We were lucky to catch up with Marissa Clarke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I am a dedicated advocate for womb + yoni wellness, passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to reproductive health, self-care, and empowerment. As a Certified Full-Spectrum Doula (specializing in birth + postpartum doula support services), trained by Ancient Song in Brooklyn, NY and a Certified Peristeam/Yoni Steam Facilitator (PFc), I provide holistic support through every stage of life – from menstruation and fertility to pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. My love for herbalism plays a key role in my approach, as I incorporate plant-based healing traditions to help restore balance and vitality. With a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSc), I blend modern wisdom, ensuring that my clients receive well-rounded, nurturing care.

So what lead me here? I never knew either of my grandmothers because their gentle souls left the earthly realm at 45 & 38 respectively. My paternal grandmother (Elouise) gave birth to her 5th and final child – as the hospital left afterbirth inside of her, causing her to die from an infection days later. My maternal grandmother (and namesake), Pennie, died from ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancer.

When I was 22 years old, I was admitted into a highly competitive Physician Assistant (PA) program in Brooklyn, NY. Despite being urged by my Anatomy professor to consider surgery as my practice (I was rather nice with a scalpel and comfortable dissecting the medically donated cadavers in Anatomy lab), I knew that I wanted to go into OB/GYN. This are of science hit too close to home for me. It was confirmed when I held ovaries and uteruses in my hands – my fascination grew.

Months into my didactic year, I left the program – I had my reasons. Years passed and I was diagnosed with a uterine fibroid. Another year passed and I was diagnosed (by an extremely disconnected and robotic PA that cared NOTHING for me or my womb) with another uterine fibroid. I left that Upper West Side medical office distraught, confused, defeated, and angry. Distraught that my womb had now succumb to the epidemic plaguing the wombs of so many melantated wom(b)en, confused as to how I was now being impacted (being as how I was super slim, in shape, ate really healthy, and had an active lifestyle), and lastly angry because of the treatment by the medical professional that was supposed to help.

On that day, after taking an Uber back to my BK brownstone apt, I cried and then focused – I decided that I was going to retake all my science courses (as they’d timed out) to return to the PA program I left some 10+ years prior. I HAD to help my sistas because I didn’t want them to have the same experience that I had.

Months into my studies, I excelled academically and felt certain that my decision to return to school was a working in my favor – then something happened. I saw what was happening in the healthcare system and knew that I would never prescribe poison to the women that I would service – so after completing three semesters, I stopped my studies.

At this point, I’d incorporating weekly yoni steaming (also known as vaginal steaming or v-steaming – is a safe, natural, ancestrally grounded and sacred practice meant to help wom(b)men connect, release, and heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually) into my self-care regiment. Yoni steaming was a real game changer for me.

Eventually, I started studying more about herbalism & learning how herbs could heal me from the inside out. My horrific cramps stopped. My monthly flow started to lighten. Full-circle moment – as I heal myself, I can heal others. It was a no-brainer for me to enroll in a Peristeam/Yoni steam 9-module certification course as a way to apply for newfound love for herbalism and apply my past science/medicine background in a non-Western manner. Learning about womb care. the history of steaming, and more about to use herbs aligned effortlessly.

This is why I created Pennies Peace Womb Wellness – to help women EMPOWER their yoni, HEAL their wombs, and RECLAIM their divine feminine energy!!!

I lovingly create and offer an array of yoni oils which: (1) relieve vaginal dryness & lock in moisture, (2) help to maintain healthy vaginal pH, (3) help prevent unpleasant odors, (4) reduce inflammation & soothes irritation and/or itching caused by shaving, waxing, or tight clothing, (5) help fight yeast infections & bacterial vaginosis, and (6) boost confidence – by enhancing overall comfort, promoting a feeling of cleanliness + confidence in intimate areas). Additionally, I create herbal yoni steam blends that: (1) support menstrual health – reducing cramps, regulating irregular periods, and relieving PMS, (2) help rid the body of polyps, cysts, and/or fibroids, (3) detox the womb, (4) enhance sexual pleasure, (5) expedite postpartum recovery, (6) aid in ridding the vagina of recurring yeast infections and/or bacterial vaginosis, and (7) aid in fertility issues) and will soon offering in-home yoni steaming services.

Marissa , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Most of this was shared in my previous response (*** listed below), but I will elaborate here with responses to things not yet addressed:

What problem I solve for my clients: I help women deal with an array of womb/vaginal issues, including but not limited to: recurring yeast infections, recurring bacterial vaginosis, missing/absent or long periods, heavy bleeding, painful cramps, vaginal odor, sexual discomfort, cysts, fibroids, polyps, and inflammation/irritation (from shaving, waxing, and sugaring) to name a few…

What sets my apart from others: What sets me apart from others is my deep interest in holistic care (with herbalism) as well as my education in Health Sciences (BSc).

What am I most proud of: I am most proud of answering my calling and stepping into my purpose to both heal myself and to heal women around me.

Main things I want potential clients/followers to know about me/my brand: My enthusiasm & passion for womb + yoni wellness + birth work is ancestral – this was passed down from my grandmothers. I care deeply about helping wom(b)men to EMPOWER their yoni, HEAL their womb, and RECLAIM their divine femininity.

***This was shared in my previous post – sharing here again:

I am a dedicated advocate for womb + yoni wellness, passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to reproductive health, self-care, and empowerment. As a Certified Full-Spectrum Doula (specializing in birth + postpartum doula support services), trained by Ancient Song in Brooklyn, NY and a Certified Peristeam/Yoni Steam Facilitator (PFc), I provide holistic support through every stage of life – from menstruation and fertility to pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. My love for herbalism plays a key role in my approach, as I incorporate plant-based healing traditions to help restore balance and vitality. With a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSc), I blend modern wisdom, ensuring that my clients receive well-rounded, nurturing care.

So what lead me here? I never knew either of my grandmothers because their gentle souls left the earthly realm at 45 & 38 respectively. My paternal grandmother (Elouise) gave birth to her 5th and final child – as the hospital left afterbirth inside of her, causing her to die from an infection days later. My maternal grandmother (and namesake), Pennie, died from ovarian, cervical, or uterine cancer.

When I was 22 years old, I was admitted into a highly competitive Physician Assistant (PA) program in Brooklyn, NY. Despite being urged by my Anatomy professor to consider surgery as my practice (I was rather nice with a scalpel and comfortable dissecting the medically donated cadavers in Anatomy lab), I knew that I wanted to go into OB/GYN. This are of science hit too close to home for me. It was confirmed when I held ovaries and uteruses in my hands – my fascination grew.

Months into my didactic year, I left the program – I had my reasons. Years passed and I was diagnosed with a uterine fibroid. Another year passed and I was diagnosed (by an extremely disconnected and robotic PA that cared NOTHING for me or my womb) with another uterine fibroid. I left that Upper West Side medical office distraught, confused, defeated, and angry. Distraught that my womb had now succumb to the epidemic plaguing the wombs of so many melantated wom(b)en, confused as to how I was now being impacted (being as how I was super slim, in shape, ate really healthy, and had an active lifestyle), and lastly angry because of the treatment by the medical professional that was supposed to help.

On that day, after taking an Uber back to my BK brownstone apt, I cried and then focused – I decided that I was going to retake all my science courses (as they’d timed out) to return to the PA program I left some 10+ years prior. I HAD to help my sistas because I didn’t want them to have the same experience that I had.

Months into my studies, I excelled academically and felt certain that my decision to return to school was a working in my favor – then something happened. I saw what was happening in the healthcare system and knew that I would never prescribe poison to the women that I would service – so after completing three semesters, I stopped my studies.

At this point, I’d incorporating weekly yoni steaming (also known as vaginal steaming or v-steaming – is a safe, natural, ancestrally grounded and sacred practice meant to help wom(b)men connect, release, and heal emotionally, physically, and spiritually) into my self-care regiment. Yoni steaming was a real game changer for me.

Eventually, I started studying more about herbalism & learning how herbs could heal me from the inside out. My horrific cramps stopped. My monthly flow started to lighten. Full-circle moment – as I heal myself, I can heal others. It was a no-brainer for me to enroll in a Peristeam/Yoni steam 9-module certification course as a way to apply for newfound love for herbalism and apply my past science/medicine background in a non-Western manner. Learning about womb care. the history of steaming, and more about to use herbs aligned effortlessly.

This is why I created Pennies Peace Womb Wellness – to help women EMPOWER their yoni, HEAL their wombs, and RECLAIM their divine feminine energy!!!

I lovingly create and offer an array of yoni oils which: (1) relieve vaginal dryness & lock in moisture, (2) help to maintain healthy vaginal pH, (3) help prevent unpleasant odors, (4) reduce inflammation & soothes irritation and/or itching caused by shaving, waxing, or tight clothing, (5) help fight yeast infections & bacterial vaginosis, and (6) boost confidence – by enhancing overall comfort, promoting a feeling of cleanliness + confidence in intimate areas). Additionally, I create herbal yoni steam blends that: (1) support menstrual health – reducing cramps, regulating irregular periods, and relieving PMS, (2) help rid the body of polyps, cysts, and/or fibroids, (3) detox the womb, (4) enhance sexual pleasure, (5) expedite postpartum recovery, (6) aid in ridding the vagina of recurring yeast infections and/or bacterial vaginosis, and (7) aid in fertility issues) and will soon offering in-home yoni steaming services.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Thus far, social media (Instagram), word-of-mouth referrals, networking events, and attending different pop-up events to speak to other artisanal small business owners.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Meeting women at networking events and pop-up events so that I can share my passion for my work and discuss Pennie’s Peace Womb Wellness. My aura tends to invite new people into my orbit – when this occurs, I am able to hold space for those that need it and new clients tend to really enjoy my calming presence and in turn want to know more about my business and how they can work with me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @PenniesPeace
• Other: www.penniespeace.etsy.com

Image Credits

Photos of me with the blue headwrap (on my head) are ALL courtesy of ScarlettView Photography.
All other photos were taken with my phone, no image credits necessary,