitt Meadows Doula, Photographer and Bebo Mia Business Mentor

When I first started my doula business, I was overwhelmed with what my first steps should be. Vancouver is filled with so many awesome doulas. How was I going to stand out? How was I going to get clients? It was really early on in my doula career that I first met Bianca and Natasha from Bebo Mia. I had already knew of the company for their Maternal Support Practitioner (doula) training so when they launched the Doula Business School, I had a strong pull that told me I needed to sign up.

Over those 6 weeks, I received step by step support and guidance on setting up my business and building my brand. I have always had a very creative side, and being able to tap into that, coming up with unique ideas and interesting, stand out branding, was so much fun for me. After the end of the course, the Don't Doula It Yourself online community was born where the support never ends. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to watch this group grow, connect with doulas all over the world and share ideas on how we can all make our businesses better and stronger. 

My favourite thing about Bebo Mia is that no matter how large their organization grows, the team is so committed to making sure you get the support you need. You are never just a number. Every single member is an essential part and will receive the support they require. They also make it really clear that you can both be client focused while still treating your business like a business!  With their guidance, our team has experienced such wonderful growth so quickly. 

When Bianca and Natasha (and Alana!) asked me to join the team as the Business Mentor for the DDIY community, I JUMPED at the opportunity. I love seeing people flourish - be it my clients through their births and parenthood, or other doulas as they discover what is possible in their business! To be able to be invited to join this team that helped me so much so that I can then help more people the way they have helped me is so wonderful! I am so looking forward to supporting the wonderful doulas in our community as they build their birth businesses!