So I'm back in the "Customer Service" field once more. Although it's all good... I'm my own boss.
I'm a Doula (Woot! Birthing goodness ahead!) so I get to help pregnant and laboring women. All is wonderful!
...
Or it would be if not for the few, the proud, the stupid.
The Few
So I've had some advertising up in various places to grab the attention of pregnant women in the area. I get a lot of calls from people who are interested... but some just leave me going "Huh?"
*phone rings and I answer with breathless anticipation and glee*
Me: _________ Doula Services! This is NSI. *big smilie face*
Potential Client: Uh... Yeah! Ummm... I's just calling to see if you knew any Doulas near *insert my very own area*.
Me: Yep! I'm actually right in your area.
PC: Ummm.... Do you know how many Doulas are in the area?
Me: *confused* There's quite a few, really. Any particular reason you're asking?
PC: Erm... Uh... 'Cause I might need one in, like, a year or so.
Me: I'm pretty sure that no one's going to take on a client that far in advance...
PC: Well, could you get me their numbers?
Me: I'm afraid I can't. Sorry.
What do I sound like to you? A phone book??? If you're calling to book a Doula before you even think you might want to attempt to get pregnant... I gots news for you, Chica. You're out of luck.
And you sound like you might have hit 16 a few weeks ago. Should you even be thinking about having a baby????
The Proud
PC: I want to have an epidural, and pain meds before that. And my doctor will induce me two weeks before my due date...
Me: (Wow... So why do you want a Doula?) Ok...
PC: My friends are going to be sooooo jealous that I get to have a Doula for my labor and they can't afford one.
*shudders* Seriously? I'm not a fashion accessory. Really... I'm not. Please go pay for a more expensive Doula that will bow to your every whim and chortle with glee when you introduce her to your "friends"... I'm just not that type of Doula. Kthanxbye.
The Stupid
PC: So... Do you take Medicaid?
Me: Ummm... no.
PC: So you do this stuff for free?
Me: Ummmm... No.
PC: I can't pay you, but you'll get good experience!
Me: Sorry... I have expenses that I need to be able to cover.
PC: But it doesn't cost you anything to do this. Why do I have to pay you???
Jumping Jimminy Cricket!!!!! Let me count the costs:
The courses that I have to take to get certified
The business license that I need to pay for
The extra insurance that I have to have on my van
The gas that it takes to get to you for appointments and the birth
The babysitter that I have to have on-call at all hours of the day and night
The handouts that I give out during appointments
The MANY hours that I put into research and preparation for your birth
The supplies that I need to have at your birth
The fact that I could get a phone call at 3 in the morning to meet you
The 10-30 hours that I'll be there for your labor and delivery....
Yeah. It costs me absolutely nothing to do this job. Know what??? Go 'way now. My training and expertise do not come free. Cheap, maybe... but -not- free.
Other than those things... It's going great! I've already got two really awesome clients and the business side is fairly easy for me to manage since I'm good with paperwork. (Organization is KEY!)
Happy beginnings, everyone!
I'm a Doula (Woot! Birthing goodness ahead!) so I get to help pregnant and laboring women. All is wonderful!
...
Or it would be if not for the few, the proud, the stupid.
The Few
So I've had some advertising up in various places to grab the attention of pregnant women in the area. I get a lot of calls from people who are interested... but some just leave me going "Huh?"
*phone rings and I answer with breathless anticipation and glee*
Me: _________ Doula Services! This is NSI. *big smilie face*
Potential Client: Uh... Yeah! Ummm... I's just calling to see if you knew any Doulas near *insert my very own area*.
Me: Yep! I'm actually right in your area.
PC: Ummm.... Do you know how many Doulas are in the area?
Me: *confused* There's quite a few, really. Any particular reason you're asking?
PC: Erm... Uh... 'Cause I might need one in, like, a year or so.
Me: I'm pretty sure that no one's going to take on a client that far in advance...
PC: Well, could you get me their numbers?
Me: I'm afraid I can't. Sorry.
What do I sound like to you? A phone book??? If you're calling to book a Doula before you even think you might want to attempt to get pregnant... I gots news for you, Chica. You're out of luck.
And you sound like you might have hit 16 a few weeks ago. Should you even be thinking about having a baby????
The Proud
PC: I want to have an epidural, and pain meds before that. And my doctor will induce me two weeks before my due date...
Me: (Wow... So why do you want a Doula?) Ok...
PC: My friends are going to be sooooo jealous that I get to have a Doula for my labor and they can't afford one.
*shudders* Seriously? I'm not a fashion accessory. Really... I'm not. Please go pay for a more expensive Doula that will bow to your every whim and chortle with glee when you introduce her to your "friends"... I'm just not that type of Doula. Kthanxbye.
The Stupid
PC: So... Do you take Medicaid?
Me: Ummm... no.
PC: So you do this stuff for free?
Me: Ummmm... No.
PC: I can't pay you, but you'll get good experience!
Me: Sorry... I have expenses that I need to be able to cover.
PC: But it doesn't cost you anything to do this. Why do I have to pay you???
Jumping Jimminy Cricket!!!!! Let me count the costs:
The courses that I have to take to get certified
The business license that I need to pay for
The extra insurance that I have to have on my van
The gas that it takes to get to you for appointments and the birth
The babysitter that I have to have on-call at all hours of the day and night
The handouts that I give out during appointments
The MANY hours that I put into research and preparation for your birth
The supplies that I need to have at your birth
The fact that I could get a phone call at 3 in the morning to meet you
The 10-30 hours that I'll be there for your labor and delivery....
Yeah. It costs me absolutely nothing to do this job. Know what??? Go 'way now. My training and expertise do not come free. Cheap, maybe... but -not- free.
Other than those things... It's going great! I've already got two really awesome clients and the business side is fairly easy for me to manage since I'm good with paperwork. (Organization is KEY!)
Happy beginnings, everyone!
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