WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ASSETS FROM MIDWIFERY
Building your assets take some time, even years and decades to earn, yet it just takes a blink of an eye to lose everything. Bankruptcy, being sued, and losing everything is what businessmen (particularly in the obstetrical field) fear the most. We will never know what might happen tomorrow and preparation is an important task that we must consider. Losing your hard-earned money can also lead you to lose your mind because it is a nightmare that everyone is afraid of. Earning and gaining profit is important, however, protecting your current assets endures as much burden for anyone at any point in their lives. People just concentrate with the fact of earning more, but they forget that they also need to protect the current wealth that they have. Now, what can you do to make sure that you have every capacity to protect your assets? Of course, there are plenty of options available if you just know how to dig in the right data. With the increasing problems that arose during the pandemic, many people who were careless with their finance and assets are in enormous trouble. Here are some ways that you can do to protect your assets. 1. Separate Your Assets More often than not, business properties are the ones that are most hit when it comes to lawsuits? It is quite challenging to protect them entirely because they are exposed. However, you can keep your private wealth safe by separating it from your business or company. The best place to start is the bank accounts, especially if you own a sole proprietorship business. Usually, distinguishing the two is done for the sake of accounting, but it also has legal benefits. Also, try to draw a line between your assets and that of another person, such as a family member. For example, you and your spouse have a joint bank account. The money here is shared 50/50 between the two of you. So, in case of a divorce, this could be a huge problem. Of course, everyone would like to have a long-lasting marriage, that’s why no one can dispute the idea of joining accounts. However, if you feel–for whatever reason–that the unthinkable could happen, then, it is best to be proactive. Find the best asset protection company and employ its services. 2. Transfer Ownership of Your Assets This is the idea of having nothing but controlling everything. It is only reasonable that no one can take something away from you if you legally have nothing. So, how do you do it? The first option is to sign up with a company who specializes in this field. Cook Islands asset protection, for instance, will ensure that your wealth will not be at risk in case of a lawsuit. Alternatively, you can place the assets in your spouse’s name. Of course, this requires a lot of trust between the two of you. In case of a divorce, there could be severe implications in the division of wealth if care is not taken. So, it is up to you to weigh the situation and see which option works best for you. 3. Operate Your Business as an LLC Or A Cooperation As a sole proprietor, your private assets are exposed. Most of the time, they are attached to the business. To avoid such a scenario, it is best to operate your business as a limited liability company (LLC) or a partnership. What this does is that it makes it easier for you to separate your private and business properties. As such, in case of a lawsuit, it is way more challenging for the creditors to bring your wealth into the picture. So, what’s the difference between a corporation and an LLC? Well, the two are, more or less, the same, but have a few differences when it comes to the law. If the creditor is awarded a charging order against your portion of an LLC, all your distribution out of the company will go to the creditor. However, they cannot force you to make a distribution, and that may encourage settling of the case for the one holding the charging order may end up getting no money despite having access to the tax bill. 4. Engage In Proper Contracts Using fraudulent procedures gives creditors a leeway into your private properties. It is the easiest way for them to attack you and your business, and there’s little you can do when it gets to this stage. The best solution is to avoid contracts signed under the table. Ensure that every project goes through the required preparation channels before they are launched. Also, make it a habit to employ licensed professionals. They may include repairmen, legal contractors, and tax advisors. These people should also–if possible–be insured to avoid any legal repercussions. 5. Take the “Umbrella Insurance” Route Umbrella insurance is a personal or business insurance that covers all the other insurance services you may have. It will only cost you between $300 and $500 annually to cover assets of up to $2 million. Of course, you must be on the right side of the law to receive their assistance. So, if you find yourself in scandals involving fraudulent practices or negligent actions, then, it might be tough to rely on umbrella insurance companies. One significant disadvantage of this option is the fact that it offers up to $2 million coverage. Some entrepreneurs, however, may require protection of assets worth more than that. As such, it could be challenging for them to secure their wealth using this route. Protecting your assets is something that you should consider right from the start. Do not wait for a lawsuit for you to react. There are several ways to be proactive in asset protection. However, as discussed above, some of the options can be risky and could put you into more trouble if you’re not careful. Therefore, you need to consider all the possibilities before your preference. 5 Ways To Protect Your Assets And Properties
Ways To Prevent Midwifery Burnout – MBC
Prevent Midwifery Burnout All professions related to the medical field has never been easy-breezy type of job. It is extremely rewarding but can be stressful as well. Midwifery, as a type of medical profession, has been this stressful as well. This profession requires great commitment, hard work, and endurance. Midwives have stressful jobs in that they regularly deal with people with high anxiety. They are emotionally involved in the birth process. Their job also involves showing a lot of compassion, warmth, and understanding, which can be emotionally demanding. A new study indicates that 40% of midwives in the United States are burned out, stressed, and exhausted, putting them at risk of making medical errors and missing necessary patient care. Burnout also leads to less professional engagement, reduced productivity, absenteeism, and resignations, according to new research published in the leading journal, Health Services Research. While many speculate that the stress and exhaustion are due to working long hours or having too many patients, the researchers actually found the predictors of burnout to be poor leadership and support. Midwives cited a lack of professional recognition, staff and resources, control over clinical practice and practice autonomy, and a negative work environment. But researchers also found a reason for optimism. They say those problems can be fixed with cost-effective, straightforward changes in the practice environment. “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related toone’s job and• reduced professional efficacy Burnout cannot be easily cured by any medicine or medical procedures, it requires personal effort to sustain your mental, emotional and physical health. You need to attend to your own needs and realize your potential. But as they may say, prevention is better than cure, burnout can be prevented by following these ways.1.Early recognition of burnout and related risks• self-denial can occur2.Cultivate ability to self-reflecta. Attend to your own needsb. Realign goals and expectations for yourselfc. Evaluate a typical weekly schedule and reduce or eliminate unnecessary items3.Complete a periodic assessment and realignment of goals, skills, and work passions4.Exercise regularly5.Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet6.Get enough sleep7.Include daily enjoyable “timeouts”, such as yoga, a hobby, or meditation8.Build up your professional and personal support systema. Dedicated family timeb. Meeting with mentors to discuss setbacks, time management strategies, and otherperceived barriers Burnout is pretty common especially for midwives. With how stressful our work as midwives can be, we may experience burnout but take note that it is treatable, and you can absolutely recover from it. Always pay attention to your mental, emotional and physical health. Exercise, surround yourself with people who inspire you. There are so many things that you can do. We have an amazing FREE midwifery burnout course to help prevent and manage midwifery burnout: https://midwiferybusinessconsultation.teachable.com/p/how-to-prevent-and-recover-from-midwifery-burnout ReferencesBurnout in midwifery: An occupational hazard? Health Times. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://healthtimes.com.au/hub/midwifery/38/news/hw/burnout-in-midwifery-an-occupational-hazard/3504/Home. CALE Learning Enhancement. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://inside.ewu.edu/calelearning/psychological-skills/preventing-burnout/World Health Organization. (n.d.). Burn-out an “Occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. World Health Organization. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases Check out our amazing course on How to Prevent and Recover from Midwifery Burnout
WAYS TO MARKET YOUR MIDWIFERY PRACTICE WITH NO MONEY REQUIRED
Marketing your business is an important tool to ensure success in your midwifery practice. Consider it as the heart of your business’ success. You need marketing because, without it, your business may offer the best products or services out there, but none of your potential customers would even know. However, marketing in a traditional way like television, radio, posters, banners, newspapers will cost you a lot. If you are clever enough you can do some research in order to find ways how to market your business without spending too much. But if you have a little budget for it you may want to check some of my previous blog posts how to market your midwifery practice but in this article let’s talk about Marketing with a twist “No Money Required”. 1. Create a website Upon starting you midwifery business, your fundamental task is to let people especially your target market know everything about you and your practice. However, doing that will cost you a lot of money that is why having your own website is necessary. In your website you must project an image that builds confidence towards your customers. Your website establish your credibility and build trust to your clients. One of the major advantages of having a website is that it is accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Even during non-business hours, customers can access your website and avail your services or get the information they need, which is one of the key elements in the importance of a website in business. The website is always at work to ensure that customers who come in are always served in the comfort of their homes. You can make a website for free, but there are catches. Free accounts on website builders hold a lot of important features back. You can’t use custom domains, and your free site will have ads for that website builder. If you’re looking to learn more about website building then the free options are worth a look. 2. Create inspiring and educational content If you have established your website, posting an inspiring and educational content is a great deal. It will give your client a hint that they can receive something helpful from you aside from the services that you offer. Creating content helps businesses grow from the ground up. Your business website has to be well crafted with all the right content to reach your audience, providing the information they need to become a loyal customer. Of course content creation doesn’t cost you any amount of money, it only takes a little effort and a little amount of time to write down all the things that you know and wanted to discuss in relevance to your business. 3. Create your own unique business slogan A slogan is a catchphrase that represents a product or company and communicates the key benefit you want consumers to associate with your business. And if crafted with care, it can keep your brand front and center in the minds of consumers until they’re ready to buy. The role of a good slogan is to point towards the benefits of a product. Slogans are supposed to highlight your brand image and be memorable. Customizing brands with advertising slogans helps the audience to recall the business that in turn eventually makes them to develop a positive attitude towards the brand. Creating your own unique business slogan is free, you can search for a slogan generator online or you can gather your team and make brainstorm ideas about unique and catchy slogan. 4. Incorporate your friends and families in your business to advocate for you Surround yourself with positive people that can help you grow your business. Your friends and family aren’t just an important source of guidance; they are also a great, free resource for marketing your business. Simply sharing your posts, products and services is essential. It’s perfect and inexpensive way to expand your circle and present your practice to people who are not aware of your existence in the market. Supply them with business cards, flyers and any other tools they might need to endorse your business to the people they meet and deal with every day. Again, it’s free, unless they ask for compensation. 5. Be active in social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) Social media is an essential piece of your business marketing strategy. It provides a free avenue to market your midwifery practice. Social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram help you connect with your customers, increase awareness about your services, and boost your leads and sales. The effectiveness of using social media in marketing your business has been proven by so many entrepreneurs and you can see a lot of blogs that talks about how operational social media is. Again, it’s always free but you may spend a few penny to boost your post in order to reach more platform users but with the right strategy, this marketing way is very effective. 6. Post client testimonials Another way to market your midwifery practice without spending is posting your client testimonials. A testimonial is an essential element of marketing. It serves as an introduction to a company and to create context about a company’s background and customer’s satisfaction with the services offered. Testimonials are sales tools, but more than that, they provide social proof. They are used to display the business’ reputation. When you use client testimonials, you show new and old consumers that your services continues to add value. They also indicate that you invest in your clients by featuring their own words on your website, which encourages them and their colleagues to continue getting services from you. Client testimonials create something of a rewarding insight regarding your connection with your target audience. Consumers naturally trust each other more than they trust just marketing collateral, so that testimonial adds more weight to the decision they’re trying to make. 7. Email newsletter Creating your own articles and sponsorship collaborations with other businesses to educate the community awareness is vital.
Ways Midwives Can Make More Money in Their Lives with Unique Passive Income Streams
As a midwife, your work is undoubtedly rewarding, but it can also be demanding, both physically and emotionally. The financial landscape for midwives can sometimes be unpredictable, so exploring ways to supplement your income with passive revenue streams can help ensure greater financial stability while maintaining your passion for the work you do. Here are some unique and creative passive income streams that midwives can consider to boost their earnings and create lasting financial growth: 1. Develop Online Courses or Workshops Creating educational content is one of the best ways to build a passive income stream. As a midwife, you possess valuable expertise that can help expectant parents, birth workers, or even fellow midwives. Consider creating an online course or workshop series on topics such as: Prenatal care basics Birth preparation and coping techniques Postpartum recovery and care Breastfeeding education Infant care and safety Once you’ve developed your content, you can sell it online through platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or your own website. The beauty of online courses is that after the initial creation, they can generate income passively as long as the content remains relevant. 2. Write and Sell E-books or Guides Another way to share your knowledge and create passive income is by writing and publishing e-books or guides. Whether it’s a comprehensive guide on homebirth preparation or a detailed resource on postpartum care, e-books are relatively easy to produce and can be sold on platforms like Amazon or through your own website. This is a fantastic way to reach a broader audience while also establishing yourself as an expert in your field. 3. Launch a Subscription-Based Membership Site If you’re passionate about creating a community or offering ongoing support, a subscription-based membership site could be an ideal way to generate steady passive income. You can offer exclusive content such as: Monthly tips and resources Access to private forums or communities Webinars or Q&A sessions Downloadable tools, like birth plans or checklists A membership site can create a loyal group of subscribers who appreciate your expertise and are willing to pay for continuous access to exclusive content. Platforms like Patreon, Substack, or your own website can be excellent starting points for setting up a subscription service. 4. Affiliate Marketing for Birth and Parenting Products Affiliate marketing allows you to earn money by promoting products that align with your values and expertise. As a midwife, you can partner with brands that sell pregnancy, birth, and postpartum products such as: Maternity clothing Baby gear (e.g., carriers, strollers, and bassinets) Natural health products Books or educational materials When you promote these products on your website, social media, or blog, you earn a commission for each sale made through your referral link. Over time, this can become a passive income stream that requires minimal ongoing effort once you’ve built your audience and content. 5. Sell Digital Resources and Templates Many expectant parents and birth professionals are looking for practical tools to help them navigate pregnancy, birth, and parenting. As a midwife, you can create digital resources such as: Birth plan templates Postpartum checklists Breastfeeding logs Newborn care guides You can sell these digital products on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or your website. Once created, digital resources can be sold repeatedly without much additional effort, making them a great passive income option. 6. Rent Out Birth Equipment If you own any high-quality birth or postpartum equipment, consider renting it out to expectant families who may not be able to afford the full cost of purchasing it themselves. Examples of birth equipment to rent include: Birthing tubs Fetal Dopplers Breast pumps Postpartum recovery items (e.g., perineal bottles or nursing pillows) By offering rentals, you can generate income from equipment you already own without much ongoing effort. 7. Create a YouTube Channel or Podcast With your expertise in midwifery, you can create valuable content for families or other birth professionals on YouTube or through a podcast. You can share: Birth stories and tips Advice for expecting parents Guidance for new midwives or doulas Discussions on maternal and child health topics Once you build a following, these platforms can be monetized through ads, sponsorships, and listener donations. Both YouTube and podcasts offer excellent potential for long-term passive income as content continues to be discovered and consumed over time. 8. Real Estate Investment Investing in real estate can be a powerful way to generate passive income. Whether it’s purchasing rental properties, vacation homes, or commercial spaces that cater to the needs of families (e.g., a wellness center or maternity store), real estate can provide a steady stream of income through rent payments. The initial investment and effort to manage properties may take time, but once it’s set up, it can provide long-term financial security. 9. Develop a Virtual Doula or Birth Support Service You can offer virtual birth support through pre-recorded content or online consultations. Expectant parents who may not have access to in-person doulas can benefit from virtual services. You could create packages that include: Virtual prenatal consultations Birth planning assistance Postpartum check-ins Access to educational webinars This can be marketed as a one-time purchase or a subscription service, creating ongoing revenue with minimal effort once the content is created. 10. Sell Midwifery-Branded Merchandise If you have a unique brand or message, selling midwifery-themed merchandise could be a fun and easy way to earn passive income. Items could include: T-shirts with empowering midwifery quotes Mugs or tote bags featuring birth-related designs Baby onesies with midwifery slogans You can use print-on-demand services like Printful or Teespring to create and sell these items without worrying about inventory, packaging, or shipping. As a midwife, your expertise and passion for supporting families and children can open many doors to creative passive income streams. By leveraging your knowledge in the midwifery field, you can build sustainable income sources that will continue to generate revenue long after your initial effort. Whether through online courses, renting out equipment, or creating digital products, these unique opportunities allow you to expand your financial horizons
Water Birth: Unique Midwife Business Marketing Tool
So many women see a You Tube Video for water births and WANT IT. The peace, the calmness are mythical birth experiences with water. Anything that makes birth more blissful is in demand! Women start to call their local hospitals and doctors to ask about having a water birth and most in the United States typical care options will say not allowed. Women start to Google search in area water birth and find out that out of hospital births, typical home births are their answers. Water birth is a huge marketing tool to stress benefits for mother and baby of this unique experience mostly offered with midwives. Water births are a midwives mojo as far as stressing power of water and natural childbirth options. Water is a HUGE pain management option to discuss. I had two water home births and can really vouch for the power of water during labor. Natural childbirth is available in the hospital and some places even have tubs to labor in. Few hospitals and mainstream birth options offer deep soaking tubs and birthing in the water. Take advantage of this for marketing. Place articles, You Tube Videos, and testimonials from clients about their water birth experience. Birth Centers have a classic, massive tub with a beautiful tile background for women in their birthing rooms that are the focal point of websites, marketing pictures, and branding. When running a business, think about the unique services you have that your competition doesn’t have. Hospitals and main stream birth options rarely offer water births. This is a strong marketing tactic to use with public awareness of your practice (whether home or birth center practice). Use the power of water! We created the course, Tips for Running a Successful Midwifery Practice, to teach you all you need to know about being a midwife.
Want to be a Millionaire Midwife?
Want to be a Millionaire Midwife We all don’t become midwives for the money, but would like to live comfortably, give our families a nice vacation once in a while, and take anyone for a birth whether they can pay for our services or not. All of those above examples need nice a steady income to make things happen. We could nickel and dime every dollar you get and not truly live life, but that is not what I am all about. I want you to be a happy, prosperous midwife. Care for women and enjoy living life on your off days. Financial freedom makes that possible. There will be a point in your life when you would like to retire, have a nice cash flow whether you are are work or not coming in, or a security blanket if you can’t work tomorrow due to health reasons. Create a business model where the income coming in doesn’t just cover the bills, but provides yourself and staff a nice salary for all the hard work being done. Time is Valuable It always drives me nuts when I see what an Obstetrician gets paid and all other Nurse Practitioners. I understand a doctor does want more like surgery, but for birth itself, doctors usually get paid more for that same service within our scope. Out of all Nurse Practitioner scopes, Nurse Midwives are paid the lowest. Typically Certified Professional Midwives are paid lower than Nurse Midwives. For how important our services are and the training it takes to be part of a birth in home, hospital, or birth center, why is our salary and benefits so much lower than it should be? When running your own private practice and giving Cadillac of care, women should expect to pay for it. Consumers expect to pay more at a high end clothing store like Macy’s versus Walmart. Midwifery care is the high end, personalized care. We don’t take 25-30 births a month. We care for 5-7 ladies each month. Create Other Income Streams Other than Midwifery. Health care is so volatile. If your practice is mostly health insurance reimbursement and coverage for home births changes abruptly, your business may not be able to give you an income for a while during this adjustment period of incoming funds from payer and patients. Create other business or emergency accounts to cover those time. I really like rental homes. I buy houses that pay for themselves (financing, property manager, maintenance, taxes, and insurance) while leaving me a steady cash flow from renters. It isn’t a get rich scheme and takes time to build a steady enough portfolio to create financial freedom. I encourage you to look into financial education and real estate courses before starting any business or real estate venture. It is like a heart surgeon not doing years of schooling and deciding to “practice on someone.” That is considered negligence and I feel the same way about anyone starting a business or financial plan without the proper training. Financial Freedom Our educational system or midwifery school doesn’t teach financial knowledge. Spend time reading books, watching videos, listening to Audiobooks about money and business ownership. I personally believe it is the most important educational anyone can get. Having cash flow from other revenue streams like a business or side job will increase the financial buying power and debt pay off acceleration. Creating a business plan where your midwifery practice makes money whether you are at work that day or not really gives you the freedom to be at your clinic, because you want to be there versus you have to be there to pay the bills. It is a very different mindset creating a business where income is coming to you from passive cash flow of employees versus your own self employment skills and time. There is nothing wrong with it, but pointing out that is how the rich get richer. Self employment business have a cap of income, because there are only so many hours in a day and a midwife is exchanging her time for that pay. If you want to be a millionaire midwife, create a financial strategy plan of where you want to be in 20 years, 10 years, 5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 6 months, and tomorrow. It will have a progression plan to follow for the end result you are seeking. Everyone is different with that ultimate goal. Anything is truly possible with a plan, knowledge, and ambition! Our course, Financial Planning Tips for Birth Professionals, was developed to teach you all you need to know to keep your practice thriving.
W-2 vs Self Employed: What are the Pros and Cons?
W-2 vs Self Employed As a midwife, we can choose to work for a doctor, hospital, government program, or another midwife. Many midwives that aren’t CNMs, they have to be self employed to practice midwifery. Most home birth practices are created by CPMs, Direct Entry Midwives, and Lay Midwives. CNMs typically deliver in the hospital and work for someone else. If you knew the true risks and benefits of working on your own, would business running be more tempting venture? Starting your own practice isn’t for everyone. Some people need the paycheck security blanket in life. Some people are the opposite, some people need to be their own bosses and do things “their way.” My goal with this article is to help determine if business ownership and starting your own midwifery empire is the right fit. Business ownership is hard. I think working for someone else is harder. In the beginning, many business owners put in LONG hours to see their baby succeed and prosper. With the proper prep and education about business plans and finances, they don’t have to start out that way. Create a business structure that has a strong administration team from beginning to do the work. Find investors to partner or loan money for your dream midwifery clinic. Don’t be the expert and staff member doing everything the first year. Hire the resources and expertise to build your dream practice. Cons are not Having a Consistent Paycheck to Rely on. Business owners need to have an emergency account for the ebs and flow of business ownership. Sometimes funds are delayed or unexpected costs arise. With working for a hospital, whether the women pays for her services, your pay check is direct deposited into your checking account. There is no one telling you to get for work in morning. You need to be self motivated. There are no yearly evaluations, tardy sleeps, satisfactory reports to meet. If customers aren’t happy with your services or business, you won’t get paid. If you decide to take a week off and not work on your business, your finances will see a direct impact from that decision. Midwives are Very Good at Caring for Women and their Families. We are weak at money, business ownership, and accounting. There are no classes required for midwifery school about these topics. We want to serve everyone and will short ourselves financially to make this women’s birth happen with our team. When I hear midwives talk about job security with working for someone else like a hospital, I always laugh in my head. Working for a system is the least secure way to make money. Budgets and administration goals for organization can change quickly and I have seen midwives many times be the first ones to be “let go.” When you run your own business, you are accountable for you. I will always invest and secure my own financial freedom. My security is in me and no one else. Job security, save for retirement, and hope the system will support me is a middle class myth of financial freedom. I made a decision to think like the rich when my world was turned upside down financially. I taught myself about business, finances, wealth, and financial freedom. I created many different passive income streams so I could choose to be at home or run a midwifery practice. I want to be a midwife, because it makes me happy (not because I have bills to pay). Anyone can do it, it takes training just like becoming a midwife. Personal freedom of choice. You can decide when to work, what patients to see, what your practice will look like, what policies are outdated and can be changed instantly versus years of hospital board meetings to see change happen. I really cherish knowing I can pick who I see, what days I will leave office early to pick up my kids from school, or how much time I spend with a patient. There isn’t a Office Manager breathing down my neck saying I am not meeting my “quota” for the day. Tax Savings are Huge for Business Owners. There are few tax deductions for W-2 employees. There are hundreds of things you can write off with your business tax free that you are currently paying for with your paycheck money. Home office space, cell phone, computer, driving in car, food, or so much more. The overall wealthiest people in the United States have two key concepts in common: business ownership and real estate investing. Accountability can be positive or negative depending on how you look at it. When a person works for a big health system, complaints are filtered through a department and rarely is one person the challenge. If you are a business owner, responsible for care and services being rendered ultimately lands on your shoulders. Even if you hire staff, their actions reflect on you. If a customer is unhappy, business owner is responsible vs employee keeps seeing the next patient while administration handles the unsatisfied patients. I love watching “Island Hunters.” When the island investors talk about their professional backgrounds, pretty much all of them are real estate investors or business owner. You don’t see people that work for someone else buying these islands. Midwives can have an infinite wealth creation with business ownership. If you choose to work for someone else, you are trading your time for money. There are only so many hours in the day to work, so your income potential plateaus. Owning a midwife business allows you to create a potential limitless income stream passively or from your own invested time.
Visualization is just as Important for Birth as Midwife Business
Visualization Have you ever wondered why some businesses are successful while other run out of money, steam, and resources? As midwives, we teach women to use visualization techniques for birth to help bring their babies into the world. How many midwives have actually used the power of visualization to make your midwifery practice successful? Spend lots of time making a business plan, imagining what your practice will look like. Sit in the future space of your office or birth center and deeply meditate what the space will be like: smells present in birth rooms (lavender maybe?), noises you will hear (children giggling in hallways or mothers crying with joy after their baby comes out?), or how your hands will be on a mother’s tummy at your exam table. Do you picture your practice quiet and slow or phones ringing off the hook from people wanting your services? These things are really important when creating a positive energy for mission and training of staff involved in the midwifery business model. If you are so confident that practice will be successful, that energy will spread to everyone that your midwife business brand comes in contact with. Use your marketing skills, personalized care, and power of visualization to fill your birth schedule. There is a book called, “Miracle Morning,” that is really helpful in making every precious day more productive. Part of the daily routine includes meditation. Use this mental secret weapon to visualize your short and long term vision of your specific midwife business. Don’t under estimate the power of your mind and determination to create whatever you dream about. Visualization helps put your goals into reality. Remember women are encouraged to use this technique for coping with labor. Midwives can use visualization to create the perfect, successful midwifery practice.
Vicarious Liability: Having Midwife Business and Doctor Separate
Vicarious Liability Vicarious liability is a common term used when a physician is approached to have a written or verbal collaboration with a midwife. Do you really understand what it means and when it applies? Vicarious liability is attachment of responsibility to a person for harm or damages caused by another person in either a negligence lawsuit or criminal prosecution. If there is any relationship present with a midwife, many doctors think they are indirectly at risk of their care. Especially when a written agreement is in place, many doctors fear any association with a midwife. This is a great opportunity for education to medical community of what risks is TRULY present. If a memorandum of understanding or collaborative agreement is in place between a doctor or midwife, it doesn’t create increased risk for doctor involved. If consultation with doctor occurs and recommendations are followed, then liability risk if present for midwife and doctor. Whether a piece of paperwork is present is irrelevant at this point. It is similar to if a Family Practice Doctor refers to a Specialist in area and lawsuit occurs. All providers involved in the care of the patient are at risk of lawsuit. If a written collaboration is present (whether required by state regulation, health insurance credentialing requirement, or professional request to help communicate better with medical community), doesn’t mean both are liability for care if doctor was never involved in midwife’s patients care. An example of this was birth center in Michigan about ten years ago was involved in a lawsuit for poor outcome. The written collaborating physician was never consulted about patient. The lawyers attempted to link her into the lawsuit since there was a written collaboration in place. No vicarious liability was allowed and physician never was pulled into the lawsuit. The midwives involved in the patients care were only sued. Vicarious liability is completely different if doctor hires a midwife. Even if the doctor owner of the practice isn’t involved in the care of the midwife’s patient, the doctor is liability due to employer/employee relationship. If two separate business entities sign a collaborative arrangement, they are both responsible for their own care. If consultation and co-mingling of care occurs on a patient, then a potential of both being named in a lawsuit is present. It had nothing to do with written or non-written collaboration arrangement. Advocate for your practice and help demystify fears about what vicarious liability is and really looks like. Show confidence in your knowledge and stress the physician consult his/her legal team before creating any relationship. I tend to refer physicians to my legal consults, since many lawyers give advice on conservative thinking versus true law suit cases that have happened in the past. Once I simply explain with confidence what protection a physician has from my care, there is usually little future concerns from the provider. I like to give potential referrals and new relationships past physician relationship recommendations to talk with. It really helps when trust can be created from my past professionalism. It is like a resume needed to get a job. It is an opportunity for your past professional relationships to really shine how amazing you are!
Value of Relationship: Have your Midwife Business Grow Quickly
Relationships are very powerful in your personal and professional life. It isn’t how much you know, but who you know. Henry Ford created an empire from his pool of resources versus his personal knowledge. Connections get you the best deals, first awareness before mass public of a sale, and first referral to your practice if personal relationships are present. Spend the personal time investing in people. Network and learn about other people’s businesses, needs, and personal goals. If you can create value for another person, they will bring you value ten folds to your ventures. Best real estate deals are put on public market, they are sold within a network of established investors. Best jobs aren’t posted on Indeed, but given to the “friend of a friend” connection. Wholesale bargains for products aren’t given to online customers, it is given to colleagues. Rich get richer, because their kids get inside scoop on trade options, business venture proposals, and access to an elite relationship resource their parents have established. With midwifery and business ventures, learn your hospital administration staff in community, doctors that may collaborate or refer, attend local support groups, take the initiative to meet as many people as possible around midwifery world. Call local and national advocates of midwives and keep in touch with them. Meet with your government representatives and have them know your expertise and passion. Don’t just make connections when you want something. Create value ahead of time for members of the community and it will come back to you as so many levels. I got many locum positions and jobs because of past connections. Having a good reputation with Obstetricians that never had a midwife practice before helps get internal advocates for your knowledge and skill set to get hospital privileges for transfers of your home birth practice. Locum contracts typically go to the network connection made in past versus a person online posting a resume. Referrals from past patients or networking done increases your patient volume more quickly. When a person can put a personal connection with your logo and brand name, more talk about your services occurs. Interested in creating a large birth center franchise, having personal connections with someone that knows how to market, create a pristine business plan, have friends with money to invest in your venture, and followers that want to work for your vision practice will accelerate your wealth and success. Money isn’t an option when you have enough relationships that believe in your cause. When there is money to be made, funds to create your business (no matter if is $100,000 or $10 million start up) are easily accessible. Legislature changes supporting midwifery occur when people meet with Senators, deliver babies of Presidents, or past clients write letters to Congress about their personal experience with midwifery care. Your followers are loyal and will advocate for you during many side talks that need your mission’s voice present. I have seen amazing connections open doors that midwives didn’t even know were an option. I encourage midwives to join local maternity improvement committees like Michigan Midwives Association, Perinatal & Infant Mortality Committees, United States Breastfeeding Committee, local Chamber of Commerce, or Committee of Midwife Advocates. Having a group of people with a common cause learning about each other is essential to strengthen the end goal results of occurring. When your family learns about your dreams and passion, word is spread to help create that. I have had discounts on services at the birth center from past patients, products donated to practice from midwifery advocates, and business loans created from knowing the right people. I regularly meet with my local bank President just in case I will need another business loan, real estate investment loan, or fall on hard times for a bit and need some inside relationship to waive fees and penalties present. I meet with doctors in my area even if I don’t need their direct collaboration. Knowing what there specialty is increases my referral basis to help care for patients. It is a two fold relationship. I so many referrals from people I have paid for lunch and talked with. Knowing Director of Women’s Health care at local hospital helped get meetings with top administration I would never been able to create without that connection. Meeting with my local malpractice representative every 6 months with no claims in site helps me be proactive in negotiating best deals and hearing about available legal defense available in area that is the best of the best. I want a Master Mind Team of resources available and it takes time to create that. Have a positive image with professional services to your business before their services are needed. Anything is possible if you know the right people.