In this episode of the Birth Boss podcast, host Jodi Congdon sits down with Kathleen Lawson, a small business consultant and growth strategist, about the essential foundations of starting and growing a business. We start with the importance of hiring the right people, which is not always easy!

Throughout the episode, Kathleen talks about the necessity of having standardized processes in place to make delegating easier and the significance of understanding the return on investment when making hiring decisions. She also gives great information to help figure out which positions are the best to hire for and which tasks are the ones we continue to take on.

Our conversation also touches on effective marketing strategies, the value of networking and referrals, and the importance of aligning values when hiring. We conclude with shared insights on the importance of self-awareness in business and the mantra of "measure twice, cut once" as a guiding principle for entrepreneurs.

You can find Kathleen at:

Website: https://kathleen-lawson.com/

IG: @kathleenlawsonstrategist

✔️ Follow Jodi Congdon:

Instagram
Website

Birth + Postpartum Professionals (Facebook Group)

✔️ Create Your Six or Seven-Figure Doula Business:

Birth Boss Society (for Solo Doulas and Agency Owners)

Hip to Heart Birth Boss Academy

✔️ From Solo Doula Business to Agency:
Hip to Heart Agency Program

In this episode of the Birth Boss podcast, host Jodi Congdon interviews Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a chiropractor, sleep consultant, author, course creator and master of the CEO lifestyle.

We start by going through the evolution of Dr. Sarah's business and how she developed (and perfected!) her boundaries over time. She shares her insight on how she effectively manages her time as a busy CEO and the significance of personal development, specifically for doulas diversifying their offers to include virtual care, like sleep consulting.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Sarah graciously shares her wisdom on how to create the perfect schedule, no matter what season it is, and how prioritizing happiness promotes success!

Find Dr. Sarah Mitchell here:

Website: https://www.helpingbabiessleep.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/helpingbabiessleep

✔️ Follow Jodi Congdon:

Instagram
Website

Birth + Postpartum Professionals (Facebook Group)

✔️ Create Your Six or Seven-Figure Doula Business:

Birth Boss Society (for Solo Doulas and Agency Owners)

Hip to Heart Birth Boss Academy

✔️ From Solo Doula Business to Agency:
Hip to Heart Agency Program

Feeling like you're never doing enough? You're not alone. In this raw and real conversation, Jodi Congdon sits down with business and boundaries coach Katie Grimes to unpack the toxic productivity loops that birth professionals and agency owners get stuck in. From people-pleasing to feast-or-famine cycles, to never taking a true day off—this episode dives deep into why we feel this way and how to finally shift out of it.

Expect mindset breakthroughs, nervous system hacks, and practical systems that support the doula lifestyle (yes, even when you’re on call or running an agency).

⏱️ Timestamps & Topics:

0:00 – Welcome + Meet Katie Grimes
1:03 – The cycle of not doing enough and how it spirals
2:34 – People-pleasing in birthwork and fixer mode
4:37 – Feast or famine realities for doulas
7:14 – Why so many doulas go back to a 9–5
9:55 – Making it easier for clients to buy from you (systems tips!)
12:20 – Email autoresponders + automations that save hours
14:58 – How to make space for CEO time (and stop overpromising)
17:27 – Why you must give yourself more time than you think
20:52 – Katie’s 4-Line Nervous System Model: Joy to Trauma
25:00 – Level 2 warnings: anxious poops, skipping meals, irritability
28:00 – Quick nervous system reset tools (no, really—just hum)
30:11 – Social media pressure, procrastination, and smart delegation
33:32 – Do doulas really get clients from Instagram? (Spoiler: Not the way you think)
35:19 – Smart networking tips (what to say instead of “can I pick your brain?”)
39:50 – ADHD, stress, and the high of procrastination
42:11 – Breaking the cycle: Thoughts → Feelings → Behavior
45:40 – How our childhood stories influence how we show up in business
48:00 – Start with one small habit shift (not five big ones)

📌 Resources Mentioned:

• Katie's Instagram: @kg.katiegrimes
• Feelings Wheel: thefeelingswheel.com
• Book a coaching call or apply to work with Katie: [Link shared in DMs after inquiry]

✔️ Follow Jodi Congdon:

Instagram
Website

Birth + Postpartum Professionals (Facebook Group)

✔️ Create Your Six or Seven-Figure Doula Business:

Birth Boss Society (for Solo Doulas and Agency Owners)

Hip to Heart Birth Boss Academy

✔️ From Solo Doula Business to Agency:
Hip to Heart Agency Program