We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Ihaza recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Courtney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

One of the most defining moments in my journey happened in Cavite, Philippines, during a study abroad trip in 2018. I was shadowing a midwife in a rural clinic—just her, my trip guide, and me—when we supported a woman through labor and birth. I didn’t know it then, but that moment would shift everything for me.

There were no fancy monitors, no team of nurses—just instinct, presence, and care. I found myself stepping in, holding space, offering support. I had never heard the word “doula” at the time, but in many ways, that’s exactly what I was doing. Watching birth unfold so naturally, in a space led by women and rooted in trust, made something click. I knew that maternal health was more than an interest—it was my calling.

Even as my career has taken many pivots since then, birthwork stayed at the center. I became a certified doula in 2021 and had already launched my wellness brand the year before. Once I had both pieces, it was clear what was next: to build something bigger. RootedbyCo became my way of blending it all—birthwork, wellness, education, and community into a brand that supports women in every season of life.

Courtney, 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’m Courtney Ihaza, doula, lactation educator, public health professional, and founder of RootedbyCo—a women’s health and wellness brand dedicated to helping women feel grounded, confident, and cared for in every season of life.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a caretaker. The voice that reminded you to rest when you forgot how. I thought that calling would lead me to medicine, and for years it did. But along the way, I realized something: I didn’t want to only treat symptoms; I wanted to care for the whole woman—her body, mind, spirit, and story.

That realization shaped RootedbyCo. What started in 2020 as a wellness brand became so much more—a space where women come for holistic birth support, lactation education, and wellness guidance, but leave with confidence, community, and tools for intentional living. While I’m deeply committed to maternal health and birthwork, my work extends beyond pregnancy. I serve all women who want to feel deeply well—whether that means building a sustainable self-care routine, protecting their mental health, improving nutrition, or creating more joy in their daily lives.

What sets RootedbyCo apart is the way we blend evidence-based care with heart. My public health background means every piece of guidance is rooted in research; my birthwork means it’s delivered with softness, presence, and deep respect for each woman’s journey. Clients aren’t just clients—they become part of a community. Through RootedwithCo events like wellness panels, picnics, and plant & sip gatherings, women connect, learn, and leave more empowered than they arrived.
At the core, my mission is simple: to remind women they are worthy of care, rest, and thriving, not just surviving. Whether you’re preparing for birth, navigating new motherhood, or simply choosing yourself again, RootedbyCo is here to hold space for your growth.

This isn’t just my business—it’s my life’s work. And I’m just getting started.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Becoming an entrepreneur sounds glamorous, but the truth is, it’s equal parts thrilling and terrifying. I’ve always been that “doer” friend: the one leading, organizing, curating, and pulling people together. I’ve spent my life building experiences and leading teams, so when I launched Rooted in 2020, I thought, I’ve done this for others, I can do it for me.

But here’s what no one tells you—running your own business asks more from you than any job ever will. It takes time, late nights, sacrifice, and an unshakable belief in yourself. And somewhere along the way, I lost that belief. Perfectionism crept in. Imposter syndrome whispered that maybe I wasn’t ready. So I slowed down. I watched peers who launched around the same time grow and scale—and instead of being inspired, I compared myself. I asked, Am I too late? Is there even room for me?

Then I remembered: comparison is the thief of joy. And my path is mine alone. Sometimes God delays the blessing because you’re not yet ready to carry it well. I had to unlearn the idea that success has a timeline—and release the grip of perfectionism—before I could fully show up for my business.

Now I move differently. I bet on myself even when it’s uncomfortable. I create before I feel “ready.” And when I fall, I get back up. Because the truth is, it’s not about how fast you grow—it’s about having the faith and grit to keep going until the seeds you’ve planted finally bloom.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Showing up authentically is the best advice I can give—both as a birthworker and as a business owner. This work carries so much depth because birth is never a one-size-fits-all experience. Every pregnancy has its own rhythm, its own ebbs and flows. My role is to show up ready to serve, but also ready to pivot—because things can change in an instant. That adaptability, paired with advocacy and teaching my clients to advocate for themselves, has built lasting relationships that stretch years beyond the birth room.

In this field, you can’t just talk about wellness—you have to live it. I carry my business like it’s my own lived experience. I nourish myself, calm my nervous system, and practice intentional living, so I can pour from a full cup into my clients and community. I may be a small business, but my impact is mighty—and I hold that responsibility with grace, love, and deep commitment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rootedbyco.com/
• Instagram: @RootedbyCo
• Linkedin: Courtney Ihaza