For many entrepreneurs and small businesses, social media can be an absolute game-changer! All it takes is one viral post and a business can suddenly take off.
At Like A Voss Social Media, we’re highlighting local businesses and entrepreneurs who are killing the online game. This week’s spotlight is on Teaisha Whittingham, mother of three, a surrogate mother of two and Labour and Bereavement Doula.
Teaisha’s Divine Doula believes everyone deserves the chance to have a doula, regardless of their birth plans. I offer support for labour and birth as well as postpartum support. I recently completed my stillbirth course and I’m now offering support for anyone going through a loss. I have also added some homemade products to my website, whipped Mango butter which is really good for dry skin and is safe to use on the whole family, another new addition is pink Himalayan bath salts.
Our CEO Mandi interviewed Teaisha about her secret to success in business and in life. We also got some awesome insights into what they think makes social media such an effective tool in business.
A Little Bit About Being a Female Entrepreneur
1: How long have you been in business?
I have always enjoyed working for myself, when my husband got posted to Kingston 14 years ago, I decided to open up my own home daycare. Being a military wife and mom working from home was the best thing for our family. Then 4 years ago when I was pregnant with my second Surrogate child, I hired a doula for that birth. I loved the idea of having a doula and all the benefits that I decided to open my own business after completing my course through Doula Training Canada.
Been in business for myself now for 14 years as a home daycare.
2: What made you decide to break away from the 9-5 and start Teaisha’s Divine Doula?
I mean I still work the 9-5 lol with having my own daycare, but of course to me it’s not really work, as I absolutely love my job! As for my doula business if I have a client then I’m on call from 37 weeks until the baby makes their arrival and that’s of course the fun part.
3: What do you love most about being a female entrepreneur?
I love everything about being my own boss, for me being able to just work for myself and loving after my family is key for me.
4: What is the hardest thing you have had to overcome as a female entrepreneur? Something you did not foresee when you decided to start your own business?
I haven’t really had a hard time with business to be honest with you, if anything it’s been good. I get to meet some amazing people and the jobs of seeing a baby being born is pretty incredible.
5: What is one thing about working in the birth industry that people would be surprised to learn?
You can have both a midwife and doula, most people believe you can’t have both, a doula is there for the mom/birthing person and is there to offer support. While the midwife or the OB is the one helping to care for the mom and baby medically. Doulas also don’t take away the role of a partner if anything we work together to provide assistance.
And Now Onto The Social Media Questions!
6: Do you have a favorite social media platform?
I love Instagram, it’s so easy to use at least for me it, and then I just linked everything to Facebook.
7: What made you decide to start using social media as a way to promote your business?
I use both social media and word of mouth, however, I like social media so I can connect with past/future clients and just for networking.
8: How has social media impacted your business? Would you say that it’s an effective marketing tool?
Oh definitely, however, I don’t just rely only on social media,I believe face to face is also important especially in my line of business where the clients have to feel comfortable with me.
9: What advice would you give to other businesses and entrepreneurs who want to use social media as a way to connect with customers?
Engage with your followers, let them get to know you, it’s not all about selling however promoting one’s self is also key and building relationships with your customers in the key.
A Little More About Teaisha
I moved to Canada when I was 10 years old, from Jamaica right to very cold Yellowknife, which was a big culture shock, to say the least. As a child, we traveled a lot and I was lucky enough to see most of Canada, of course, I didn’t enjoy the long drive from Yellowknife to BC looking back now I wished I could do it all over again so I can appreciate what a beautiful country Canada truly is. I love a good book with a glass of wine or a nice cup of tea depending on the mood. Spending time in my garden and being able to grow my own vegetables is so important to me, even though I’m terrified of earthworms lol. I’m at my best when all my kids are around me, they’re my everything, and being around them gives me pure joy. I was a single mom with my daughter for 4 years, till I met my now-husband through the Toronto classifieds we have been married now for 21 years and have two sons together. I have a total of 6 siblings, 4 sisters and two brothers. My youngest brother is 5 years old and he’s pure joy to be around.
Connect with Teaisha
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Know Any Voss Babes?
Do you know a female entrepreneur who loves social media as much as we do? Contact us today – we’d love to tell her story!
