In this episode, I'm coming to you from sunny Clearwater, Florida a few days ahead of The Birthworker Retreat. I share the behind-the-scenes of how I intentionally designed this event (and my life!) to match my personal needs and seasonal rhythms. From walks on the beach and hotel massages to the mindset shifts that took me from burnt-out martyr to thriving doula business owner, I walk you through how this lifestyle didn't happen by accident. It happened by methodical design.

I'm breaking down how you, too, can start aligning your business with the life you truly want, starting with small, sacred decisions.

What You'll Learn:

• Why I intentionally arrive early to events I host (and how it changes everything)

• How I turned my desire for winter sunshine into a business opportunity

• The key mindset shift that helped me move from martyrdom to empowerment

• Tiny ways to care for yourself as a business owner and mom

• How every "yes" is also a "no" - and how to choose wisely

• Encouragement to stop resenting others and start building what you want

Links Mentioned:

• Birth Worker Retreat www.TheBirthworkerRetreat.com

• My Instagram (for behind-the-scenes content!) https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/ About The Doula Darcy:

  Doula Business Coach & Marketing Strategist

  Since 2010, Darcy has built a thriving postpartum doula business (now doula agency) in New Hampshire. With her team of postpartum doulas handling the day-to-day in person clients, Darcy spends her time and energy helping other doulas grow & scale their businesses with a focus on sustainability and not burning themselves out. Prior to having her own 3 children and becoming doula, Darcy worked for 10 years in the advertising and marketing world. She was able to replace her corporate income quicker than most new doulas because of her previous career & expertise. Darcy now uses this experience to help other doulas build their own thriving practices.

There comes a moment in many doula businesses when everything is technically "working"… You're getting clients. You're good at what you do. You're busy, maybe sometimes too busy.

And yet, the income still isn't where it needs to be.

In this episode, I'm talking about the very real (and very common) moment when doulas hit an income ceiling and what to do when you realize that trading hours for dollars simply isn't sustainable long-term.

I share my own story of reaching this point a few years into my postpartum doula business: juggling multiple families in a day, racing across town, coming home exhausted to my own kids, and realizing that no matter how hard I worked, there were only so many hours available. And the numbers just weren't adding up.

If you've ever thought:

• "I can't raise my rates any higher…"

• "I love this work, but I need to make more money"

• "I don't want to burn out or quit, but something has to change"

This episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why so many doulas hit an income ceiling 2–3 years into their business

• The emotional reality of loving the work but needing more financial stability

• When (and how) to raise your rates - even if you're newer than other doulas in your area

• How to increase your income without adding more in-person hours

• Smart ways to enhance your doula packages with add-ons and virtual services

• How to create downsell offers for families who can't hire you as their full-service doula

• Why digital products and virtual sessions can be a game-changer

• The role agencies and passive income streams can play in breaking the income ceiling

• How to build a doula business that supports your family, your future, and your longevity in this work

I also talk about the importance of thinking like a "grown-up" business owner so that you are setting rates that allow you to save for taxes, retirement, your kids' activities, and your future - not just scrape by.

There is a way to work fewer hours, help more families, and earn more money. And it doesn't require sacrificing your health, your family, or your love for this work.

Ready to take the next step?

If you're feeling stuck at this income ceiling and want support figuring out your unique doula "sweet spot", I'd love to help.

• Join My Doula Village for ongoing support, real conversations, and strategy

• Or explore 1:1 coaching with me to design a business model and marketing plan that actually fits your life

This is the work I love most, to help doulas stay in this profession for the long haul, without burnout, resentment, or financial stress.

💛 Thanks for listening! And I hope this episode gave you at least one nugget you can take with you.

About The Doula Darcy: Darcy Sauers, aka The Doula Darcy, is a certified postpartum doula, marketing expert, and doula business coach who helps doulas & sleep consultants build sustainable, profitable businesses they love. Through her signature membership, My Doula Village, one-on-one coaching and a top-ranked doula podcast, Darcy empowers doulas to step confidently into their role as business owners, without burning out or giving up their calling. 👉 Learn more at: www.thedouladarcy.com join The Doula Village: www.MyDoulaVillage.com 📲 Follow along on Instagram: @TheDoulaDarcy

If you're a people pleaser (and if you're a doula… chances are high), this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Darcy unpacks the quiet but powerful connection between the work doulas do for their clients — teaching them to advocate for themselves, ask questions, and trust their gut — and the places we don't do that in our own lives and businesses.

From birth rooms to living rooms, doulas are incredible at reminding parents they don't need permission to make decisions that feel right for them. But when it comes to our businesses? Our pricing? Our packages? Our boundaries? We often find ourselves waiting for approval that never comes.

In this episode, Darcy challenges you to notice where you're asking for permission, hedging, or saying yes out of obligation and invites you to start running your doula business in a way that actually feeds your soul, your family, and your life.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• The surprising parallel between birth advocacy and business decision-making

• Where doulas unknowingly ask for permission instead of trusting themselves

• How people pleasing shows up in packages, boundaries, and marketing

• A powerful reminder that you can always change course

If you've been playing small, waiting, or holding back because you're worried about what others will think, this episode is your reminder that you don't need permission to build a business that works for you.

About: The Doula Darcy Darcy Sauers, aka The Doula Darcy, is a certified postpartum doula, marketing expert, and doula business coach who helps doulas & sleep consultants build sustainable, profitable businesses they love. Through her signature membership, My Doula Village, one-on-one coaching and this top-ranked doula podcast, Darcy empowers doulas to step confidently into their role as business owners, without burning out or giving up their calling. 👉 Learn more at: www.thedouladarcy.com Join My Doula Village: www.MyDoulaVillage.com 📲 Follow along on Instagram: @TheDoulaDarcy

Welcome to a real talk episode with Doula Darcy, recorded during that deliciously confusing week between Christmas and New Year's. In this solo episode, Darcy shares a side of her that you may not have seen much before: her passion for personal finance and how it ties directly into doula sustainability and self-care.

If you're ready to step into 2026 with more financial clarity, less stress, and a business that supports your life, not drains it, this episode is your guide.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why paying yourself well is the ultimate form of self-care

• How to calculate exactly how much you need to earn as a doula

• The 4 major financial areas doulas should focus on:

  1. Your personal salary

  2. Tax planning (with practical, stress-reducing strategies)

  3. Business expenses (including tools and software)

  4. Retirement savings (yes, even if you're just starting!)

• How to automate your finances to reduce decision fatigue

• Why your profit account is your reward, and how to enjoy it guilt-free

This episode is packed with practical strategies, mindset shifts, and encouragement for doulas at any stage of business.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

• Doula Darcy's favorite business tool: eDoula.biz (mention Doula Darcy for 20% off)

• Join My Doula Village for a deeper dive on this topic, resources, and the upcoming 7-day Doula Finance Challenge

About The Doula Darcy Darcy Sauers, aka The Doula Darcy, is a certified postpartum doula, marketing expert, and doula business coach who helps doulas & sleep consultants build sustainable, profitable businesses they love. Through her signature membership, My Doula Village, one-on-one coaching and this top-ranked doula podcast, Darcy empowers doulas to step confidently into their role as business owners, without burning out or giving up their calling.

👉 Learn more at: www.thedouladarcy.com

join The Doula Village: www.MyDoulaVillage.com 📲 Follow along on Instagram: @TheDoulaDarcy

In this episode, The Doula Darcy shares three simple year-end money moves she makes every December that reliably increase revenue in the next year.

These steps take less than an hour each, but they compound in a powerful way.

Most doulas try to "hustle harder," but earning more starts with strengthening what's already working. Darcy breaks down how to raise your rates confidently, reduce your taxable income, and increase referrals through gratitude and intentional follow-up.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why scrolling your photos from January can transform how you feel about the year you just lived

• The easiest time of year to raise your rates (and a script for announcing it)

• Why tracking mileage is basically free money

• A quick end-of-year gratitude ritual that boosts referrals organically

• How to identify your highest-value clients and referral sources

• Why expressing gratitude expands abundance in your business

Homework after listening: ✔ Grab your phone → scroll to Jan 1 photos → make a gratitude list ✔ Review your pricing + update pricing page + contract ✔ Log missing miles + download a tracking app if needed ✔ Send 3 gratitude cards or gifts this week

If you loved the episode… DM Darcy on Instagram @thedouladarcy and share one business win from 2025 you're grateful for.

The Doula Darcy

Meet Darcy Sauers | Doula Business & Marketing Coach

The Doula Darcy (a.k.a Darcy Sauers) is a Doula Business Coach & Marketing Strategist who combines her unique background: 10 years in advertising and 15 years as a postpartum doula to help other doulas build thriving businesses. Learn more at https://douladarcy.com

I share the behind-the-scenes of hosting my doula agency's biggest holiday party yet on today's episode.

Hear all about how I strategically planned it to be both meaningful and a tax write-off!

You'll hear how I:

• Used smart tax strategies (like the Augusta Rule!) to host a chef-catered dinner at home

• Created special moments for my team, including custom holiday cards

• Involved my teen boys in the prep, teaching them what mom really does

• Pivoted on gifts and ended up offering heartfelt bonuses instead

Whether you're an agency owner or a solo doula, this episode is packed with ideas and inspiration for building community, celebrating your people, and integrating more heart (and strategy) into your year-end traditions.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

• Why in-person connection still matters in a digital world

• How to plan a holiday party with intention

• The small touches that made a big impact on my team and clients

Follow The Doula Darcy on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy

Learn more:

www.thedouladarcy.com

This week, I'm narrowing in on a question many people (including my parents) still ask me: What exactly does a business coach do? And why do you need one?

I'm breaking it down through personal stories from my competitive gymnastics and diving days, showing how having a coach - whether on the mat, on the diving board, or in your business—can be the difference between floundering and flying.

You'll hear:

• Why coaching isn't just for athletes

• How a good coach acts like a "spotter" in your business

• The importance of trust, accountability, and confidence in coaching relationships

• What coaching has meant for my business growth, and my clients'

• Why hiring a coach is one of the smartest things you can do to fast-track your progress and avoid costly mistakes

Whether you're new to business or scaling your services, this episode is packed with honest insights, a few laughs (hello, diving smacks), and a strong case for putting someone in your corner who believes in you and knows what they're doing.

About The Doula Darcy - Since 2010, Darcy has built a thriving postpartum doula business (now agency)in New Hampshire. With her team of doulas handling the in-person clients, Darcy now spends her time & energy helping other doulas create passive income streams and hybrid doula business models so that they are earning more money, working less hours and helping more people.

Darcy's super power is creating high-impact marketing strategies

The Doula Darcy uses her unique background of 10 years in mainstream advertising and 15 years as a postpartum doula to help other doulas feel fired up to create impactful doula businesses that don't burn them out.

Learn more about her coaching programs here: https://douladarcy.com/doula-coach

Follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/

This week I share how I'm restructuring my business this winter to better support my family and my energy, without the mom guilt.

I talk about:

• Why I'm temporarily closing my membership, My Doula Village

• The real reason I'm not building a big team (and why you don't have to either)

• What bro marketers get wrong, and what actually works

• How entrepreneurship is really a journey of self-discovery

• The power of getting in rooms (IRL or virtual) with people doing what you want to do

Whether you're building an online business, offering in-person services, or just dreaming of doing things differently, this episode will help you see what's actually possible without overcomplicating things.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Join My Doula Village before doors close: https://douladarcy.com/my-doula-village

• Learn more about the Birth Worker Retreat (January 20–22, Clearwater, FL): https://douladarcy.com/the-birthworker-retreat

• DM me on Instagram and tell me what part of this episode resonated with you: https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/

Someone asked Darcy on Instagram how doulas can be incorporating CEO days their doula business. Darcy, who prefers the term 'Island days' over 'CEO days,' shares her personal strategies for maintaining a balance between work and relaxation. She shares the importance of taking time to work ON your business rather than just IN it. Whether through designated weekly hours, full days off, or attending business retreats, Darcy emphasizes the value of stepping out of your routine to spark creativity and achieve business growth. 00:25 What is a CEO Day? 01:22 Introducing Island Days 02:12 The Importance of Taking Breaks 05:31 Business Retreats and Their Benefits 07:25 Practical Tips for Scheduling CEO Time 11:04 The Value of Community and Networking 18:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Join My Doula Village — Get in on the next Maine Doula Retreat! https://douladarcy.com/my-doula-village DM me on Instagram @TheDoulaDarcy and let me know you listened to this episode. https://www.instagram.com/thedouladarcy/

Want to meet the Business Coach Behind the The Doula Business Coach?

What happens when your business coach becomes one of your strongest cheerleaders and biggest expanders? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain and inviting you into a very personal (and often hilarious) conversation with my business coach of three years, the incredible Amber Lilyestrom.

Amber isn't just a business coach & brand strategist. She's a poet, a mom, and a professional crazy cat lady (yes, we explain). She's also the reason I've taken my doula coaching business to the next level. Together, we talk about designing businesses around the lives we actually want to live and the importance of being brave enough to want what you really want.

If you're a doula looking for permission to create a business that truly fits your life (and not the other way around), this episode is your green light. Amber and I get real about money mindset, "right-sized" businesses, and the inner work that makes outer success possible.

✨ Bonus: We also share the behind-the-scenes story of a ridiculous, stormy, cat-filled, Taylor Swift inspired Reel we filmed together - because business should be fun.

This episode is for you if:

• You're a doula who knows there's a next level waiting for you

• You want to get paid for being yourself and doing what you're naturally good at

• You crave deep, authentic mentorship that goes beyond strategy

• You want to build a business that fuels your whole life—not just your bank account

🎧 Tune in and hear why our quirky, soul-sister dynamic might just be the spark you need to fall back in love with your business (or finally go all in).

Find Amber at: https://amberlilyestrom.com

Amber's Podcast - Homeward with Amber Lilyestrom

https://amberlilyestrom.com/podcast

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberlilyestrom/