Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Kaplan.
Hi, Alyssa; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started as a mom who felt the utter lack of support around motherhood. I struggled. I felt alone without a community or family to support me and my new life as a mother. So, I moved across the country and closer to my family. I felt called to support mothers and new families, so I started working as a birth assistant at a local birth center and taught prenatal yoga classes. Then, I realized this was a reoccurring feeling. Moms felt under-supported and alone. I got trained to become a doula, meaning a woman serving women. And I started for several years as a solo doula. Then, one day, I was hired for a birth, and the mama said that she felt like she wanted to hire another doula just for additional support. Her first birth was very traumatic, so I happily agreed. She hired Heather, now my business partner. Heather and I met to discuss this particular client and her case. But we also witnessed magic in the making. In Joy Birth was born that year. Heather and I joined forces, and we’ve continued to grow. In Joy Birth has now employed over 15 doulas. We’ve added other things, such as a mentorship program where Heather and I mentor new doulas and help them become successful businesswomen.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s mostly a smooth road. Upon starting our business, we’ve had only a few small hiccups, such as classification. We’ve sussed it out now, and we’re smooth sailing now.
We’ve been impressed with In Joy Birth LLC, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart?
In Joy Birth was “conceived” by Heather Rich and Alyssa Kaplan after a client hired the two solo doulas to support her upcoming birth. We offer individualized birth and postpartum support to the Central Florida area. During COVID, Heather and I grew another facet of our business, mentoring new doulas and offering community doula care at a reduced cost to families who can’t afford the current rate of a doula. An experienced doula costs anywhere from $1000 – $2000. Our “Budget Friendly” doulas, as we call them, aka our mentees, study under us for 7 months and shadow/assist births to gain experience and clients! Our collective of doulas charges $700 for comprehensive care. We also offer individualized in-home postpartum care to families needing daytime and overnight support. It feels perfect to fill in these gaps in our healthcare system. Postpartum can be a terrifying and lonely time for many women. And many families struggle alone or in silence. This doesn’t need to be the case! In Joy Birth can help offset that.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
We love supporting our community! We’d love to hear from you if you’re in the health and wellness field and have something to offer new mothers and families. We offer many resources to our clients and would love the reciprocity. Word of mouth is our most successful form of marketing. From one trusted practitioner to another, people share our name.
Pricing:
- Experienced doula rate: $1750
- Mentee doula rate: $700
- Mentorship: $2200
- Postpartum Care: $27 – $33
Contact Info:
- Website: www.injoybirth.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/in_joy_birth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/injoybirth
Image Credits
Photos by: Koontz Photography
