The Doula Darcy Podcast

If you've ever thought about adding passive income to your doula business but felt overwhelmed by building a course from scratch this episode is for you.

Today I'm joined by Lizzie Bolliger (aka Fierce Lizzie), founder of Unmedicated Academy, to talk about what it really takes to build an online offer as a birth worker.

We cover:

• How Lizzie went from high school math teacher to full-time online childbirth educator

• The truth about "passive income" (and why marketing never stops)

• Why most doulas never finish the digital course they start

• The burnout that comes from only trading hours for dollars

• And a done-for-you way to add childbirth education to your business

Lizzie now works about 15 hours a week, homeschools her 3 kids, earns what she used to as a full-time teacher, and helps doulas license her comprehensive childbirth curriculum instead of building their own from scratch.

If you're craving a hybrid doula business model, one that gives you more freedom, flexibility, and income, this conversation will open your eyes to what's possible.

👉 Grab Lizzie's free curriculum licensing guide here. Join My Doula Village to get access to Lizzie & Darcy's deeper dive on this subject: https://douladarcy.com/my-doula-village-4

Register for Darcy's upcoming free masterclass on Building a Hybrid Doula Business Model here:

https://douladarcy.com/masterclass

The Power of In-Person Events for Doulas - Retreats, Summits, and Putting Yourself in the Room with Doula Darcy & Jodi Congdon We're trying something new and doing a joint podcast episode of The Doula Darcy Podcast and The Birth Boss Podcast today! In this episode, Darcy & Jodi discuss why in-person events are a powerful catalyst for business growth, mindset shifts, and community in the doula world. They share their first experiences attending doula conferences (including DONA International and CAPPA) and describe the motivation, connection, and expanded vision that comes from being face-to-face with others who share the same passion and/or who are achieving at a higher level. They talk about investing in yourself as an investment in your business, how even "bad" events offer valuable lessons, and why hosting events can be a core part of building a sustainable business. The conversation includes how they created the Birth Worker Retreat in Clearwater, Florida after realizing doulas needed marketing and business-focused gatherings, how the retreat evolved over the years, and the impact they've seen in returning attendees' progress. They also highlight the value of honest feedback from peers, built-in free time for deeper conversations (including "hot tub networking"), and the importance of doulas hosting local in-person meetups. The Birthworker Retreat - January 2027 in Clearwater, FL https://douladarcy.com/the-birthworker-retreat The hosts share upcoming events: a Maine retreat for members of My Doula Village: https://douladarcy.com/doula-retreat-maine The Birth Boss CEO Summit (April 10–12 in Boston) featuring boardroom-style strategy: https://www.hiptoheart.com/birth-boss-ceo-summit They close by encouraging listeners to attend events, create the event they wish existed, and recognize that the doula market isn't saturated, there are more families needing care than available doulas. 02:51 Why In-Person Events Matter for Your Business 03:50 First Doula Conferences & That 'Rocket on My Back' Feeling 05:46 Get in the Room: Bigger Vision, Better Mentors, Faster Growth 09:03 The Investment Question: Paying to Attend (and Why It's Worth It) 12:57 Events Aren't Profitable? Why Retreats & Summits Still Win 14:24 Designing Events That Fit You (Retreat vs Summit) + Community Care 16:40 No 'Wasted' Events: Learning from Flops, People, and Perspective 18:54 Perfectionism, Risk, and Lessons from Free Solo Climber Alex Honnold 26:27 Birth Worker Retreat Origin Story: 'Why Doesn't Doula World Have This?' 27:04 How the Retreat Evolved: Refining the Vibe, Location, and Experience 29:11 Why People Rebook Before They Leave: Proof the Retreat Works 29:39 Tracking Year-to-Year Growth (and the Tears That Come With It) 30:20 Success Stories: Launching New Offers & Leveling Up Fast 31:33 Real Feedback, Focus-Group Energy & "Hot Tub Networking" 33:43 Bringing Family Along: Modeling Work + Vacation for Your Kids 35:12 Career Paths Aren't Linear: Skills Transfer & Kids Seeing You Differently 39:36 What's Next: Upcoming Retreats, Masterminds & the CEO Summit 44:33 Upscale Experiences, Energetics & the Karma of Giving Value 50:59 There's Room for Everyone: Mature vs. "Saturated" Doula Markets 52:59 Final Takeaway: Events Move the Needle + Links in the Show Notes

Curious about pricing strategies for doulas? It's your business, your decision!

Explore why some doulas showcase prices online while others don't, and what might work best for you.

Register for the free webinar that Darcy mentioned on How to Get Doula Clients here: https://douladarcy.com/webinar

RESOURCES MENTIONED 📥 FREE Doula Client-Getting Cheat Sheet → https://douladarcy.com/how-to-start-g... 📸 Follow Darcy on Instagram → 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.

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/