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January 2007
our feature mompreneuer
kindred spirit..childbirth services
kimberley fernandez [founder, doula, mom]
what is kindred spirit?
kindred spirit childbirth services is my baby. it is primarily a doula service with me as the doula. eventually, I will also offer pre-natal classes, and further in the future, postpartum care as well.
what is the story behind your business name?
well, I had created my own logo, (not the one I currently use) and it had a beautiful K in it. so I wanted my company name to start with a K. which isn’t easy as there is not a whole lot of birthing or mothering words that begin with K. so out came the dictionary and the word Kindred popped out at me. and the rest is history...
how, when, and where did kindred spirit come to life?
while on maternity leave with my third child and last child I was a bit melancholy about her being the last, going back to work, leaving my other children in daycare and I knew I had to stay home with them. and I knew that I didn’t want to give up birthing and given I wasn’t having more children that left me to think of something else. I looked into becoming a labour and delivery nurse. unfortunately the time, the schooling and the non-medical stuff I would have to do like charting and what not didn’t really appeal to me. I widened my search and came across “Doula” as a profession. well after reading what a DOULA does, I was hooked. so I took the training, and set about getting my certification and registered my business name so I could start taking on clients.
what inspires you to do what you do?
after my training I was still a little unsure of whether this was the way I wanted to go, so I asked a pregnant friend if I could doula for her and she said yes. well after the birth of her son, I was driven even more. helping a mom cope with the pain, seeing her strength and determination to bring a baby into the world and seeing a new life emerge is a truly incredible and indescribable feeling. I can’t imagine anything more exciting or rewarding.
what did you do before kindred spirit?
actually, I used to be a Supervisor at a Chemical Distributor. I went from one extreme to the other. I couldn’t imagine going back to an office and working in that atmosphere again. I’m so much happier now.
how do you market and sell your products and/or services?
this is one of the hardest questions. I’ve done free advertising on many doula websites. I belong to two organizations that have referral lines. I tell anyone who wants to know what it is I do and wait for word of mouth. aAnd I try to talk to as many doulas as possible to get my name out there in the birthing community. it is hard work but with perseverance it can pay off.
what are the 3 words that you would use to describe yourself as a mompreneur?
busy! dedicated! and tired!
what are the 3 (inanimate!) things that you couldn't live without as a mompreneur?
my computer, my cell phone and my birthball! I love my birthball!
what are the 3 greatest challenges that you face/d as a mompreneur?
personally, I think the greatest challenge comes from juggling my desire to do what I love and making money to pay the bills. they don’t always play well together.
stress is also a big problem. usually the stress I put on myself in trying to wear too many hats. but my mom hat is always the one I choose first. and finally making time for my husband. we both seem to be working so hard that sometimes we barely speak to each other except to say good morning and good night.
finally, what would you advise a mom who is thinking of starting her own business?
nothing ventured, nothing gained. just do it. if you fail at least you tried and said you did as opposed to never trying at all. find what you love and follow your dream!
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founder/owner: KIMBERLEY FERNANDEZ
email: kfernandez@sympatico.ca
telephone: 416 269 3802 (between 9am and 9 pm)
website: www.kindredspiritchildbirthservices.com
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would you like to be our next featured mompreneur? if you have a product or service that caters to moms or babies, or is kid-friendly, or family-oriented, you could be our next featured mompreneur! each month, mom2mom toronto spotlights a different mom and business on our website and newsletter -- click here for advertising cost and for more details.
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did you know...
- that investing in building your online reputation through articles and online networking groups is one key ingredient to your success as a mompreneur?
( from © The Globe and Mail." Stay-at-home Moms Stay the Business Ccourse," by Roma Luciw. Saturday, March 3rd 2007 )
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