We recently connected with Tina Gauthier and have shared our conversation below.

Tina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

When I was pregnant with my first, I had read all the books, bought all the gear but when the baby arrive, something was missing. Looking back it was support from other women going through the same phase of motherhood as I was. At the time I thought about becoming a doula or midwife, but I had a newborn and that career was going to be a tough transition. I even created a Facebook group and invited every mom I know, with the intent to get moms to go on walks together for some connection. It worked out once and 3 moms went on a walk who were all in the same phase. Flash forward a few years and I had a baby during Covid – support was completely gone. I don’t even know how I made it through. I believe I struggled with anxiety but never got officially diagnosed. I ended up staying home with my kids and left my career of selling insurance of 14 years. It might sound crazy, but it gave me the time to find my purpose which was to make sure moms of our community didn’t feel isolated and as alone as I did. The opportunity to get certified to run these types of support groups kind of happened magically. A friend and I were chatting one summer night in 2022 and venting about the struggles of motherhood but also downplaying it at the same time. We don’t want others to know we are struggling, it is supposed to be the best time of our lives – at least society says that. I shared with my friend an amazing podcast that I had just listed to a few days ago about how motherhood is so glamorized in our society and that we needed more mental health questions asked during the entire perinatal phase – pregnancy and postpartum. Well, the advice must have sat with her because a few days later she sent me the link for this certification process by NAPS of Boston. This company has been running support groups for years and decided to teach other moms to do the same in their communities. I was immediately on board! This was my way to empower new moms and provide them with community, connection and confidence! Something I lacked from my experience.

Tina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I run support groups for moms in Central MA in search of community, connection and confidence. Empowering them to survive and thrive in early motherhood and connecting them with other mothers who are in the exact same phase of motherhood. At the meetings, women find a safe space to feel seen, heard and validated as a new mother. We tackle topics like communication, self-compassion, and sleep using a curriculum developed by the co-founders of NAPS.

I am most proud of the fact that connections are happening outside of the groups! I have had a few moms reach out and tell me they have been on a double date together with their partners. Others are going on walks weekly and joining other groups. There have also been many playdates! What I am most proud of is the launching of the expecting mama group and just being able to share the things that I did not know when I was pregnant. Helping these women set up for success has been very fulfilling.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media – a love, hate relationship! Unfortunately, we have to do it. My advice would to be to not make it your entire daily focus but to post content 2-3 times week that your audience wants to hear so that they WANT to share and tag others. If you stay consistent and always talk directly to that audience, it will come back to you. I would also just ask for the shares and tags specifically. As for specific things, you could do some hashtag searches and try find others to follow with similar interests. I would pick one and stick to the one platform until you are comfortable and then spread your wings!!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Social Media – I work with moms and that is where they are!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.supportedmom.com
• Instagram: supported_mom_initiative
• Facebook: facebook.com/supportedmom

Image Credits
Tiana Delia