Meet A. Marlene Wofford of Duncanville

Today we’d like to introduce you to A. Marlene Wofford.

Hi A. Marlene, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
2020 was a pivotal year for me. It was the first time in my life where everything truly slowed down and I had the space to turn inward. In that stillness, I came to an honest realization: I was living a life that looked successful on the outside, but wasn’t fully aligned on the inside. I had a solid career and a good income, and I genuinely enjoyed what I was doing—but I wasn’t truly happy. More than that, I realized I didn’t even know what happiness looked like for me.
During that season of isolation, I reconnected with my inner self and began defining happiness on my own terms. For me, it came down to freedom, connection, and family. As I gained clarity around the life I wanted to build, I knew I needed to be in a different environment—one that supported growth, community, and expansion. That realization ultimately brought me from Iowa to Texas in search of like-minded individuals who could sharpen my knowledge, broaden my experiences, and challenge me to grow.

Once in Texas, my work deepened quickly. I began working with a master herbalist and partnered with a mental health facility to integrate holistic and natural healing practices alongside modern therapy. From there, I built my own somatic and energetic healing practice, incorporating natural herbal remedies and embodied healing modalities. In these spaces, I saw a consistent theme—so many people felt stuck, stagnant, and caught in repeating cycles, longing for a more fulfilling and intentional life. That realization strengthened my conviction around intentional living and my desire to teach others how to live with greater awareness, purpose, and alignment.

While building my business, I experienced a profound personal loss when someone very close to me passed away. That moment caused me to pause, reflect, and pivot once again. It deepened my commitment to living as authentically and intentionally as possible, because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. That truth became central to my work.

As a birth and end-of-life doula, I have the privilege of witnessing life in its full expression. While I focus primarily on the end-of-life space, my work is not about death itself—it’s about how we live. It’s about planning intentionally, making conscious choices, and living so fully that when the time does come, there is peace in knowing nothing was left unfulfilled. For me, this intentional process begins at birth and carries through every stage of life. I also recognize that living a fulfilling life has a financial component. As a licensed financial advisor, I support my clients with the education, resources, and guidance needed to fund their passions, protect their families, and build sustainable futures. Bridging emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial well-being is essential—and it’s where I see the greatest impact. Seeing the deep need for this integrative, life-centered work ultimately led me to become the Doula Grada—a noble woman of service.

I believe deeply in building intentional family foundations: mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and financially. Whether someone is starting a family, planning for the future, protecting what they’ve built, or navigating end-of-life decisions, I am here to guide them with clarity, compassion, and purpose. Through Intentional Ways, my mission is simple—to help people feel empowered, supported, and confident at every stage of life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. It’s been bumpy, with more than a few potholes along the way. When I started this journey in 2020, I was also coming out of an abusive relationship. A large part of my initial motivation wasn’t just to build something new, but to heal myself—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—from the trauma I had experienced. That healing became the foundation of my work.

On top of that, I relocated across the country. Anyone who’s made a big move knows how challenging it can be to resettle, learn a new environment, and truly acclimate. Texas was a very different pace and culture from Iowa—from the traffic to the lifestyle—and that transition required resilience and adaptability. Especially since I was still traveling back home to help my family with my grandmothers care.

Then there’s entrepreneurship itself. Starting a business comes with a steep learning curve—figuring out how to attract clients, secure funding, build systems, and sustain momentum. There were plenty of lessons, missteps, and moments of uncertainty as I learned how to bring my vision to life in a practical, sustainable way. Client retention is critical and at times I was so spread out. I didn’t have a stable space to consistently see clients which greatly affected my growth and retention.. I had to realize some of the business connections that I had made were not as solid as I had believed them to be.

During that already challenging season, I experienced a profound personal loss. My grandmother—who was my best friend, mentor, and greatest source of guidance—passed away. Losing her was incredibly difficult, and in many ways, it felt like I lost her twice. She had Alzheimer’s, so I grieved the gradual loss of her presence and spirit before losing her physically. That grief deeply impacted me and forced me to pause, reflect, and reorient my life once again. There were days I couldn’t even get out of bed. That experience ultimately became transformative. It’s what led me to explore death, dying, and grief more deeply—not from a place of fear, but from a place of understanding and service. It clarified my purpose and strengthened my desire to help others navigate life’s hardest transitions with intention, dignity, and support. While the road hasn’t been easy, every obstacle shaped the work I do today and reinforced my commitment to living—and helping others live—with authenticity, compassion, and purpose.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a Doula Grada, alpha through omega doula, I specialize in helping individuals and families live—and transition—through life with intention, clarity, and peace. What I’m most known for is bridging spaces that are often kept separate: emotional and spiritual care with practical works, financial planning. I work at the intersections of birth, life, death, and legacy, supporting people through some of the most meaningful and vulnerable moments of their lives.

What truly sets me apart is that my work around birth and end-of-life isn’t focused on birth or death itself—it’s focused on living fully. As an end-of-life doula, I help individuals and families prepare emotionally, mentally, and spiritually so that when the time comes, there is less fear, less chaos, and more peace. That preparation often begins long before the end, It begins at birth. Through intentional conversations, values-based planning, and legacy work that honors the whole person and the family system.

At the same time, I address a critical piece that is often overlooked in this space: finances. As a licensed financial professional, I help clients protect what they’ve built, fund their future goals, and ensure their loved ones are supported. Financial stress can deeply impact end-of-life experiences, and my role is to bring clarity and structure so families aren’t left making difficult decisions in moments of crisis. I help people align their money with their values, their care wishes, and their legacy.

My brand and my services are rooted in intentionality. I don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Every client, every family, and every season of life is different. I meet people where they are and walk with them—whether they are planning ahead, navigating a transition, or seeking peace and understanding at the end of life. With two decades of experience in mental health, education, somatic healing, metaphysics and finance I meet my clients on their journey; wherever they are. Holding their hand to get them to where they’re going.

At its core, my work is about dignity, empowerment, and wholeness. Through Intentional Ways, I help people feel supported and confident knowing their emotional, spiritual, and financial foundations are aligned—so they can live fully in the here and now then transition with peace when the time comes.

I offer a variety of customized packages Each based on the needs of the client and their family. It is important to me to get to know my clients on an intimate level allowing me to cater to their needs, passions and aspirations. For me, my brand is a testament of stewardship. A noble woman serving her community.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What truly makes me happy is knowing that the work I do genuinely makes a difference. I feel deeply honored to hold space for others in moments that require trust, presence, and care—spaces that not everyone is equipped to step into. Being able to support people in meaningful ways is something I don’t take lightly.

What fulfills me most is empowerment—both my own and others’. Helping people reconnect with their sense of agency, live with intention, and take ownership of their peace, their choices, and their overall well-being is incredibly motivating for me. When someone realizes they have the ability to shape their life with clarity and purpose, that’s powerful.

I’m also driven by the long-term impact of this work. What I do isn’t just about the present moment; it creates a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities for generations. Knowing that my work contributes to lasting change—emotionally, spiritually, and practically—is what brings me the greatest sense of fulfillment.

That….and tacos!

Pricing:

• Doula Services range from $366- $1000
• Free Financial Consultants

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.intentionalwaysllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a1_lotus
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GZ9YiUTSz/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamamarlene