Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hilar Erickson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hilary, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.
It felt like I HAD to practice as a labor nurse IN labor and delivery, but as I got older, and the red tape started to strangle me, I decided that there might be other options.
I had an existing blog, and started to focus it more on pregnancy — just to see how articles did.
As I found success there I then created an online birth class, when such a class was an anomaly. It has grown to be one of the most successful birth classes online and I enjoy sharing both the class and free content. I was able to leave the hospital in late 2020.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hilary Erickson is the curly head behind Pulling Curls® — which she started in 2005. Hilary has been a nurse since 1997 working in various fields such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and hospice. In 2001 she started in labor and delivery and remained working as a labor nurse for 20 years. Through the years, Hilary realized she could combine her nursing career and her website and began writing more about health and pregnancy along with helping families simplify their lives.
In 2015 she launched The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — one of the best selling birth classes which finally allowed couples to fit high quality prenatal education into their busy lives. Soon after that she “birthed” The Organized Home — which simplifies organizing for families. Shortly after came Family Routines, which helps organize the people in families, to allow moms to focus on their own priorities.
In 2019 she launched The Pulling Curls Podcast: Pregnancy & Parenting Untangled which gave her a new voice in helping families untangle the snarls in their day. In 2020, Hilary launched The Pregnancy Nurse ™ website. It gives families real, reliable information on the questions they want answers to most from bump to bassinet.
Hilary lives in the Phoenix area with her husband and 3 children (some of whom are adults now). She still works on simplifying her own life daily and finds no greater joy than helping families feel more confident in both the delivery room and their own homes.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
You constantly have to pivot to remain relevant.
I’ve chosen not to run paid ads to allow my class to be as affordable as possible, to allow more people to join it. I have had to work to create organic content that helps people realize I am a viable, experienced provider they can trust, even though the class is priced well below other birth classes.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I didn’t think that women, or frankly — nurses, could run a business.
I think I thought that was a man’s world, and I never, in a million years, would’ve thought that I could do this on my own — but it just took month by month to continue to turn a profit and feel like YES I could make this work.
I’ve also looked to many other female business owners and instead of feeling competitive — I think, if they can do it — I can too!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pregnurse.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pregnancynurse/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PregnancyNurse/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilaryerickson/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pullingcurls
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN9g-pQiQ_TzIIehCYotYoA
Image Credits
Photography Hill: https://photographyhill.com/