Are you ready to hit the reset button and step into what’s next? As we move toward 2026, this is an invitation to leave behind the struggles, self-doubt, and limiting mindsets that no longer serve you and intentionally choose growth instead.

Growth doesn’t mean doing more for the sake of doing more. It means adapting a positive, grounded growth mindset one rooted in learning, support, clarity, and possibility. Whether you’re a doula just starting out, a seasoned professional craving deeper mentorship, or a leader ready to evolve, this is your moment to reset, refocus, and grow with intention.

BBU Doula Trainings are designed to prepare doulas for real-life work: combining evidence-based education, hands-on skills, and confidence-building support.

I created these Doula trainings after a decade of being the owner of Chicago Family Doulas.  I have seen every scenario and have a deep understanding of what families need to feel supported and what doulas need in order to be successful in this space.

These trainings cover everything you need to get started in this career or to grow in your career as a doula.

Bonus, these trainings are accepted by Carrot, Maven, Medicaid programs in many states and many insurance companies.

Learn more about BBU Doula Trainings here.

Mentorship bridges the gap between training and thriving. In 2026, BBU mentorship programs will offer structured guidance, peer connection, and support rooted in real experience.

These mentorship programs have been created and designed by me and I integrated my years of experience mentoring and coaching my team.

Being part of one of our mentorship programs gives you not only the live sessions, but during and after your program you can reach out with questions and we will offer guidance and support.

Having guidance from someone who has been a doula, mentored doulas and built a very large doula agency can change the course of your career.  You will be able to see things differently and take steps towards your bigger dreams and goals.

Explore BBU Mentorship Programs here.

From boundaries and pricing to systems and sustainability, this means that 2026 is a year to build a practice that supports you, not one that drains you.

I spend the month of January re-evaluating our systems, dreaming and taking action on those dreams and ideas and mapping out the year ahead.  

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What do I want to accomplish and what will I need to do to make this happen? 
• Who do I need to connect with this year to grow and accomplish my dreams? (choose 3-4 people or companies)
• What learning do I need to grow into the person I am envisioning myself becoming this year?
• What are the concrete goals and how will I track my progress?

Running a doula agency requires leadership, clarity, and support. Our Agency Owner Mentorship Program is designed for founders navigating growth, hiring, and long-term sustainability.

I started my agency out of necessity and being way too busy. I am sure many of you can relate and have either built agencies for this reason or are considering building an agency for this reason.

There is no handbook or even one way to do things.  There are many systems to support and none are perfect.  It is a unique business with so many learning curves and navigation.  I had to figure this all out and I want to make this easier for you.  That is why I created this program!

Learn more about Agency Owner Mentorship here.

Birth work is not meant to be done alone. That’s why, in 2026, we’re continuing to foster spaces where doulas and leaders can connect, collaborate, and grow together.

There are many things you can do to be a part of a community and feel connected.  Here are a few ideas and places to start:

• Join online doula groups on Facebook
• Organize a doula meet-up at a coffee shop or restaurant
• Create an online doula group
• Connect with a prenatal yoga studio or pelvic floor PT. Ask if you can organize a doula meet up there and see if they can share about how pelvic PT can support pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Doing things like this connect you to the doula community AND helps you build your perinatal professional network!

Ongoing education in trauma-informed, culturally mindful, and ethical care remains a priority: supporting families while honoring your scope and well-being.

There are so many incredible classes and learning opportunities. Commit to learning. Set a goal of 2-4 classes, workshops or books and plan these out. Without the planning, they may not happen. 

Your work should allow room for family, rest, and joy. 2026 is about designing careers that support full lives: inside and outside of birth work.

This is EASIER said than done! This is also deeply personal. For me, this means getting to make breakfast and lunch for my kids, driving them to school, having a family dinner with all of them at least a few times a week, traveling with them multiple times a year without needing to work and being home with them MOST of the year. These are my goals and things that I actively commit to. As a business owner, there are some days and weeks I do this better than others. Every single year I am finding more and more balance. I am excited to see the balance that comes from this year.  

Imagine what this looks like for you and write down the baby steps and the goals to make this happen. If you are currently working 60 hours a week, realistically you will not go down to 20 hours next month while making the same income.  BUT you can start thinking of what passive income streams you can create and what other talents you may have to support this vision.

Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional, 2026 is a year to lead with clarity, intention, and confidence in the work you’re doing.

You need to first have a vision so take the time to reflect and dream. Incorporate all I shared and BE CONFIDENT!

As much as 2026 is about growth and leadership, it’s also about presence. I’m committed to slowing down where it matters and spending more time with my family, traveling together, and finishing our journey to visit the final seven states on our list. That balance fuels everything I build and teach.

Whether you’re just starting out, seeking mentorship, or leading a growing agency, there’s a place for you at Birth & University.

➡️ Explore Doula Trainings:
https://birthandbabyuniversity.com/certified-doula-trainings/

➡️ Join a Mentorship Program:
https://birthandbabyuniversity.com/mentorship-programs/

➡️ Learn About Agency Owner Mentorship:
https://birthandbabyuniversity.com/mentorship-programs/

I can’t wait to learn, grow, and lead alongside you in 2026!