Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Malayia Cooley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Malayia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
Absolutely! Since a very early age, my parents have always emphasized the importance of investing in your dreams. They were, and still are, great business partners and models for entrepreneurship. I’ve always had my mind set on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support with the end goal of being an OB/GYN.
After my first semester of college, I remember calling home to my parents in tears, asking to come back home because being a Pre-Med Biology major was not what I had envisioned, at all. My dad asked a few rapid fire questions then wrapped up the call with, “…then you’re not coming home.” and hung up the phone. At the time, I was a first-generation college student without any idea what I had gotten myself into (shoutout to my Freshman Advisor who failed to tell me I shouldn’t take all of my core classes in my first semester!), but I knew that this wasn’t the path for me.
Looking back, I’m so thankful that my parents didn’t allow me to give up on my dreams prematurely. Their prayers and dedication to my education empowered me to find the right path towards my future career. I had no idea that midwifery care would be in the cards for me but since that call in my dorm room in the middle of UT Austin’s campus, I’ve been able to explore SO many more interests like foster care, parent education, family-building support, and so much more.
Today, I know that I wouldn’t be the business owner and provider I am without having my parents as such great role models and business models.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a native Texan that was born and raised in Southeast Texas though I now reside in Central Texas. I serve families from preconception through early childhood in so many different ways. In 2017, I launched Malayia Cooley Birth Services, a hub for educational and practical support for those navigating the perinatal period. Since then, my expertise has grown to include: preconception counseling, family planning through foster, adoption, surrogacy, and conception, prenatal education, early childhood development guidance, and menopause support.
I am most proud of the comprehensive support that I offer and the ability to meet folks where they are whether that’s helping them get started or stepping down into the trenches with them. My hope is that all my clients feel my heart and passion in the support that they receive and feel better equipped to navigate through life.
We have become so disconnected over time so I take pride in helping individuals find community amongst the most challenging periods of their lives. Finding their village along with guiding them to find the tools they need leads them to feel empowered when making decisions about their, and their family’s healthcare.
When I’m not preparing siblings for a new arrival, measuring bellies, or counseling parents on attachment, you can find me out on the water or catching up on true crime podcasts while snuggling with my cats.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Networking! As an introvert, it was hard to figure out how to market myself and my services outside of online marketing. Initially, I had a hard time walking into spaces and striking up conversations with unfamiliar people. However, over time, I’ve learned that most of my success has been the result of sitting at a table amongst other business owners who want to see me thrive. Texas may be large, but the birth community is small and your reputation can make or break your business.
Collaboration has also been a great way to help build my reputation. Whether its through sponsorships, contract work, or volunteer work; being able to show other disciplines what my services look like is one of the best forms of advertisement.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Word of mouth! I enjoy design, so I always took pride in my website and business cards. However, I learned that word of mouth and referrals were actually my most successful forms for gaining clientele. When people find value in your product and services, they can’t help but tell other people about you. Reviews on your website and Google are great, but nothing outweighs the power of someone else being able to share their story and the impact you’ve had on their life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.malayiacooley.com
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