Your Birth Business Part 2: The Dreaded Budget

Not your favorite topic? Many people share your feelings!

So take out one piece of paper and write down all of the things you will need to start or maintain your business. If you are a doula, all of the tools of the trade, any books that you want to either have for YOU on hand or in your lending library, videos....if you are a childbirth educator, add to the doula list charts, models and perhaps a nursing text or two. For any birth professional, add the cost of continuing education workshops that you need to maintain your certification(s) or licenses.

Then comes the marketing items ~ business cards, postcards, brochures, websites - oh for websites you need a computer. If you have a computer you'll need a printer, with ink and paper. Perhaps envelopes.... But if you call people, you'll need a phone. If you travel, your car will need gas....

Do you see how the list grows?

If you are just beginning, you will need to add all of these things up (estimated costs) and this becomes how much you will need for start up capitol. It may be somewhere in the $500 - $1000 range depending on your professional needs. That sounds like a lot but to begin a small business that is relatively low.

Now, go back to your list and prioritize your items by using different colors of highlighter marker. Select a color for each of the following: items I need now, items I will need in 2 months, items I can wait for 4 months, items that can wait until I have been in business for 6 months. This will incrementally reduce your initial investment and make you feel better!

With the holidays nearly here, don't forget to list some professional items on gift wish lists!

For more tips on creating your business budget, read Creating And Marketing Your Birth Related Business.