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

Lauren , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

I do things a bit differently at The Tie-Dyed Doula. The DFW metro has a pretty saturated doula market and so when we moved to the area, I knew I was going to have to set myself apart from all the other birth and postpartum doulas if I wanted a thriving business with staying-power. All business owners want that.

Traditionally, birth doulas meet with families once or twice during pregnancy, attend the birth, and then follow-up one time postpartum. In my experience as a doula and as a mother of five, I know that isn’t enough support for most families. One way I set my business apart was by structuring doula support to be more about really building relationships and going all-in on family support before and after birth. The majority of my families have met with me six or seven times leading up to birth and then they see me an additional three or four times postpartum.

In order for that schedule to work out, I cut the number of births that I attend each month. The average birth doula is taking 4-8 births per month. I only take 1-2, allowing me to really focus my attention on my clients. Every family is getting individualized care and they all know that I would drop everything to come and help at anytime. I grow to love every family and there is no greater compliment than hearing from them months or years after their births.

Lauren , 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?

My name is Lauren Manolescu. I am a wife, a homeschool mom of 5 dynamic children, and the owner-operator of The Tie-Dyed Doula, LLC. The Tie-Dyed Doula is a solo practice, so I am a one-woman show. I am who shows up for you each and every time. I like to think of myself as a concierge for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This time is often wildly unpredictable, but I’m committed to the experience and supporting each family through it.

Support looks different for each family based on their goals and plans. As a certified birth and postpartum doula, I meet most of my clients during pregnancy, which often comes with anxieties and a roller coaster of emotions. I provide education, compassion, and understanding, and it is my personal goal for each client to know that there is always someone there for them during this time. As a mom of five, I have a lot of empathy and compassion because I have been there 5 times!

I spend pregnancy getting to know each family – their goals for their births as well as their personalities and likes and dislikes. When a mom thinks she’s in labor, she gives me a call and I go to her home to provide hands-on labor support. I provide tools and knowledge to help advance labor and ease discomfort as well as emotional support for both mom and dad. When she is ready, we transfer to mom’s birthing place where I provide hands-on comfort and support to achieve mom’s birthing goals, whether that be advancing labor through position changes, pain relief, or emotional support and advocacy. I am there every single step of the way until it’s time to meet baby. Once baby is born, I assist in feeding and newborn care. Then when the family goes home, I make sure mom and dad have their needs met and they are fed and rested.

Postpartum support, again looks different for each family, but often it looks like being an extra hand in keeping up with the household. I am able to care for the newborn while the parents rest as well as provide nutritious meal preps, educate on infant care and feeding, provide light housekeeping, and even care for baby’s siblings and the family’s pets. When the baby is well-cared for, as is baby’s siblings, the pets, and the household, parents are able to have their own needs met which then helps them parent once I go home and also helps to ease the transition of welcoming a new baby to going back to work. You can’t pour from an empty cup and you don’t have to with a doula.

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

I show up for people. At the end of the day, I think that is what matters. I show up time and time and time again. I show up when it’s inconvenient for me, I show up when I’m tired, I show up when my schedule is packed. If you need me, I’ll be there for you.

Birth outcomes are out of my control. Health outcomes are out of my control. But no matter what, I am there by your side, holding your hand through it.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I’m authentically me. I look for a connection that allows me to relate to people while being my true self. I don’t know if that’s the most effective strategy, but it’s one I feel good about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thetiedyeddoula.com
• Instagram: @tiedyeddoula