Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Megan Gutman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Megan , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I decided to start my surrogacy agency after personally experiencing the surrogacy journey as an intended parent. Unfortunately, my experience with the agency I worked with left much to be desired. The fees were exorbitant, yet the support and communication were minimal for both myself and my surrogate. It became clear to me that there was a better way to operate—one that prioritizes transparency, support, and empathy for both surrogates and intended parents.
My goal was to create a business model that would truly serve those involved in the surrogacy process, offering the guidance and care they deserve. Surrogacy is an incredibly powerful and unique experience. As an agency, you’re not only helping individuals achieve their dreams of parenthood, but you’re also offering women the opportunity to make a profound difference in others’ lives while gaining financial stability.
This work gives me a deep sense of fulfillment, knowing I’m playing a part in changing lives for the better. Unlike larger, corporate agencies often run by men who haven’t been through the surrogacy process themselves, I believe our personal experience as women who have navigated this journey firsthand gives us a unique perspective. We truly understand the emotional complexities and challenges that come with surrogacy, and we know how to guide our clients with compassion and expertise every step of the way.
Megan , 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?
With 20 years of experience in the film industry, producing commercials, music videos, and documentaries, I’ve always had a deep love for entertainment. However, entrepreneurship has always been in my blood, and after years of working in that world, I felt a strong desire to venture into something new and meaningful. That was when my personal journey through the surrogacy process opened my eyes to a whole new world and sparked the idea to start my own business.
Through my own experience, I learned the ins and outs of surrogacy and recognized that there was a real opportunity to create a service that could give back to others. I wanted to build something rewarding—an innovative business that connects incredible people in a meaningful way. It took me about a year and a half to launch the company, but now that we’re up and running, I am truly passionate about the work we do.
We specialize in matching intended parents with carefully vetted surrogates and providing them with ongoing guidance throughout the entire surrogacy journey. What sets us apart is our commitment to doing this process the right way. Unlike some agencies that rush into approving surrogates or make quick matches without fully understanding the needs and circumstances of both parties, we ensure that every step is handled with the utmost care and attention to detail. We take the time to properly vet all of our clients, ensuring that both surrogates and intended parents are fully comfortable and supported at every stage.
We pride ourselves on being fully available to our clients, offering personalized support at any time of day to answer questions, address concerns, or guide them through the process. Our approach is built on trust, care, and a deep understanding of the emotional complexities that come with surrogacy. At the end of the day, we are here to help make this incredible journey as smooth, joyful, and fulfilling as possible for everyone involved.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for our surrogacy agency has been a combination of referrals and inquiries generated through our marketing efforts. Referrals are particularly valuable because they come with an inherent level of trust — potential clients are already familiar with our reputation and have often been recommended by someone they trust. This connection makes it easier to establish a relationship and move forward. However, since we’re still a relatively new business, these referrals don’t come as frequently as we would like, and therefore, we also rely heavily on our marketing strategies to attract new clients.
Marketing inquiries, while essential, are definitely more challenging to convert into clients. The individuals who come through our marketing channels often don’t have an existing connection with us, so we have to work extra hard to make a lasting first impression. Building trust from scratch is crucial, and it requires a well-executed strategy that speaks directly to the concerns and needs of potential clients. Because of this, having the right marketing team in place is absolutely essential.
We’ve learned this lesson the hard way after working with several marketing professionals who seemed promising at first but didn’t deliver the results we needed. It’s not enough for someone to have a great pitch — they have to understand the unique aspects of our business model and be able to translate that understanding into a marketing strategy that resonates with our target audience. The ideal marketing partner is someone who genuinely believes in our mission, someone who takes pride in helping our agency grow rather than simply collecting a paycheck.
One key lesson we’ve learned is the importance of regular check-ins with our marketing team. These check-ins should be structured with clear agendas, and they must focus on evaluating results, identifying areas for improvement, and adjusting strategies as necessary. It’s critical to stay on top of what’s working and what’s not, so we can make timely changes and maximize the impact of our marketing efforts.
Ultimately, the right marketing person — or team — has made all the difference in our ability to attract new clients. It’s about finding someone who not only has the technical expertise but also shares our vision for helping families grow. When we have that alignment, the results speak for themselves.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Building this business has truly been a testament to my resilience. On a personal level, I experienced the challenges of IVF for many years before I was finally able to bring my twins into the world through surrogacy. The emotional and financial toll was significant, but looking at my children now, I can say that every moment of that journey was worth it. That same sense of perseverance has carried over into the creation of my agency.
When I first set out to build this business, I envisioned it launching within just a few months. However, I quickly learned that there’s so much more to the process than I anticipated. From securing insurance and developing a website to handling marketing, legal documents, and building the right connections, there was far more groundwork to be done than I could have imagined. The journey took over a year and a half, far longer than I expected. And the financial investment was also much higher than I originally planned for. But in the end, I can confidently say that every dollar spent, every late night, and every obstacle faced was worthwhile. We made sure to invest in the right structure and resources to ensure we wouldn’t cut corners, and that foundational work has been crucial for our success.
Like any startup, we’ve faced challenges along the way. One of the most difficult moments came when we had to part ways with someone who had been instrumental in our early development. Although it wasn’t part of the plan, the situation required us to adapt and reassess. It was a challenging period that tested our resilience and our ability to stay focused on the bigger picture. Ultimately, we pushed forward, learned from the experience, and continued to build the business with even greater determination.
Being an entrepreneur requires a level of resilience that isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s one of the most important qualities you can have. But resilience doesn’t just mean powering through at all costs — it’s also knowing when something isn’t right and having the wisdom to walk away or change direction if necessary. It’s about choosing a path that you’re passionate about, one that brings you fulfillment, helps others, and has the potential for success. For me, this business is exactly that. It’s been a hard journey, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to build something that serves others and makes a real difference in people’s lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.overtherainbow.net
- Instagram: Overtherainbowsurrogacy
- Facebook: Over The Rainbow Surrogacy
- Linkedin: Over The Rainbow Surrogacy
Image Credits
Kim Alexis Photography. Jeffrey Fiterman Photography.