Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lindsay Askins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lindsay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents always told me I could be and do whatever I set my mind to. They always cheered me on in all of my endeavors growing up. It never crossed my mind to not start my own business. After all, my Father did the same and my Mother has kept it afloat for decades now.
They taught me to believe in my intelligence and ability to apply myself and work hard to achieve my goals. Laziness was not an option in our household. They led by example too – always up early and taking responsibility for their lives and chasing their own dreams. They are both now in their 70s and not slowing down much ha.
I remember them asking me, “are you proud to put your name on that?” in regards to homework or school projects I was turning in for a grade. It was always said that we should not put our name on something we weren’t proud of, and that has carried over into my creative work and professionalism.
Lindsay, 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?
I am first and foremost a Mother, and with that comes a huge responsibility. Motherhood fuels every aspect of my professional life and how I serve my clients, who are typically Mothers themselves. Motherhood has forced me to show up to life with transparency and authenticity which is how I show up for my clients. What you see is what you get when you work with me. My own experience in giving birth and becoming a Mother is the engine behind everything I offer my clients as well as the catalyst that drove the doula support and birth photography I previously offered women for over a decade.I currently offer in-person and online birth coaching, birth prep courses, a new podcast, and an upcoming book that is built on the foundation of mammalian birth. That is the root of everything I teach new Mothers who are preparing to bring a baby into the world. I am not silent regarding how birth works best and how a Mother can give her baby the best entrance into the world. And I think that’s what truly sets me apart from most birth coaches, doulas, birth photographers, and other birth workers. I work with women who wish to avoid obstetrics altogether or Mothers seeking healing from the trauma of their baby’s birth. I am certainly not everyone’s birth coach. I stopped attending hospital births in 2018 as that became a space I could no longer show up authentically, or even work within anymore.
I am most proud of my three daughters, all of whom were born in my home. I never wanted to be, or thought I’d be, a Mother. Giving birth in total alignment with mammalian biology and watching them grow into little women is my greatest achievement in this life. They are my legacy. They are all of my strength and confidence in everything I create and set out to do, personally and professionally. They are the reason I do anything I do with my clients. They are where the passion comes from to serve women the way I do.My entire brand and business is built on women’s work….the inherent work we as women have done for one another for millions of years. In the last century, we have lost touch with this work and the ancient wisdom that is built on generations of Mothers before us. Obstetrics has pushed the wise women out of the realm of pregnancy and birth which has only been detrimental to us as a both a species and a culture. My life’s work is to bring back what we’ve always had, what other mammals have, what obstetrics has taken from us over the past seven decades or so.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Referrals. Word of mouth. The old fashioned way of building relationships with people. I love my clients – most of them are dear friends now. I worked as a repeat doula for subsequent babies with several clients over the years and that number would be higher if not for my husband’s job that relocates our family every three years. I have found that my former clients are the best marketing I’ll ever have…..and bring new clients into my life that also become dear friends.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My husband is active duty military. I have to uproot my business every three years and start over from scratch in a new location where nobody knows who I am. I have done this on repeat for over a decade now. Just about the time referrals start coming in consistently, we are packing up the house. It’s been very frustrating, and an area where I hold quite a bit of resentment….but it’s taught me i can do this over and over and over again. I do not doubt my ability to build a business again and again. And isn’t that the mark of a true entrepreneur after all? I have learned more about SEO, marketing, website conversion, and networking than I probably ever cared to ha! However, I have met some INCREDIBLE folks all over the U.S.. – and world – and I am so very thankful for all I’ve been exposed to, and learned from this lifestyle over the past 19 years.
Due to all so many moves, I have also learned what birth culture looks like in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey. I am knowledgeable of what midwifery laws and licensing look like in most states across the country as well as how birth workers are perceived in different areas. That gives me a perspective most birth workers who only work in one area do not have….and I believe that has given me a skill set that sets me apart from most. So, while moving constantly has been a huge challenge from a business and marketing perspective, it’s been a huge advantage from a professional experience perspective, and I am grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.birthlikeamammal.com/
- Instagram: @birthlikeamammal
Image Credits
The photo of me and my daughters is Taylor Jade Photography, also in Phoenix. All other images are mine.