We recently had the chance to connect with Kathleen Robbins and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kathleen, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have realized recently that I’ve entered a phase of life where I’m able to reconnect with several hobbies that had fallen away due to work and family responsibilities over the years. These include travel, reading, and watching sports.
Recently, my family was able to take a trip to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Since having kids, we have primarily stuck to road trips, feeling intimidated by flying with young children and all the stuff that is needed to meet their needs. As they’ve grown, we’ve decided to re-prioritize bigger trips and explore some destinations that have been high on our wish list. Sharing this experience with my family brought me great joy and motivated me to continue to explore the world with my kids.
I’ve been a huge sports fan since I was a child, enjoying everything from basketball to football to Olympic sports to events like the Kentucky Derby. I grew up hearing Cardinals baseball on the radio every night. In adulthood, I became an avid participant in fantasy football, meticulously drafting my dream team and updating my roster each weekend. As years passed and I felt more demands at work and at home, the time I could invest in watching sports dropped away dramatically. In the last few years, I’ve been mindful about bringing this happiness back to my life by carving out time to watch games on TV, listen to baseball games, and attend sporting events when possible. While I’m the least competitive person in the world, I do enjoy cheering for my favorite teams and players, and win or lose, I’ve loved re-establishing those connections as a fan.
Finally, I’d had a similar path of moving away from my favorite hobby of reading, but now I’ve come back in a big way. I constantly have a couple of books in progress, and I love talking about books and sharing recommendations with others. Also, my family has a Little Free Library in our yard, and maintaining our library has become my very favorite hobby. We’ve made new connections with neighbors who share a love of reading, and we always enjoy seeing people smile and stop to browse as they notice the library as they walk by our house.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kathleen Robbins and I am a postpartum doula and Certified Lactation Counselor based in the Saint Louis area. I started my business, Robbins Doula Services, in 2017 and have served more than 80 families. In my role as a postpartum doula, I provide informational, practical, and emotional support to new and new-again parents. I work in-person with families in the Saint Louis area, and offer virtual and texting support to families in any location, even internationally.
I work with a diverse set of families. Many are welcoming their first baby while others are experienced parents. The majority of my clients are high-achieving professionals who will be preparing to return to work at the end of their maternity/paternity leave. I have a special interest in working with families whose path to parenthood may have been complex: those who experienced infertility; parents who are meeting their baby through adoption or surrogacy; LGBTQ+ families; and those who have experienced previous losses. I also feel extremely honored to work with new parents who have lost their own parents or live far away from their families.
One of my favorite things about my job is that my work with each family is unique. Every family is experiencing their own joys and challenges, and are eager for support in different ways. This variety keeps each week exciting, and I am always learning and growing as a doula thanks to the experiences I gain with each family.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I learned a great deal about work from my parents. My dad owned a business for many years, specializing in group travel. He was my model for every aspect of being a small business owner. He taught me the value of hard work, the importance of strong customer service, and resilience in managing the ups and downs of life as a business owner.
My mom spent her career as a kindergarten teacher, mostly in a small public school in rural Indiana. She worked tirelessly to build a strong educational foundation for her students, making sure that no student slipped through the cracks. She instilled in me the belief that every person is equally important, valued, and worthy of care and respect, and this shapes my work with my clients today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, quite frequently! Being a small business owner is very fulfilling, but also so hard, unpredictable, and, at times, scary. I am my whole business, so every task lands on my shoulders, even those that fall outside of my comfort zone. Small business ownership often feels like living life without a safety net, with no benefits, sick leave, time off, etc. When doubt creeps in, it can be hard to stay the course.
But I keep showing up, day after day, because I’ve never been so satisfied in my work. Having the autonomy to shape my business as I wish brings me tremendous satisfaction. Not a day passes without feeling lucky and fortunate to be able to have, truly, the job of my dreams, and that vastly outweighs the concerns that may keep me up at night.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say that the most important thing to me is being a kind presence in the world. Being a postpartum doula aligns perfectly with this value because my whole job is to nurture new parents. I remember being a new mom, and how a text from a friend, a supportive comment from a stranger, or connecting with a fellow parent over a shared struggle meant the world to me. Now I get to be the one offering the support, warmth, and encouragement as other new parents are finding their way through the transition of welcoming a new baby.
My friends know that I care deeply about creating connections so people feel safe, seen, and never alone, especially during vulnerable times. I believe that small, intentional acts of kindness can ripple outward and make a profound difference.
In my work as a postpartum doula, this shows up in the way I listen without judgment, honor and validate emotions, and offer tailored support that’s grounded in empathy. To me, it’s not just about soothing a baby or folding a load of laundry (although I’m always happy to do those things!). It’s about showing up with presence and heart, and helping my clients feel more confident and supported as they step into their role as a parent.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m absolutely doing what I was born to do, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do this work. Being a doula is a second career for me. I used to do something very different, working in the field of higher education administration. While that career was meaningful and full of growth, over time I realized it aligned more with what I thought I should be doing, rather than what truly lit me up inside.
After realizing I was ready for a major life shift, I decided to follow my passion and explore becoming a postpartum doula. I’ve never looked back, and I’ve enjoyed finding ways to continue learning and growing my business. There is so much work to be done in the area of supporting new parents, and so many gaps to fill.
As a postpartum doula, I am able to make a difference on an individual level by making connections that often continue long past the time I finish working with a family. Each new parent teaches me something unique and special, and I value each and every relationship I form with a family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.robbinsdoula.com/
- Instagram: robbinsdoula
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-robbins-a79b7646/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbinsdoula
Image Credits
Boudoir by Bri
Alexandria Mooney Photography
Fresh Art Photography
