Considerations for Midwife Business Partnerships: Building Success Together
Entering into a business partnership as a midwife involves careful consideration of various factors to ensure mutual success and alignment of goals. Here are key considerations for midwives contemplating a business partnership: Shared Vision and Values: Ensure alignment in your vision for the practice and shared values regarding patient care, professional standards, and business ethics. Discuss long-term goals, growth aspirations, and commitment to collaborative decision-making. Complementary Skills and Expertise: Assess each partner’s strengths, clinical expertise, and professional skills that complement the needs of the practice. Identify areas where each partner can contribute uniquely to practice management, patient care, and business development. Legal Structure and Agreements: Select an appropriate legal structure for the partnership, such as a partnership agreement, limited liability partnership (LLP), or professional corporation (PC). Define roles and responsibilities, profit-sharing arrangements, decision-making processes, and dispute resolution mechanisms in a formal partnership agreement. Financial Planning and Investment: Discuss financial contributions, initial investments, and ongoing financial commitments required from each partner. Establish clear guidelines for revenue distribution, expense sharing, and financial accountability to ensure transparency and fair compensation. Risk Management and Insurance: Review insurance needs, including malpractice insurance coverage for each partner and the practice as a whole. Develop risk management strategies to mitigate potential liabilities and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Communication and Collaboration: Foster open communication channels between partners to promote transparency, trust, and effective decision-making. Establish regular meetings and protocols for discussing practice management, patient care issues, and strategic planning. Exit Strategies and Succession Planning: Outline exit strategies and contingency plans in case of partner retirement, relocation, or unexpected circumstances. Develop a succession plan to ensure smooth transition of responsibilities and continuity of patient care. Professional Development and Training: Commit to ongoing professional development, continuing education, and training to stay current with clinical advancements and industry trends. Support each partner’s career growth and skill enhancement to enhance practice capabilities and patient outcomes. Ethical Standards and Patient Care: Maintain high ethical standards and uphold patient-centered care principles in all practice operations and clinical decisions. Ensure compliance with professional codes of conduct, regulatory guidelines, and healthcare laws. Conflict Resolution and Mediation: Establish protocols for addressing conflicts or disagreements constructively through mediation or professional consultation. Prioritize relationship-building and conflict resolution strategies to preserve partnership harmony and practice cohesion. By addressing these considerations thoughtfully and proactively, midwives can forge successful business partnerships that foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth. Effective partnerships not only enhance practice efficiency and patient care but also contribute to professional fulfillment and long-term success in midwifery practice.
Compound Effect: Creating your Midwife Business on Step at a Time
Creating Your Midwife Business Creating your midwife business another inspirational book was the “Compound Effect.” It really got down to the basics of habit creation for me. I am a very objective and logical thinking person. When I can calculate it, create an equation behind it, or have statistical data to translate the results, I understand it. “Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy talks about making little changes over a long period of time will have massive impact on your life. Whether it is business, finances, health, weight loss, personal development, or soul purpose, make little changes everyday. Start exercise 10min a day and then add 10 more mine in 2months. Give your body some time to create a habit around this lifestyle change before expanding to another level. Drink extra glass of water each day. Cut your dessert portion in half. Call one more networking person each day. Spend 5min everyday on personal gratitude and meditation. Buy a coffee pot versus stopping to gas station every morning for a “pick me up.” Success doesn’t happen over night. Be persistent and progressively going forward in your life’s goals and dream. You will succeed in time at WHATEVER you want to accomplish! As publisher of SUCCESS magazine, author Darren Hardy has heard it all, seen it all, and tried most of it. This book reveals the core principles that drive success. The Compound Effect contains the essence of what every super achiever needs to know, practice, and master to obtain extraordinary success. Inside you will find strategies on: – How to win every time! The No. 1 strategy to achieve any goal and triumph over any competitor, even if they’re smarter, more talented or more experienced. – Eradicating your bad habits (some you might be unaware of!) that are derailing your progress. – Painlessly installing the few key disciplines required for major breakthroughs. – The real, lasting keys to motivation, how to get yourself to do things you don’t feel like doing. – Capturing the elusive, awesome force of momentum. Catch this, and you’ll be unstoppable. – The acceleration secrets of super achievers. Do they have an unfair advantage? Yes they do, and now you can too! If you’re serious about living an extraordinary life, use the power of The Compound Effect to create the success you desire. Begin your journey today! We created the course, Tips for Running a Successful Midwifery Practice, to teach you all you need to know about being a midwife. https://www.amazon.com/Compound-Effect-Darren-Hardy/dp/159315724X
Compliance Regulations: Why They Are More Important Than the Average Midwife Thinks
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, understanding and navigating compliance regulations is crucial for businesses aiming for sustained success. Midwives play a critical role in providing maternal healthcare and supporting expectant mothers during one of life’s most transformative experiences. While the focus of midwifery is on delivering excellent care, it’s essential to recognize the paramount importance of compliance with regulations and legal standards. In this blog post, we’ll delve into why compliance regulations are more critical than many midwives may realize and the benefits of adhering to them. 1. Patient safety is paramount Compliance regulations are primarily designed to ensure patient safety. They set standards for the quality of care, hygiene, infection control, and emergency protocols. By adhering to these regulations, midwives help create a safe and secure environment for expectant mothers and their babies. 2. Legal Consequences Non-compliance can have severe legal repercussions. Failing to meet regulatory requirements may result in fines, loss of licensure, and even legal action. Midwives must be aware of the specific regulations in their region and follow them diligently to avoid legal issues. 3. Reputation and trust Compliance enhances a midwife’s reputation and trustworthiness. Expectant mothers, their families, and healthcare providers are more likely to trust a midwife who follows regulations. A strong reputation can lead to a thriving practice and positive word-of-mouth referrals. 4. Insurance Coverage Compliance is often a prerequisite for professional liability insurance. Without insurance, midwives are exposed to significant financial risks in the event of malpractice claims or other legal issues. Being compliant can ensure that you have the necessary coverage in place. 5. Access to Collaborative Care Collaborative care with physicians and hospitals may be contingent on compliance with regulatory standards. Access to hospital facilities and specialist consultations may be limited if midwives do not meet these requirements. 6. Ethical Responsibility Midwives have an ethical obligation to provide the highest standard of care. Compliance regulations are in place to uphold these ethical principles and ensure that midwives practice ethically and responsibly. 7. Quality Improvement Compliance regulations often require ongoing assessment and improvement of midwifery practices. This continuous quality improvement can lead to better patient outcomes, improved care, and a deeper understanding of best practices. 8. Risk Mitigation Adhering to regulations is a key strategy for mitigating the risks associated with complications during childbirth. Having clear protocols and following evidence-based guidelines can reduce the likelihood of adverse events and legal liability. 9. Data Security and Privacy Regulations related to health information privacy (e.g., HIPAA in the United States) are crucial to safeguarding patient data. Mishandling or unauthorized disclosure of patient information can lead to serious legal consequences. 10. Compliance is Evolving Healthcare regulations are continuously evolving to adapt to new challenges and technologies. Midwives must stay updated on changes in regulations to ensure ongoing compliance and avoid falling behind in their practice. Compliance regulations are a cornerstone of safe and responsible midwifery practice. Midwives should recognize that these regulations go beyond paperwork and bureaucracy; they are essential for ensuring patient safety, maintaining professional integrity, and protecting their practice from legal and financial risks. By prioritizing compliance, midwives can uphold the highest standards of care and contribute to a safer and more trusted healthcare system for expectant mothers and their families.
Comparing Earnings: Average Salary vs. Income for Midwife Business Owners
Navigating the financial landscape as a midwife involves understanding the income disparities between those employed in traditional roles versus those who own their practices. Here’s a comparative analysis of what midwives typically earn and what midwife business owners can expect: Average Salary for Midwives Salary Range: The average salary for midwives varies widely based on location, experience, and practice setting. General Figures: According to recent data, midwives in the United States earn an average annual salary ranging from $80,000 to $120,000, depending on factors such as geographic location and employment sector (e.g., hospitals, clinics, birthing centers). Factors Influencing Salary: Experience: Entry-level midwives typically earn less than those with years of experience and specialized skills. Location: Salaries can significantly differ between urban and rural areas, reflecting cost-of-living disparities. Practice Setting: Midwives working in hospitals may have different earning potentials compared to those in private practice or community health centers. Income for Midwife Business Owners Earnings Potential: Midwife business owners have the potential to earn higher incomes compared to employed midwives, but this varies based on practice size, patient volume, and business acumen. Revenue Sources: In addition to clinical services, midwife business owners can generate income from ancillary services (e.g., lactation consulting, childbirth education classes), which can supplement earnings. Financial Considerations: While income can be more variable and dependent on business success, midwife business owners have the advantage of controlling practice finances, setting service fees, and managing overhead costs. Investment in Growth: Successful midwife business owners reinvest profits into practice expansion, technology upgrades, and staff development, further enhancing earning potential. Key Considerations Financial Stability: Employment offers a predictable income stream, whereas business ownership entails financial risks and rewards based on practice performance. Work-Life Balance: Business owners often have flexibility in setting schedules and managing workload, potentially improving work-life balance compared to employed midwives. Career Satisfaction: Business ownership can provide greater autonomy, professional fulfillment, and the opportunity to shape patient care delivery according to personal and professional values. Conclusion Understanding the financial implications of being a midwife employee versus a business owner is essential for career planning and decision-making. While employed midwives benefit from stable salaries and employer-provided benefits, business ownership offers potential for higher earnings, autonomy, and the ability to create a unique practice environment. Both paths require careful consideration of financial goals, market factors, and personal preferences to achieve long-term career satisfaction and success in the field of midwifery.
Communication is Key to Success or Failure in Midwifery Business
Communication is Key Communication is key both inside and outside of your organization to a successful midwifery business. Effective communication strengthens the connections between practice, staff, and consumers. It benefits your midwifery business in numerous ways: stronger decision-making and faster problem-solving; earlier warning of potential problems; increased productivity and steadier workflow; stronger relationships; clearer and more persuasive marketing messages; enhanced professional images for both employers and companies; lower employee turnover and higher employee satisfaction; and better financial results and higher profits from your practice. The Importance of Communication The importance of communication is not surprising when you consider the staggering amount of time people spend communicating on the job. The need for communication skills is important in virtually every career. The most successful midwifery businesses are run by midwives who have taken courses such as business writing, leading, persuading, selling ideas, negotiating, interviewing, conducting meetings, resolving conflicts, and working with cultural diversity. It is just as important for your staff to be trained in communication as you to improve success and profits, and fulfilling your midwifery business mission statement. If you learn as a midwife to write well, speak well, listen well, and recognize the appropriate way to communicate in various business settings, you’ll gain a major advantage compared to other midwifery businesses you are competing against. Take the time to listen to staff and clients, learn the tools for crucial conversations, and be open-minded when challenges or confrontation arises. These valuable communication skills will help you long-term in running a successful midwifery business. Moreover, your communication plays a key role in efforts to improve efficiency, quality, responsiveness, & innovation. Communication as a Midwife doesn’t just have to do with Business Running. Everyone needs effective communication tools and skills. In our personal life, having conversations with partners, children, family, and friends needs good communication skills. When we want to clearly discuss our goals, opinions, and feelings, it is vital to know how to be respectful and create a win-win situation. Most safety, staff confrontations, divorces, or frustrations with life come from breakdowns in communication. When we misinterpret someone’s intentions, words, or the context of a statement, that is when tension, mistakes, and friction arise. Miscommunication and inability to clearly communicate with one another will rot any midwifery business to the ground. We want to flourish and serve as many women as possible. That takes skills and patience to learn new habits of listening and talking with one another. Biases and subconscious past experiences will shape how you talk and what thoughts are going through your mind when someone talks with you. Be aware of those preconceived thoughts and acknowledge them. Let them go in one ear and focus on the person in front of you. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarity if misunderstandings of instructions or viewpoints are mentioned. Be able to give feedback and a different perspective professionally. Take the time to think about the best way to word your viewpoint and suggestions. Having a team approach to care and creating a business model is vital to success in today’s healthcare system. Many minds with different life experiences will only benefit your practice’s long-term success. Be approachable and allow for open, respectful communication to occur among the owner and employees of your midwifery business. It is amazing what a group of women can create for their community when open communication is present.
Commonly Used Supplies in a Midwife Home Birth Practice
Homebirth Supply List I get many questions from new homebirth practices whowhat are exactly is needed and optional with homebirth supplies. For Certified Nurse Midwives that just left the hospital setting, they can relate to the reference about instruments, and of all those Labor and Delivery Unit supplies being brought with you to a client’s home. You will want routine care supplies like a doppler, gloves, gel, stethoscope, and instruments and also all the rare emergency supplies like medications and resuscitation supplies. The amount of each supply will vary greatly by how many families you serve and the radius that you serve. With a smaller volume practice where it is much easier to restock between births, less is carried. For large volume practices and large birth radius, carry enough supplies to do 2-3 births in a row is wise. Our goal is to be safe, anticipate needs, and not break our back in the process! Commonly recommended home birth supplies Some midwives carry more or less depending on their state regulations, comfort level, and skillsets. Most midwives do Basic Life Support certification with a few that do have Advanced Life Support certification. If a midwife doesn’t have the skills or training to do an advance maternal or newborn resuscitation, it doesn’t make sense to carry advanced airway intubation supplies (that would be role of EMS upon arrival). Some midwives do all the newborn care the first month of life while others only do the initial examination with a referral to pediatrician or family practice physician for continued care. That will impact which newborn screening supplies you have for follow up postpartum home visits. I typically have three bags with me. One bag is for prenatal visits that holds my doppler, gel gloves, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and urine dipsticks, pens, and charting paperwork. Largest bag, we called “Goliath” for a good reason was all the birth supplies and heaviest to carry (oxygen tank was in there). Last bag was typically left in the car with spare goodies that are nice to know they were available, but rarely needed (spare clothes, extra batteries, extra birth supplies and supplies didn’t need to carry for every birth). My style was feeling comforted by having many extra items and rarely needing them than wishing I would have brought one more birth set since I did those three deliveries in a row prior to restocking. Here is a recommended home birth supply list (some people take more or less things so use this as a reference guide): Maternal Equipment Doppler Fetoscope Maternal Stethoscope Blood Pressure Cuff Thermometer Reflex Hammer Adult Ambubag Nasal Canula Oxygen Tubing Delivery Instruments (blunt tipped scissors, clamps, ring forceps, rectractor) Suturing Instruments (needle driver, scissors) Suture Materials (chromic, vycril) Maternal Supplies Peribottle Flashlights Headlamp Sharps Container Gloves (sm, med, & lg) Sterile Gloves (sizes 6-8) Lubricant (single packs) Gel for Doppler Hand Sanitizer Sanitizing Wipes Needles (22 gauge & 27 gauge – mother & newborn IM injections) Syringes (1mL & 5mL – Pitocin, Vitamin K, & antibiotics) Alcohol Swabs Underpads (usually family provides, but I always have extra) Plastic Bags for Placenta (family provides) Trash Bags (family provides) Bowl for Placenta (family provides) Cookie Sheet for Newborn Resuscitation (family provides) Towels (family provides) Fishnet for Waterbirths (family provides) IV Supplies (IV start kit, tubing, Lactated Ringer bags) Wrist Watch with Seconds Charting Paperwork Pens Back up Batteries Phone Charger Spare Clothes Medications Pitocin / Oxytocin Cytotec / Misoprostol Methergine / Methylergonovine Tylenol / Acetominophen Motrin / ibuprofen Bendryl / Diphenhydramine HCl Antibiotics for GBS pos clients Essential Oils / Herbs Eucalyptus Lavender Orange Peppermint Crampbark Tincture Ginger Ginseng Red Raspberry Leaves Chamomile Echinacea Nettle Leaves Blue Cohosh (use with caution) Black Cohosh (use with caution) Newborn Medications Vitamin K Erythromycin Oxygen Tank Newborn Equipment Baby Stethoscope Otoscope Newborn Ambubag Laryngoscope ET tubes (various sizes) Pulse Oximeter Heel sticks Metabolic Screening Cards Newborn Supplies Cord Clamps Tape Measure Baby Scale (clothe hangers with hanging weight scale) Heating Pad (usually family provides) Baby Blankets (family provides) Diapers (family provides) We’ve developed our course, How to Run a Successful Home Birth Practice, to give you a comprehensive rundown for your practice.
Common Tax Deductions Missed by Midwives
Tax deductions can significantly reduce the taxable income for midwives and help them save money on their annual tax bills. . However, it’s important to be aware of the potential deductions that are often missed. Common Tax Deductions That Midwives May Overlook: Home Office Deduction: If you have a dedicated space in your home used exclusively for your midwifery practice, you may be eligible for the home office deduction. This deduction can include a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, and property taxes. Mileage Deduction: Midwives who travel to provide care for patients may be able to deduct mileage expenses related to business travel. Keep detailed records of your mileage for business-related trips to claim this deduction. Health Insurance Premiums: Self-employed midwives can deduct the cost of health insurance premiums for themselves, their spouses, and dependents. This deduction can significantly reduce your taxable income. Medical Expenses: Medical expenses that are not covered by insurance, such as equipment purchases or continuing education costs related to your practice, can be deductible. Keep receipts and records of these expenses. Business Supplies and Equipment: Deduct the cost of supplies and equipment used in your midwifery practice, such as medical instruments, office supplies, and computer equipment. Continuing Education Expenses: Expenses related to professional development and continuing education, including tuition, travel, and course materials, can often be deducted. Professional Association Dues: Membership dues paid to professional organizations, such as midwifery associations, are typically deductible. License and Certification Fees: Deduct fees paid to obtain or renew your midwifery license or other required certifications. Meals and Entertainment: Expenses related to business meals and entertainment, such as meetings with patients or referral sources, may be partially deductible. Retirement Contributions: If you have a retirement plan for your business, such as a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k), contributions made to the plan are deductible. Tax Preparation Fees: Fees paid to a tax professional or software used to prepare your business taxes can be deductible. Interest on Business Loans: Interest on loans used to finance your midwifery practice can be deductible, subject to certain limitations. Legal and Professional Fees: Legal and accounting fees related to your business, such as consulting with an attorney or accountant, can often be deducted. Employee Wages and Benefits: If you have employees in your practice, their wages, health insurance, and other benefits are generally deductible business expenses. Travel Expenses: Deduct expenses for business-related travel, including lodging, meals, and transportation, when attending conferences or providing care outside your local area. Bad Debt Deduction: If you have unrecoverable patient debts, you may be able to deduct them as bad debts. It’s important to keep detailed records and receipts for all deductible expenses and consult with a tax professional who specializes in self-employed healthcare providers or small businesses. They can help ensure that you take advantage of all available deductions while staying in compliance with tax laws and regulations. Additionally, tax laws can change, so staying informed about current deductions and tax codes is crucial for maximizing tax savings.
Common Questions Midwives Should Ask at A Job Interview – MBC
We talk too many times about what business owners and recruiters should ask at a job interview midwives when picking the best person to join their teams. We rarely talk about how important it is for the interviews to be a “two-way street” where the candidate is asking just as many questions as the hiring practice. We want to know that this job and role is the best fit for us short and long term just as much as the practice wants to see if you are that best candidate. I talk with new graduates and established midwives that have been burned by not asking the right questions during interviews when taking a position. Midwives are a vital part of a team and there are complex practice styles across the US to understand. Don’t pick a job position from a wage alone. Pick a position based on your collaboration support, your vision of how to practice midwifery, and community that is being served for the practice. These are common interview questions I provide clients: Why is there an open position with the practice? What is the average time with group and clinical experience the midwives have? What is the mission of the team as well as the organization’s mission? What are the goals of the practice to accomplish the next one to give years from now? What is the collaboration support like between the physicians, nurses, midwives, and administration? What does a typical week for the midwife on the team look like? What is the average patient volume seen by the midwives each day? What is the cesarean section rate of the obstetrical department? What is the ratio of obstetrical care versus gynecological services I would be offering with the team? What does the typical patient cultural demographics does the practice serve? Related Content: Creating Collaborating Relationship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH3Q_EFGRN8
COMMON MYTHS WITH STARTING A MIDWIFERY BUSINESS
COMMON MYTHS WITH STARTING A MIDWIFERY BUSINESS When starting a midwifery business, many focus on the vision and mission to serve our families. When the thoughts of all the steps for starting and maintaining that practice creeps in, many midwives decide that working for a hospital or another midwifery practice is a safer option. During my consults, I hear very consistent themes among midwives of why it is “too difficult” for them to start a practice. I want to break down those barriers and provide inspiration that ANYONE can run a successful midwifery practice of their dreams if proper resources, training, and support are provided. It is important to understand common midwife myths when you decide to start your own midwifery business. The midwife is commonly seen as a near-mythical figure, like the village elder that attended all births in villages of old. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective) this is a definite misconception. Midwife services have come a long way and provide many benefits for expecting mothers and her health needs. Here are a few of the most common midwife myths about running a midwifery business. Assisting with birth is the only practice I can open as a midwife It is commonly thought that midwives only work with pregnant women and help them create amazing birth experiences. However, midwives are able to provide many additional services. There are so many needs for women and birth is just one aspect of that scope. Well woman services, gynecological support, menopausal therapy, newborn care, and so much more can be offered by midwives. By providing full scope midwifery care, women are able to continue women’s health support before and after having their children. I have to be on call all the time When creating an out of hospital midwifery practice, babies come at all hours of the day and night and midwives assume they have to be available all the time for families. Creating a team practice from beginning, finding great collaborating established practices, or creating a midwifery practice that doesn’t offer birth support can fill those barriers of feeling you need to be on call all the time. Each midwife is in a certain part of their life where being on call all the time isn’t realistic. I don’t have any money to start a practice This is by far the most common excuse I hear for why the midwife’s dream practice can’t be started. Most midwives think they need to start small and use their own hard earned cash to grow their midwifery practice. After many years of running midwifery practices and taking business courses, I have learned all the different ways to find funding for starting your practice. With a strong business plan and proper planning, finding the funding right from a bank or private investor will be the easy part of your opening phase. Running a business is too hard and risky I do agree that starting a business is hard, but with proper business foundation put into place, the running of your business will get easier with time. We are creating an investment into yourself, your community, and the future generations. There are protocols, planning steps, training, contracts, supplies, pick location, marketing, and much more that is needed in the beginning. Once your practice is going first couple years, it will be more maintenance and tweaking of your overall mission versus creating it. I think working for someone else is more risky than running my own company. I get to do what I love, on my own terms, and my own schedule. I don’t have to worry about new budgets in departments saying the midwifery practice is closing next week. I don’t have to compete with other midwives to find jobs in places that don’t I don’t like just to pay the bills. I do each and everyday what I love and on my own terms. That doesn’t seem hard or risky to me. I will make more money working at a hospital practice This is a common one I hear among Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Midwives. Certified Professional. Direct Entry Midwives and Certified Professional Midwives go into training with the only option of starting their private practices. Your salary for running your business really depends on your planning, structure, services offered, and team you put together. You can make WAY MORE MONEY always working for yourself than someone else. I want to help midwives shift from making that money from their own time, but creating amazing businesses that have staff that will be a good chunk of their income streams. We only have so many hours in the day and only so many ladies we can see on our own. I will figure things out as problems come along Truth be told that the first step is always the hardest. With most everything that you aim to accomplish about your business, the first step is always the hardest to complete because you have zero momentum. You have to pick up out of nowhere and begin. Oftentimes, you may not even know where to begin so you avoid the task or project altogether. Starting a business can seem overwhelming if you try to look at every single thing that needs to be accomplished. By working with a business consultant like myself, you get someone that helps you through the planning process and avoid many of the mistakes new entrepreneurs make. Let’s not make mistakes with your own precious time, money, and clients. Once I start my midwifery practice, I will serve everyone since there is such a need This idea is so vague that anyone might misinterpret it. If you look at a number of midwifery websites, you may notice that they more or less all say the same thing – informing you what a midwife is, how they help, and that if you’re pregnant, connect with them. The truth is, everyone has an ideal client market to serve and your job as a
Common Myths of Starting a Midwifery Business – MBC
When starting a midwifery business, many focus on the vision and mission to serve our families. When the thoughts of all the steps for starting and maintaining that practice creeps in, many midwives decide that working for a hospital or another midwifery practice is a safer option. During my consults, I hear very consistent themes among midwives of why it is “too difficult” for them to start a practice. I want to break down those barriers and provide inspiration that ANYONE can run a successful midwifery practice of their dreams if proper resources, training, and support are provided. It is important to understand common midwife myths when you decide to start your own midwifery business. The midwife is commonly seen as a near-mythical figure, like the village elder that attended all births in villages of old. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective) this is a definite misconception. Midwife services have come a long way and provide many benefits for expecting mothers and her health needs. Here are a few of the most common midwife myths about running a midwifery business. 1. Assisting with birth is the only practice I can open as a midwife It is commonly thought that midwives only work with pregnant women and help them create amazing birth experiences. However, midwives are able to provide many additional services. There are so many needs for women and birth is just one aspect of that scope. Well woman services, gynecological support, menopausal therapy, newborn care, and so much more can be offered by midwives. By providing full scope midwifery care, women are able to continue women’s health support before and after having their children. 2. I have to be on call all the time When creating an out of hospital midwifery practice, babies come at all hours of the day and night and midwives assume they have to be available all the time for families. Creating a team practice from beginning, finding great collaborating established practices, or creating a midwifery practice that doesn’t offer birth support can fill those barriers of feeling you need to be on call all the time. Each midwife is in a certain part of their life where being on call all the time isn’t realistic. 3. I don’t have any money to start a practice This is by far the most common excuse I hear for why the midwife’s dream practice can’t be started. Most midwives think they need to start small and use their own hard earned cash to grow their midwifery practice. After many years of running midwifery practices and taking business courses, I have learned all the different ways to find funding for starting your practice. With a strong business plan and proper planning, finding the funding right from a bank or private investor will be the easy part of your opening phase. 4. Running a business is too hard and risky I do agree that starting a business is hard, but with proper business foundation put into place, the running of your business will get easier with time. We are creating an investment into yourself, your community, and the future generations. There are protocols, planning steps, training, contracts, supplies, pick location, marketing, and much more that is needed in the beginning. Once your practice is going first couple years, it will be more maintenance and tweaking of your overall mission versus creating it. I think working for someone else is more risky than running my own company. I get to do what I love, on my own terms, and my own schedule. I don’t have to worry about new budgets in departments saying the midwifery practice is closing next week. I don’t have to compete with other midwives to find jobs in places that don’t I don’t like just to pay the bills. I do each and everyday what I love and on my own terms. That doesn’t seem hard or risky to me. 5. I will make more money working at a hospital practice This is a common one I hear among Certified Nurse Midwives and Certified Midwives. Certified Professional. Direct Entry Midwives and Certified Professional Midwives go into training with the only option of starting their private practices. Your salary for running your business really depends on your planning, structure, services offered, and team you put together. You can make WAY MORE MONEY always working for yourself than someone else. I want to help midwives shift from making that money from their own time, but creating amazing businesses that have staff that will be a good chunk of their income streams. We only have so many hours in the day and only so many ladies we can see on our own. 6. I will figure things out as problems come along Truth be told that the first step is always the hardest. With most everything that you aim to accomplish about your business, the first step is always the hardest to complete because you have zero momentum. You have to pick up out of nowhere and begin. Oftentimes, you may not even know where to begin so you avoid the task or project altogether. Starting a business can seem overwhelming if you try to look at every single thing that needs to be accomplished. By working with a business consultant like myself, you get someone that helps you through the planning process and avoid many of the mistakes new entrepreneurs make. Let’s not make mistakes with your own precious time, money, and clients. 7. Once I start my midwifery practice, I will serve everyone since there is such a need This idea is so vague that anyone might misinterpret it. If you look at a number of midwifery websites, you may notice that they more or less all say the same thing – informing you what a midwife is, how they help, and that if you’re pregnant, connect with them. The truth is, everyone has an ideal client market to serve and your job as a business owner