Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to MaryJane Carnahan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

MaryJane, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

Historically, surrogacy has often been a private and secret journey navigated by intended parents. There was a sense of stigma or taboo associated with this path, which led many to pursue it quietly. However, in our modern society, the narrative around surrogacy has started to change significantly. It’s becoming more transparent, more accepted, and even embraced as a viable and wonderful option to grow a family.

This shift is largely fueled by technological advancements, especially the rise of social media. Social media platforms not only offer an accessible medium for exchanging information but also provide a space for sharing personal experiences and stories. More and more intended parents are realizing that, despite its complex and emotional nature, the surrogacy process is manageable on their own with the right support and resources.

Here is where our business diverges from the traditional surrogacy industry, in a significant and beneficial way. Instead of charging exorbitant agency fees, typically close to $30,000 which does not even include surrogate compensation, we offer a more affordable and transparent solution. Our unique approach places the focus on the individual stories of intended parents, and their surrogates, ensuring a compassionate and financially reasonable process. This makes surrogacy not just a viable but also a more accessible choice for a wider array of families.

At the heart of our strategy, we place people, their stories, and their shared experiences. We firmly believe in the power of human connections and the profound impact they can have on such a significant journey as surrogacy. We invest our efforts in sharing the stories of our intended parents, offering a window into their lives, their reasons for pursuing surrogacy, their personalities, and their passions. This authentic and open approach allows us to build bridges between intended parents and potential surrogates who may resonate with these stories on a deeply personal level.

Our business model brings humanity and a sense of community to an industry that can often feel clinical and impersonal. We recognize and celebrate the individuality of each person we work with, tailoring our approach to their unique needs and aspirations. In doing so, we not only help intended parents navigate the practical aspects of surrogacy but also offer emotional support, guidance, and companionship throughout the process.

This approach sets us apart from the norm and signifies a shift in how surrogacy is traditionally managed. By embracing transparency, promoting connections, and celebrating the personal stories of all those involved, we are leading the charge towards a more empathetic, supportive, and inclusive surrogacy journey.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is MaryJane Carnahan, and I am the founder of The Biggest Ask, a surrogacy guidance and support service. My path into the surrogacy industry was a deeply personal one, shaped by tragedy and resilience. At 25 weeks pregnant, I lost my son, Luca, who was born weighing just 1 pound. I had suffered from pre-eclampsia, and the traumatic experience of my pregnancy and birth led me to consider surrogacy as an alternative path to parenthood.

The Biggest Ask was born out of my own journey through surrogacy and my desire to provide much-needed education and resources for others embarking on a similar path. The business started primarily as an educational platform for anyone interested in pursuing surrogacy independently, rather than via traditional, expensive agencies.

As the business evolved, I crossed paths with Ashley Ostoff, who is now on her second surrogacy journey. Ashley has since joined The Biggest Ask, bringing a valuable perspective as a surrogate, enriching our service by providing a balanced, comprehensive understanding of the surrogacy journey from both the surrogate’s and intended parent’s points of view.

Our service is designed to offer a more personal and empathetic approach to surrogacy. We connect intended parents with potential surrogates, but unlike traditional agencies, we place a heavy emphasis on sharing personal stories and experiences. We believe in the power of these stories to inspire, guide, and reassure those who are embarking on their own surrogacy journeys.

What sets The Biggest Ask apart from traditional agencies is our commitment to transparency, personal connection, and accessibility. Instead of charging exorbitant agency fees, we provide an affordable and heartfelt service that addresses both the emotional and financial aspects of surrogacy.

I am incredibly proud of the community we’ve created and the guidance we’ve been able to provide for so many intended parents and surrogates. Every successful surrogacy story reinforces our mission and motivates us to continue providing a service that is so needed in our society.

To anyone considering surrogacy, know that The Biggest Ask is here to support and guide you. We understand the challenges and emotions involved in this journey, and we’re dedicated to making it as smooth, rewarding, and fulfilling as possible. The Biggest Ask doesn’t just facilitate surrogacy; we build connections, share experiences, and help create families.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Of course, here’s a revised response that maintains the essence of your original thoughts:

Cultivating a social media audience proved to be an immense challenge for me. It required a level of personal exposure and vulnerability that I had not previously experienced. There were times when I had to share aspects of my journey when I felt most vulnerable, translating my private experiences into public narratives. There were periods when the relationship with my social media platforms became unhealthy, to the point where the number of followers influenced my mood and self-perception. This dependence on external validation was exhausting and emotionally taxing.

As I embark on this new venture with The Biggest Ask, I hope that my social media efforts yield more than just numbers. I aim to utilize the community I’ve built to make a genuine, positive difference by matching intended parents with willing surrogates. The goal isn’t simply about gaining followers but about fostering a community that can make meaningful connections and support the journey of surrogacy. In this sense, every post, every share, and every interaction brings us one step closer to creating a family, making the effort not just worthwhile, but truly rewarding.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I was fortunate to meet Ashley, my business partner, quite organically through the course of developing The Biggest Ask. She was one of the first to follow my Instagram account, consistently showing a remarkable level of engagement and interest from the very beginning.

When I introduced our “Surrogate of the Week” initiative during the Covid-19 pandemic, Ashley was the first volunteer. Similarly, when I invited blog submissions, Ashley was again the first to volunteer. As The Biggest Ask started to become more ambitious and the need for additional help became apparent, especially with social media management and miscellaneous tasks, Ashley immediately came to mind. I was thrilled when she accepted. She brings an incomparable level of kindness and thoughtfulness to our work, balancing out our team dynamics and contributing significantly to our shared mission. I feel deeply grateful for her partnership, her contribution, and the value she adds to our cause.

Contact Info:

• Website: thebiggestask.com
• Instagram: @thebiggestask