The Essential Doula Business Guide
A Soulful, Practical Guide to Building a Thriving Birth Business
Passionate about birth work but overwhelmed by the “business side” of things? You’re not alone.
So many brilliant doulas are in your same situation, doing sacred work while struggling to make it sustainable.
This self-paced online class gives you the tools, structure, and encouragement you need to build a business that supports both your clients and yourself, without being overwhelming or stressful.
This Class is for you if…
You feel called to serve—but your pricing, boundaries, or systems feel unclear or unsustainable.
You’ve been avoiding taxes, legal paperwork, or record-keeping because it feels too hard or too scary.
You want to grow your doula practice with integrity, warmth, and professionalism.
You wish someone would just show you the exact steps—with kindness, clarity, and understanding.
What You’ll Learn
Each module is designed to guide you step-by-step through the essentials of a grounded and thriving doula business…
Module 1: Legal & Logistical Foundations
How to set up your business legally in your state
What kind of insurance (if any) you actually need
Navigating the paperwork without panic
Module 2: Setting Your Fees with Confidence
How to price your offerings without guilt
How to know what your real expenses are
Honoring your worth while staying accessible
Payment plans, discounts, and honoring your energy
Module 3: Record-Keeping & Intake Essentials
Easy methods to track income and expenses
Intake documents, letter of agreement templates, and how to use them well
Creating systems that make your life easier (and protect your business)
Module 4: Taxes & Bookkeeping Without Fear
What’s tax-deductible for doulas
What tax form(s) you need
Quarterly vs. annual taxes
Bookkeeping systems that are simple and sustainable
Module 5: Boundary-Setting & Burnout Prevention
How to create respectful, clear client relationships
Setting limits with love including navigating texts and calls outside of business hours
Real strategies for preventing compassion fatigue
Module 6: Marketing with Heart
How to attract the right clients without gross or salesy gimmicks
Social media tips that feel aligned
Growing your reputation and referrals in an authentic way
Bonus Class: 10 Ways to Actually Get Clients
Final Bonus Module: The Launch Checklist
A complete, printable checklist to launch your business with clarity
Includes broken down steps and actions to implement all you’ve learned.
What’s Included
6 rich training modules delivered in video + written format
Templates and printables: intake forms, contracts, marketing prompts, record-keeping tools
A downloadable Doula Business Checklist for clarity and confidence
Lifetime access so you can return anytime
Discounted rate to my optional Private Doula Mentoring Program (this is a private offering I have that I don’t advertise to the public — please email me for more info)
Meet Your Guide
Hi, I’m Melissa Chappell—a midwife, doula trainer, and woman who knows what it’s like to juggle sacred birth work with real-life responsibilities.
I’ve trained over a thousand doulas and supported countless women through pregnancy and postpartum. I was also raised by entrepreneur parents. Over the quarter century I’ve been doing this work, I’ve also started eight successful businesses and helped countless others build thriving practices and businesses outside of birth work.
This class was born from the questions I get every single week from doulas just like you.
This isn’t just about business. It’s about sustainability — so you can keep showing up for the women you serve, while being deeply supported yourself.
“This Doula Business Course is exactly what I needed to start my business! I binged the modules in 1 day and was so excited for all of the information. Melissa broke it all down in easy, comprehensible lessons and that helped me not to feel so overwhelmed. This was a one-stop shop for the essential things I needed to get done, as if Melissa was holding my hand the whole way through. This course also saved me from spending too much of my time and energy researching every step, and I could use more time on the creative, engaging parts of my business. I also loved the marketing tips! ChatGPT can be helpful at times, but even that didn’t give me all the tips and information that Melissa did in this course. Would highly recommend if you’re starting your Doula business!”
—Dani
Join Now
This class is designed to pay for itself many times over as you raise your rates, serve more aligned clients, and operate with peace of mind.
Make this the year your doula business grows with clarity, sustainability, and heart.