The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I have quietly offered bereavement support to anyone, anywhere in the world for the last couple of years and it has taken a lot of behind the scenes work to get to where I am now, so only now am I finally launching a ‘big girl’ business. I guess you could say this is me in the blossoming stages.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I am the companion and cheerleader behind the scenes so breakthroughs for me look like the bereaved mum having the confidence to speak her baby’s name in public, the postpartum mum joining a mums’ group and making friends, despite crippling postpartum depression and anxiety or a mum giving birth at home after a traumatic birth or previous bereavement.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I will schedule everything as much as possible because I know this helps us feel secure as a family. With my job there will always be unexpected phone calls or visits that don’t always fall into the regular 9-5 that most parents work, so I have to make sure that whenever possible our rhythm is always the same. l also only take on a few clients at a time – this way I am able to support myself, our family and my clients with an overflowing cup.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
We have no family in New Zealand so I needed to have the patience to slowly create a life where I have the ability to take on doula work. This has meant that my husband needed to be self-employed so that he could take over primary care giver roles at the drop of a hat. This was no quick fix and patience isn’t always my strong suit but we have overcome that.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The pro is that I can mold and shape La Lucia into wherever my heart takes me. I can also take time off when I need it. This is my dream come true but it also means there is no predictable pay cheque coming every month. I am responsible for the success of this business. It’s all on me and sometimes that can be scary considering how long I have been working towards this dream.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I am currently working on combining yoni steaming and reiki so as to double the healing benefits for women going through hormonal imbalances, infertility, menopause and also for new mums in the postpartum period. 2020 is the year when my life is all set up and ready to take on doula clients more regularly and also have full days for reiki/yoni steaming and I am so very excited about this! It has been a long time coming.
Visit Terri’s website to learn more about La Lucia and the amazing support and services she offers. You can also join her supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram.
