Starting a new business can be daunting, especially if this is your first experience with independent entrepreneurship. Check out last week's post: 5 Business Ideas for Doulas Who Aren't Good at Business.
This coming December, our DTI doula members will be treated to a guest speaker who will walk through the pros & cons of working for a doula agency and how to set yourself up for success with agency work. But if you're the kind of person who sees the benefit in taking matters into your own hands, setting up a basic landing spot for your doula practice might be the way to go! Plus, many birth workers keep an active solo practice while also working for an agency. This can be a great way to build in a safety net in case your agency relationship sours or is just no longer serving you.
Here are 10 steps you can take to get started with a solo doula practice. Take a deep breath, let it out, and take things one step at a time. If you get stuck, remember to ask for help! Ready? Let's go!
1. Choose a business name. A short, unique and easy-to-say name is generally best. Make sure it's not already in use. But if you go with "Your Name Doula Services," that's perfectly fine too.
2. Sign up for a free GoogleVoice number. A Gmail account is required.
3. Sign up for a website builder, such as Squarespace. Purchase a URL / web address / domain that matches your business name. Again, short, unique and easy to spell will be best.
4. Find someone to help you set up your website template if you need assistance. Try to find someone who is knowledgeable about setting up your page titles, headlines, paragraphs and image names (example: atlantadoula.PNG) to match the key words that you would like to be found on through a Google search.
5. Set up a domain based email address. Example: yourname@soothinghands.com
6. Have a logo designed. Make sure the logo will fit easily and look great regardless of where it is posted / printed: a small card, a website, or a t-shirt. You may want to consider having several versions created for different purposes, all with a consistent look.
7. Order 50-150 business cards. Showcase your business name, contact information (phone & email) and your new logo!
8. Create a service agreement. For starters, be sure to include:
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- What you will provide
- When you will be available to provide it
- What you will NOT provide
- How much is owed and when payments are due
- A refund policy
- How the client should reach you during pregnancy and during labor (protocol may be different for each)
- What your back-up doula policy is in the event that you are not available when the client needs you
- An inclement weather protocol & policy
- As section on client responsibilities, to reinforce what their doula is not responsible for
9. File for your business structure, probably an LLC. An LLC is by far the most common business structure for small businesses who wish to protect their personal assets and keep them separate from any money earned through the business. There could be reasons to consider moving into a different classification later. Check with your tax preparer for recommendations.
10. File for an EIN. This is your employee identification number. It serves your business in the same way your social security number is designed to serve you as an individual. An EIN will be necessary if you wish to open a business bank account, provide invoices to clients so their insurance company can reimburse them, and more.Some closing thoughts
Keeping your personal and business finances separate by putting all of your doula income into a business bank account from day one is ideal. However, remember not to get too caught up in any of these recommendations, as ALL of them can come later. You don't need any of them to start! Don't let anything hold you back from offering your support as a doula!