We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexis Alsup. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexis below.

Alexis , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

During the pandemic of COVID-19, I had a life-changing moment. I knew I would be a Doula; I didn’t know when or how to begin walking in my passion. At the time, I was a manager at a fast-food restaurant and loved serving people. During the pandemic, fast food workers still had to work regardless. The HR department did allow employees to take two weeks off but with no pay during the pandemic, as a single mother of two children and caregiver of my father, who was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer at the time. I knew I couldn’t risk getting any of my loved ones sick. I took the two weeks, and, in that time, I knew I had to step in faith for myself. I started my training to become a certified birth Doula. I returned to work part-time, working only three days a week. The most significant risk I took within the next two months was officially leaving my 9-5 job. I started serving families during the pandemic, which exposed me even more, but I was finally happy to be doing my passion. The risks of being unable to provide for my family or being exposed to COVID while supporting families in hospitals were critical. I took the chance and knew serving expecting families was more significant than myself. The pandemic was tough on everyone, but I’m glad I took the risk to pursue my passion and become a certified Doula for my community.

Alexis , 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?

Hello, my name is Alexis Alsup. I am a mother of two incredible children. I had my first child at a young age and experienced the most empowering feeling ever. My experience cultivated my deepest desire to support and empower other families—much gratitude and appreciation to my phenomenal queen, my mother. I’m so thankful for her because she ensured I had all the tools, education, unconditional love, and support during pregnancy and postpartum. I had a birth doula for both of my children, and I felt supportive, prepared, and in control of how I wanted to bring my children earthside. I’ve always known birth work was my purpose and destiny. I embody, embrace, and enjoy continuously learning about my traditions and culture. I am very caring, outgoing, and a people person. I’m a direct speaker, humorous at times, and gentle. My heart is enormous, and I have a nurturing spirit that serves automatically!

As the founder of Empowered Doula Services, I am a holistic Doula, placenta specialist, and student midwife. Serving my community as a birth doula has deepened my journey to become a Midwife. Birth work has continuously called my spirit, and it’s my passion to ensure adequate care for all but especially families of color. As a midwife student, I’m dedicated to making a cultural shift within my community. I can start the change to redefine birth outcomes in my community.

Meanwhile, as a Holistic Doula, I serve, support, inform, and empower families to have a positive birth experience. My journey into motherhood has indeed cultivated my “WHY “as a birth worker. Our doula services support families emotionally, physically, and informatively during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. I also provide herbal blends for uterus preparation during pregnancy, reducing milk supply and postpartum healing. I suggest home remedies and alternative care options to families. I serve and support the entire well-being of families. Therefore, the mind, spirit, and body are essential for birth preparation. I truly empower families before, during, and after birth. As a black birth worker fighting against health disparities and racial injustice in the health care systems, I’m well aware of the white supremacy tactics and strategies that remain today—unfortunately, their reality in our society. Therefore, I will forever stand and continue to educate families significantly to help lessen Black maternal and infant mortality rates in my community. In addition, I am one of the curators of the Knoxville Black Maternal Health Symposium with Femeika Elliot, the founder of the Lotus Program Experience and MeikMeals. The symposium will be a continuous convening to bring awareness to the community and stakeholders on the status of black maternal health within Knoxville and surrounding cities. It will provide educational and insightful information to the community. It also allows access to local and regional resources and holds advocates and professionals working within the realm of maternal health and wellness in Knoxville accountable. I’m truly honored to be able to serve and spread love, healing, and radiant energy to my community.

How did you build your audience on social media?

When I began my doula practice, I created marketing that showed my authentic self. Birth work is very passionate and experiences families never forget. I started my business page on Facebook first and started doing mommy care Mondays and Fun Fact Fridays. I posted twice a week, giving expecting families insight into educational information about pregnancy and the postpartum period! It gravitated to people. As I started picking up on clientele, I became transparent with my community and created videos that show what doulas do! No other doulas showed what they do or consistently posted their services! My best advice is to know your core customer and targeted population and be your authentic self! You must be the change and creative to get your services out to the community. Just be your authentic.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The most thing that helped me build my reputation is staying consistent, making connections for families, and collaborating with other birth workers such as lactation consultants, postpartum Doulas, hypnobirthing instructors, and womb specialist in my community. My clients have left reviews and even referred friends and family members to retain me as a birth doula. Therefore, it’s how I show up for families in my community. I firmly believe in collaboration over competition. I’ve learned a valuable lesson that most people struggle to understand and operate in that way fully. My reputation is authentically flowing due to the integrity and alignment I have within myself. Birth work is more significant than my self-gain. I continue to make sure all families have access to valuable resources, even if it’s something my services cannot provide.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.empowereddoula.services/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowereddoulaservices/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweredDoulaAlexis

Image Credits
Jalynn Bake- brand photo Alexis Alsup- myself for other photos