We recently connected with Marnellie Bishop and have shared our conversation below.

Marnellie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

Yes, I take vacations! The biggest advice I would have for fellow entrepreneurs is to schedule your vacations first and then build your work around the scheduled vacation. Planning around your vacations gives you insight on where to slow down in preparation for vacation and helps you manage your workload surrounding the vacation. You can plan to ease back into work when you return.

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?

Hey there! I’m Marnellie Bishop, your go-to doula and childbirth educator with a touch of warmth, friendliness, and humor. I’m here to support you on your amazing perinatal journey with honesty and a whole lot of love.

I’ve got some awesome certifications under my belt, including being a birth and postpartum doula, as well as a childbirth educator. But that’s not all! I’m also an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor and Hypnobabies® Instructor and Hypno-Doula, bringing even more knowledge and expertise to the table.

In the beautiful Portland, OR community, I go above and beyond as a board member and Director of Finance & Operations at Community Doula Alliance. I’m truly dedicated to making a positive impact and supporting families in every way possible.

I’m also certified as a Birth Doula for the Traditional Health Worker Registry, showing my commitment to bridging communities and health systems. I understand the importance of person and community-centered care, and I’m all about advocating for Oregon Health Plan members and empowering individuals to take charge of their own health.

Before diving into the world of doula work, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and used my expertise to help grow and sell my family’s printing company. As a 2nd generation immigrant with Filipino parents, I totally get the unique challenges that immigrant families face when it comes to parenting styles and cultural backgrounds. I’m super passionate about helping growing families feel empowered and confident in their own journey through parenthood.

The Pacific Northwest is where my roots run deep, and I proudly call Portland my “forever home.” When I’m not busy supporting families, you can find me enjoying quality time with my amazing husband, two active kiddos, and adorable Lagotto Romagnolo dog. We’re always on the move, whether it’s traveling, trying out watersports, or diving into fun DIY projects.

With over 6 years of experience, I’ve supported over 200 families as a birth doula, postpartum doula, and childbirth educator. My warm, friendly, and supportive nature will make you feel like you have a true partner by your side throughout your perinatal journey. Get ready to embark on this incredible adventure with me, Marnellie Bishop, your doula extraordinaire!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think COVID and changed things for everyone. As a birth worker, we had to shift our focus on how to prepare expectant families to go through the journey of childbirth without a doula by their side. We spent extra time buidling a strong foundation for self-advocay and how to navigate the hospital system. I spent more time with families during the prenatal time with childbirth education and birth preparation so that they could walk confidently into their birth experience knowing their rights and choices. For many clients, the fear of giving birth in the hospital during COVID no longer felt safe. So, I helped support families pivot and look to the community setting – home birth or birth center birth. I helped with the interview process in finding a midwife and/or birth center that felt right for them. I advocated for and helped facilitate the transfer of patient files from one provider to the next. In preparation for birth we really focused on comfort measures, partner support, and creating a safe space for the birthing process.

Can you talk to us about your experience with selling businesses?

Back in 2014, my family made the tough decision to sell our beloved printing business to a larger corporate entity. I took on a crucial role in making sure the sale went smoothly, ensuring my parents felt confident about passing on the business they had dedicated 27+ years to. It was a lesson in the importance of self-worth and sticking to our core principles. Know that there’s always room for negotiations.

The corporate acquirer tried to paint themselves as saviors, even throwing lowball offers our way. Despite facing discriminatory remarks, we stood firm in advocating for the true value of our business and its stellar reputation in the printing industry. In the end, we managed to secure a 2-year transition period as part of the sale, ensuring our clients had a smooth experience and that we received fair compensation for our time and expertise.

Sadly, during that transition, we witnessed some mistreatment of our employees by the new owners, leading to the departure of several valued team members. While my parents and I bear no responsibility for this, it was disheartening to see our extended work family treated poorly.

Contact Info:

• Website: hanaudoula.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/hanaudoula
• Facebook: facebook.com/hanaudoula
• Twitter: instagram.com/hanaudoula

Image Credits
Pictures with orange sweater can be credited to Nicole Severson Photography. Pictures with great sweater can be credited to Karina B. Photography.