Tabling my first event April 14, 2012 January 2010: I drove to a small town in Iowa in a blizzard for the first of many doula and childbirth educational trainings. Before setting out to do so, I created a vision board for all of the things that I would hope to see come out of the decision to change careers.
April 14, 2012: I tabled the first of many events to promote services that included, but wasn’t limited to: offering birth and postpartum services, teaching classes and workshops, building a team, opening a space that would house all of these services and people, collaboration with complimentary service providers, teaching medical providers and consumers alike about the benefits of doulas before, during and after the birth of a mother and baby, and more importantly, the thing that drove me the most — holding the space for mother’s and their partners to own and tap into their innate power to make confident, informed decisions about their bodies and their babies.
After ten years, I reflect on all that A Woman’s Design has contributed in the birth community and with the clients we have had the privilege to work with, we have definitely left an imprint and have done all of those things I dreamed of. And I say that with all humility.
We have supported almost 300 families in the last ten years. That number may seem small but it was never about the numbers. It was always about the impact. We offered an emotional equity and hands on approach that could only allow us to serve so many families at a time. And we saw the benefits of working in that capacity.
We weren’t the only people doing this type of work. In fact, there were birth workers before me, during our time and more to come who will continue to support families in innovative and holistic ways.
The More They Stay The Same:
After sincere thought and consideration, we are humbled to announce the closure of A Woman’s Design, effective immediately, as we set our sights on new goals.
I have been at a crossroad for some time and my personal and professional passions have moved more in the direction of working one on one with female entrepreneurs who are having “babies” of their own: their businesses. It is an area that has been organically pulling on me for the past 5 years by way of mentoring young entrepreneurs at high schools, speaking at colleges, mentoring and coaching a small group of female service providers. From conception and growing to the next natural developmental phase of up-scaling, to overcoming external and internal obstacles — consulting and teaching the whole person, not just the entrepreneur, is a calling that I am grateful and prepared to live into.
What’s Next?
I don’t have a dream board this time. I am just going with the flow of opportunities. Opportunities that align with my core beliefs and values, my passions and where I feel at most at peace.
I will always continue to advocate for women’s health and rights, just... re-imagined.
This fantastic journey wouldn’t have been possible without you!
I want thank all of the families who trusted us during such vulnerable and intimates times. Thank you for trusting us with your dreams and fears. Thank you trusting us with your precious babies. Please keep the pictures coming. It is so fun to watch your littles grow up! Brilliant, adorable and hilarious they are!
I thank my amazing team, those who have come and gone throughout the years. I have learned so much from working with you. Your passion for women and families will continue to set this birth world on fire. I will continue to support you and root for you and the work that you are doing.
To the birth workers: doulas, doctors, midwives, massage therapists, mental health therapists, educators and the super cool creatives who created products and services tailored just for birthing people and their babies...wow!
What an honor it has been knowing you and working with you. Truly! What an amazing reminder to us all that we can’t do anything alone and together we can accomplish things bigger than ourselves.
To my family, friends, and mentors who have seen the sacrifices, tears and successes over the years and the behind the scenes wrestling with this decision...thank you for your offered wisdom and unconditional love and support...
Blessings upon blessings,
Natalia Hals
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