We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Philippe recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
The Early Days: Building Blissful Connections & Blissful Births
Starting Blissful Connections LLC and Blissful Births was a journey rooted in passion, purpose, and a deep calling to serve. My work in holistic wellness and traditional midwifery was never just a business idea—it was my livelihood turned into a mission to bridge gaps in care, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and other marginalised communities. I knew that wellness, birth work, and spirituality needed to be accessible, culturally relevant, and deeply personal, and that was the foundation of my practice.
The Steps to Building My Practice
The first step was clarity—defining exactly what I wanted to offer and how I wanted to serve. I outlined my services, ensuring they aligned with the eight pillars of wellness while honouring the traditional wisdom that shaped my practices. I also had to establish a legal business structure, secure necessary certifications, and build a strong foundation for credibility and sustainability.
Next came visibility—building a presence, creating educational content, and fostering relationships within the community. My work is deeply personal, and I knew word-of-mouth and trust would be key to growing. I leveraged social media, hosted workshops, and engaged with people directly to create impact and awareness.
Another crucial step was financial planning. Unlike traditional businesses with immediate investor backing, I built Blissful Connections and Blissful Births from the ground up. Balancing finances while providing accessible services was challenging, but I remained committed, even when resources were tight.
Key Challenges & Lessons Learned
One of the biggest challenges was navigating entrepreneurship as a first-generation business owner without a network of high-income funders or mentors in my immediate circle. Securing funding, pricing my services sustainably, and expanding my reach were hurdles I had to overcome through persistence, learning, and adaptability.
Another challenge was balancing my roles as a practitioner and a business owner. It took time to refine systems, automate processes, and delegate where necessary so I could focus on serving my clients while maintaining the business structure.
If I could do anything differently, I would have prioritised funding and mentorship earlier. Building a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, applying for grants sooner, and seeking strategic partnerships would have made the journey smoother. However, every lesson was valuable, and I wouldn’t trade the growth from overcoming those obstacles.
Advice for Young Professionals Starting Their Practice
Know Your ‘Why’ – Entrepreneurship requires deep commitment, especially in service-based industries. Be clear on your purpose, and let that guide you.
Build community Early – Success isn’t just about what you know; it’s also about who you connect with. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and supporters who align with your vision.
Master Financial Literacy – Secure funding, set sustainable pricing and track your finances from the beginning. Your business needs to thrive in order for you to continue serving others.
Be Adaptable & Patient – Growth takes time. There will be challenges, but flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to learn will carry you through.
Believe in Your Impact – Remember why you started, even when the path is difficult. The lives you touch and the change you create will make every challenge worth it.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Melissa, the founder of Blissful Connections LLC and Blissful Births, two deeply rooted businesses focusing on holistic wellness, spiritual empowerment, and culturally competent maternal care. My journey into this work was not just a career choice—it was a calling. As an Afro-Indigenous Traditional Midwife, Women’s Health and Holistic Wellness Practitioner, Spiritual Guide, and Educator, I am dedicated to bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern healing.
My passion for holistic wellness and birth work stems from a deep understanding of the disparities and challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and women of colour in both wellness and maternity care. Historically, many of our traditional healing practices have been overlooked or dismissed in Western medicine despite their effectiveness in promoting overall well-being. I wanted to create a safe, accessible, and culturally relevant space where people can reconnect with those traditions, nurture their health, and receive the support they deserve—whether on a journey of self-discovery, pregnancy, or healing.
What I Offer: Products, Services & Creative Works
Through Blissful Connections LLC, I provide a multi-service holistic wellness experience rooted in the eight pillars of wellness: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, social, environmental, occupational, and financial well-being. My services include:
Holistic Wellness Coaching & Spiritual Guidance – Helping individuals integrate wellness into their lives through herbalism, natural practices, and spiritual alignment.
Life, Family, & Marriage Counselling – Providing guidance and support for individuals and families seeking balance, healing, and personal growth.
Workshops & Retreats – Educating communities on wellness, self-care, and spiritual practices through immersive experiences.
Through Blissful Births, I offer:
Afro-Indigenous Traditional Midwifery & Birth Keeping – Supporting expectant mothers with culturally aligned, holistic maternal care.
Maternal Education & Lactation Consulting – Empowering mothers with knowledge and confidence in their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.
End-of-Life Support – Honouring life’s transitions with care and spiritual guidance.
Birth Worker Training & Mentorship – Equipping aspiring doulas and birth workers with the knowledge, skills, and cultural competency to serve their communities.
What Problems Do I Solve?
I solve several significant issues faced by my clients:
Lack of Culturally Competent Wellness & Birth Support – Many Black and Indigenous women do not receive the personalised, respectful, and holistic care they need. I provide a safe, affirming, community-based approach that centres on their unique needs.
Health Disparities & Misinformation – Many people, especially in marginalised communities, struggle with misinformation about their health. I focus on education, advocacy, and empowerment, ensuring my clients have the tools to make informed decisions.
Disconnect from Traditional Healing & Spiritual Wellness – In a world that often dismisses ancestral healing and spirituality, I help clients reconnect with natural, holistic, and spiritual practices that nurture mind, body, and soul.
Entrepreneurial & Leadership Barriers – I provide training, mentorship, and business guidance for aspiring birth workers and wellness practitioners to help them establish their own practices and create sustainable careers.
What Sets Me Apart?
I believe what makes me different is my ability to blend spiritual, holistic, and practical wellness approaches while honouring ancestral traditions. My work is deeply personal and rooted in lived experience, allowing me to connect with my clients authentically and creatively. Unlike many mainstream wellness and maternal care services, I prioritise cultural identity, ancestral wisdom, and community-based healing, ensuring my clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported.
Additionally, my commitment to education and advocacy extends beyond individual clients—I work to create systemic change by training birth workers, leading community initiatives, and advocating for better health outcomes in historically marginalised communities.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I am most proud of my work’s impact on the lives of the individuals and families I serve. From helping a mother reclaim her birth experience to guiding a client through a personal wellness transformation to mentoring the next generation of birth workers—each story is a testament to the power of holistic, culturally rooted care.
I am also proud of the community I have built through Rooted in Wisdom, where I provide educational workshops, resources, and mentorship opportunities for those seeking deeper understanding and connection in their wellness and birth work journey.
What I Want People to Know About My Work
I want people to know that my work is not just about wellness or birth but about reclaiming sovereignty over our bodies, health, and spiritual well-being. It is about honouring the wisdom of our ancestors, breaking cycles of neglect and misinformation, and creating a future where holistic, culturally competent care is accessible to all.
If you are looking for a guide, a mentor, or a supportive space to heal, grow, and learn—I invite you to connect with me. Whether through one-on-one services, group workshops, or online content, my goal is to empower, educate, and uplift every person I encounter.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Other than training and knowledge, community, resilience, and alignment with purpose are crucial factors for succeeding in my field.
Success in holistic wellness, birth work, and entrepreneurship isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you are connected to. A strong support system—mentors, fellow practitioners, or a network of like-minded individuals—can make a huge difference. This work can be emotionally and physically demanding, and being surrounded by people who uplift, challenge, and support you is essential. Beyond personal connections, building trust within the community you serve is just as important. People need to feel safe, seen, and understood. In birth work and holistic wellness, much of our success comes from word-of-mouth referrals and relationships, so being present, engaged, and genuinely invested in the people you serve is key.
Another crucial factor is resilience. This field requires deep emotional labour—holding space for people during their most vulnerable moments, witnessing trauma, and navigating systemic barriers. Developing self-care rituals, boundaries, and grounding practices are essential to avoid burnout. Additionally, persistence in the face of challenges—whether financial struggles, lack of institutional support, or societal pushback against traditional practices—is critical. The ability to adapt, problem-solve, and stay committed sets apart those who thrive from those who give up.
Beyond resilience, alignment with purpose plays a significant role in long-term success. People can sense when someone is genuinely passionate and committed to their work. My work is about more than just providing services—it’s about honouring my ancestors, creating spaces for healing, and empowering others to reclaim their health and well-being. When your work is rooted in a higher purpose, staying motivated and navigating obstacles becomes easier. Authenticity in business and practice allows clients to connect with you deeper, building long-term relationships and community impact.
At the same time, passion alone isn’t enough. Many birth workers, healers, and holistic practitioners struggle because they lack the tools to build a profitable and sustainable business. Financial literacy, strategic planning, and business acumen are essential to making this work viable in the long run. Understanding pricing, marketing, networking, and financial management ensures sustainability, allowing you to serve your community without financial stress. Diversifying income streams—through teaching, digital products, courses, retreats, or consulting—can also help create long-term stability.
Success in this field often means becoming an advocate, not just for clients but for systemic change. Whether fighting for better maternal health policies, increased access to holistic care, or dismantling harmful medical biases, standing firm in education and advocacy is crucial. Those who go beyond simply offering services and work to educate, empower, and shift narratives often have the most significant impact.
Ultimately, succeeding in this field isn’t just about knowing—it’s about having the heart, vision, and resilience to keep going. If you can build a strong community, remain emotionally grounded, stay financially stable, and operate in alignment with your purpose, success will naturally follow.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of authentic relationship-building, strategic content creation, and word-of-mouth referrals. In my field, trust is everything. People are not just looking for a service; they’re looking for someone who genuinely understands their needs, values their experiences, and provides a safe, empowering space for healing and growth.
Building strong, authentic relationships has been at the core of my success. Whether through one-on-one connections, community engagement, or workshops, I prioritise being present, accessible, and deeply invested in the people I serve. This level of personal connection fosters trust, leading to long-term clients and referrals. Many of my clients have come through word-of-mouth, which happens when people feel genuinely cared for and valued.
Strategic content creation has also played a key role in expanding my reach. I create educational and inspiring content that resonates with my audience by leveraging social media, blogs, and digital marketing. Sharing insights on holistic wellness, birth work, spirituality, and self-care establishes credibility and allows potential clients to connect with me before ever booking a service. Consistency in storytelling, visibility, and engagement has helped grow my brand beyond my immediate circle.
Additionally, hosting workshops, trainings, and speaking engagements has been instrumental in attracting new clients. These spaces allow me to showcase my expertise while creating a community-driven experience where people feel seen and empowered. Many clients encounter my work through these events and later seek one-on-one services or mentorship.
Ultimately, the most effective strategy has been operating from a place of authenticity, service, and purpose. By showing up fully, nurturing relationships, and offering value beyond just transactions, I’ve grown my clientele organically while making a lasting impact.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photographer Manuel Philippe