Exploring Life & Business with Chanel Washington of Take Care Doula Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel Washington.

Hi Chanel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The passion for what I love to do was forming within me from the beginning of my creation. My Ancestors were Midwives so I only saw fit to follow their paths. The journey started around five years old, I would always say ‘I want to deliver babies’, when asked, “What do you want to be when you’re older”, and watch A Baby Story on TLC Network religiously. As my adolescent years approached, I discovered a holistic way to birthing and started to understand politics vs self. Becoming a Doula in 2017 was the perfect way to get inside the room. I was granted to share sacred space with families from all demographics. Every birthing person needs a Doula. It is so important for all to have support and want advocacy during their journey. Doulas encourage women to believe in the strength of their bodies, not to be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions, being their guide through the process, educating them on childbirth, lactation, postpartum, and supporting both parents with knowledgeable skills. In 2021, I started my first year as a Midwife student and expected to graduate in 2024. The journey for me started when I saw myself as who I am today when I was little. I know I have made the younger me proud. There is still much work to do but with grace and a hustling heart, I know I will complete my mission one day.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Managing being an entrepreneur and a homeschool mom is challenging. I work special hours and Although my work is exciting, often I need a Doula. As a consultant, it’s best to read people. When I am interviewing clients I ask specific questions, and I do home visits to make sure we are all in safe environments. I will not disown my boundaries of comfortability if I don’t see a family as a good fit, and neither should anyone feel bad for protecting personal space. As a birth worker who shares spaces indefinitely, this is important.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Take Care Doula Services is deeply rooted in Ancestry. We believe your health is wealth. The energy you consume through conversation, oxygen, nutrition, and the time you spend with nature plays a huge part in the way you as a person define your character. Our mission is to disrupt tradition and help you find your true roots to find your divine self. We prepare specific plans and routines curated just for the client. We are firm believers in healthy lifestyles, proper nutrition, and we have focus on what works for you before and after pregnancy. I am known for Birth Doula Support, Placenta Encapsulation, Postpartum Support, Volunteering Doula support to mamas in need of extra care, and Teaching Childbirth Education courses.

What sets you apart from others?
Relevant experiences, areas of expertise, and a humble spirit. I believe the energy we exchange and either make a person’s day or leave a negative impact and with my work because it’s so sacred I try my best to always be honest, stay educated and up to date with research, and my nurturing character mashes perfectly. Staying consistent, being an entrepreneur the main ingredients is discipline and consistency. It gets hard, but every day I live with the motto “Keep Going”.

Take Care Doula Services is a Black Woman-owned business with traveling professional Doulas who support families throughout the U.S. through guided expertise and knowledge we use our roots to help such an intimate and sacred journey and wise research for particular cases. We encourage our families to be involved with their bodies and nature. Our website is expanding. There will be orders for herbal-infused hair growth oil, canna stretch mark cream, and more coming July 2023. We offer postpartum services, birth services, childbirth education classes, and classes specifically for the partner of the birthing person to have 1-1 training from a Doula to feel safe and knowledgeable throughout the birthing journey. Classes are in group sessions on Zoom or private classes only.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor can be really hard. Your desire is important, and trying to find someone who sees that same vision, who wants to genuinely help you get there can be difficult. I would say write down a very detailed description of your mentor and pray about it. Envision who you see. Be very detailed and allow God to bring it to you. What are you looking for in a mentor? Would a mentor benefit you? You have to put yourself in the field of networking but with a specific prayer of who you want your feet will guide you to where your mentor is. Take Care Doula Services mentors incoming Doulas. You can find more information on our website.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tcds.info
• Instagram: tcdsllc_