Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikia Lawson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story begins as a little girl wanting to become an engineer and prepared her entire academic life for that career. Then, she got a spiritual epiphany and became a social worker and counselor with the intention of serving expectant teens experiencing crisis pregnancies.
That narrative also shifted when I was able to support my sister during her 4th birth, 22 years ago, and I served as her “unofficial doula.” I knew I was destined from her voice to God’s ears when she said, “Nik, this is what you’re supposed to be doing!” I didn’t know then that becoming a doula was my calling. I went on to get my undergraduate degree in social work and my master’s degree in counseling which I now use extensively in my support work as a certified, DONA International birth doula and approved trainer.
After working as a professional in social services and offering free to low cost doula care on the side to family and friends, I was approached to work exclusively for a community-based doula program as part of a local non-profit’s programming. I was ecstatic! Unfortunately, after two and a half years of serving the community, we closed our doors. It was such an amazing offering that I decided to pick up where the community program left off and recreate the program to focus on education, advocacy and support to predominantly black birthing families as an effort to bring awareness to infant mortality. It is The Natural Way Birthing Project and it is a community-based maternal and child health and awareness program dedicated to shedding light on the current black infant mortality and maternal mortality and morbidity crisis.
I currently facilitate monthly classes and workshops free to the community and affordable doula care to offer support to all moms who desire care. I am grateful for my ability to serve the birthing community in this capacity and it is an honor to help be the change I want to see.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Obstacles like funding, human resources, space to host and facilitate classes have been present and existent. But, the obstacles only make me more resilient and determined to offer the education, advocacy, and support that will change the outcomes of the lives I impact daily.
Another struggle is finding consistent help from volunteers and community leaders. People support what they believe and believe in. It is a challenge getting others to recognize the barriers that cause black mamas and babies to be more susceptible to death before the first postnatal. It is tragic but necessary to continue to speak my truth and go from there.
As a newcomer to the birth space who aims to serve a population of marginalized and underserved families create a self-care regimen from the beginning. Be sure to practice methods that will fill your cup so you can pour back into others’ lives. Also, be prepared to earn and serve. Focus on making a difference that will impact underserved communities, but also develop an ethic that will lead to a lifestyle change for yourself, as well. Both are important and have a place in the birth space, but you get to define that for yourself.
Please tell us about your business.
I absolutely love that I do-ula!
I am a professional doula (childbirth coach), educating and empowering families to have the birth of their choice.
I focus on serving communities of color and supporting other birth professionals in defining, expanding and building their brand. I also teach childbirth and breastfeeding education, provide placenta encapsulation services, breastfeeding consults, Bengkung belly binding and I am also a professional birth doula trainer and childbirth educator trainer. I serve as a birth business coach, along with speaking engagements when I am not serving the community and coordinating resources.
I am known for my positive way of motivating others to take the next steps to uplevel their experiences, be it the birth of their child or the building of their birth business. I really enjoy earning a lifestyle wage while serving the birth community as a whole.
I think what sets me apart is my consistent messaging and branding. And, my ability to win others over in an effort to see them succeed. I feel like there’s room at the top for everyone willing to put in the work, dedication, and effort to be successful in lifestyle and service.
I am most proud that I coined the phrase “earn and serve” in the birth community as an independent birth professional. I teach birth workers how to earn a lifestyle wage while serving the most vulnerable families in our communities. I agree that having a living wage is important, but that will only sustain bills and incidentals. However, creating a lifestyle wage will allow for the service of birth work to be more enjoyable and expansive when the compensation compliments the efforts.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Finding a mentor can be a challenge for a newcomer to the birth industry. It’s important to do the due-diligence and finds the guidance that offers a connection, as well as a direction. Taking time to interview prospective mentors is just as important as interviewing a spouse… both are necessary tasks. Be sure to get references and know what they can do for you, as well as what you can do for them. Create reciprocal relationships in mentoring and be ready to expand the critique, criticism, and praise.
When networking there are very specific skills and activities that make networking successful and fun. It is important to know how to interact in professional settings, as well as in private.
Networking and engaging positive mentors have never been a challenge for me because I attempt to remain prepared and find common points of interests when I engage others. Great communication skills, along with having my success sentences prepared to make networking fun!
Pricing:
- $300-$500 affordable Doula Care through my non-profit
- $225-$250 placenta services
- $25 affordable, private, weekly, Birth Planning Sessions
- free community childbirth education classes every 4th Saturday
- free monthly breastfeeding education and latch clinic
- $199 Birth Doula Training (for persons of color only)
- $599 Community Childbirth Educators Training (includes business, mentoring and skills teaching)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thenaturalwaybp.org
- Phone: 817-841-9291
- Email: nlawson@thenaturalwaybp.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNaturalWayBirthingProjectFtWorth
Image Credit:
professional image in banner by Katie Nixon, banner created by Nikki Greenaway
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
