Kellee Hollywood is a Holistic Birth and Postpartum Doula with a focus on holding space for women to birth on their own terms, without judgement. She is here to help and guide families through the birth and postpartum period, ensuring new mums feel at ease and enjoy this incredible transition into motherhood. It is her mission to help birthing women navigate this time with knowledge, respect, open communication and support. Through Earth Aunty, she is there to make women feel held and supported, as well as being someone to chat and open up to, hold baby while Mum takes a shower, and even prepare dinner. Here, Kellee talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind Earth Aunty and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I have always loved babies. I always had a baby on my hip from a young age. At family get togethers and at my brother’s footy games, I would corral the children and cuddle the babies. I always thought that I would have lots of kids of my own. Truth is, my husband and I have not been blessed with children and we do not know what the future will hold for us, but we’re hopeful and happy to have each other and our love continues to grow regardless. And we are lucky to have many nieces and nephews and friends’ children always call us Aunty and Uncle.
I’ve always been interested in women’s health in general, so when I stumbled into my mentor Jo Spies’ clinic in North Brisbane, I knew I was on the right path.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
After working with Jo for a year or so, I knew that I wanted to be present for women in birth and I wanted to change the systemic outcomes that we are experiencing in this country. I asked Jo to teach me to do what she does as a Holistic Birth Doula/Birthkeeper and before I knew it, I was in the throes of learning face to face in a specifically crafted course with other like-minded women and led by Jo. I also started assisting Jo in clinic with view to becoming a Homeopath in the future too.
I dove head first into creating and building my business. Having always been concerned about being frugal, caring for the Earth, recycling, reusing, repurposing and being a nature lover, animal lover and gardener, it was a no brainer to become Earth Aunty.
Spirituality and the guidance of the Universe and energy is very important to me, so I studied Reiki under Tiffany Smith of Reiki Restore and plan to become a Reiki Master under her guidance shortly. I also ground myself in women’s circles with a group who are very supportive and encouraging in opening up my natural psychic and spiritual abilities. I have been developing my knowledge of my spirit guides and looking for signs from my animal guides. Providing sacred space and connecting with women birthing on Country is very important to me and it’s a spiritual soul path for me to work on in my journeying.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for my business has been being considered to be at a dear friends Freebirth in the comfort of their home. Knowing that someone who I’d known and grown close to had wanted me to be a part of their birth was such an honour!
I am creating and innovating on so many levels that focusing on different areas of speciality is a breakthrough within itself every time I master something new. Not only do I provide birth support, I can support in postpartum – nourishing the new family with my cooking prowess, Yoni Steaming for the new mother and providing care for them in this beautiful, blissful time. I am a Placenta Artist and Encapsulator too. There are so many awesome things on the horizon!
