Victoria Gaston’s Doula Business Combines Traditional Techniques With Modern Approaches

Hi, Victoria! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

Hi, I’m Victoria. I am a 29-year-old NYC native, mama of five beautiful daughters, wife, and your BEST match postpartum doula. NewEra Doula was built on the belief that everyone deserves the best companion to help transition them into the fourth trimester. My biggest core value is inclusion for all unique family dynamics. My services combine traditional doula techniques with modern holistic/spiritual practices. I specialize not only in general postpartum and newborn care, but my services includes things like: traditional belly binding, sitz baths, herbal remedies, sound meditation, postpartum body massages, family-baby bonding activities, light meal prep (Puerto Rican & Asian fusion cuisine), and much more! I’m also a certified integrated lactation and feeding specialist and yoga instructor welcoming advanced breast/chest feeding and bottle feeding services and most importantly, movement into my practice.

Who are your customers?

Millennial, Gen Z (Upcoming generations) parents/families of all sexualities, genders, race/ethnicity.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

For about seven years I’ve supported families after birth on and off as a supporting neighbor, friend, or relative not as an official doula. I’ve wore many different hats within the NYC food and beverage industry for almost a decade. Eventually making my way into sales for one of the biggest entertainment companies. Although my experience within this field has been an overall amazing one, I’ve always found my way back to my community and being of service to families. Which led me to becoming an official doula through DONA International, completing their trainings last year of 2023. I’ve since birthed NewEra Doula LLC on February 9th 2024 and have been reaching out to my communities in NYC and NJ seeking to be of service to families who deserve the best match doula care around!

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

The corporate world is a tough place to remain in when you have multiple children. So much of my time was being taken from my kids and my husband and family. I longed to find something that I LOVE to do and also have the flexibility to be present and active with my family. Also, for a long time I knew I was built for a role that is much bigger than me and during my fourth pregnancy just last year it became clearer every day where that joy and readiness truly stayed with. My love for my kids and family, MYSELF above all, finally being confident enough in who I am and what I know I can bring into this world motivated me to take this leap of faith.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes, I have! My dream jobs may have changed over the years but I’ve always known.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

So far my biggest challenge is putting myself out there 100% and remain consistent as I am still working on navigating the marketing aspect of it all. But I am learning that the more I bring up who I am and what I do, word of mouth travels and people will come look for me after hearing about me.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

As these are the very early stages of my business I’d say that I am most proud of the simple fact that I have a registered LLC and have created a doula brand worth following and hiring.

Something to be super proud of! What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

You can expect NewEra Doula to not only support families postpartum but to educate the community — many of my targeted audience either has no idea what a doula is, has only ever heard of a birth doula, OR is just finding out that there are people out here specialized in helping their families directly after birth. NewEra Doula will be spreading awareness on the benefits to having the most optimal care possible after birth.

Such an inspiring mission, Victoria! What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

That I am NOT alone, that it is OKAY to ask for help and support. There are many people starting out just like I am and it’s important to understand that I will not and do not have all the answers and that’s OKAY too.

We know you’re an amazing Mamaprenista. Please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family:

I find that having a supportive partner who respects your space and time while working and entertains the kids if needed it’s amazing, but also making time for them as well (rest periods) or including the family in the business portion making it fun for everyone.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Canva — its encouraged me get creative!

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

JUST DO IT — it doesn’t have to be perfect, just do it and work with it as your grow.

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