Motherhood. There is no more challenging or rewarding job in the world than being a mother. I’ve been a witness and an educator to over 700 women while entering this significant life chapter. I’ve seen and know that it’s difficult, emotional, overwhelming, exhausting, amazing, incredible, FULL of love, and the best job ever. (Most of the time!) And I love and am fascinated by every part of it. You’re probably wondering how I started helping women, mothers, and babies. Here’s my story on how I became “The Baby Chick.”
Finding My True Passion
After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, like most new graduates, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I did know I needed a job . . . and fast! I got my first “big girl” job in Houston, Texas, working in corporate America. After a few months of working at this job, it was clear that I wasn’t feeling fulfilled in my career path. At the ripe age of 22, I’m supposed to know what I want to do with my life, right? Wrong!
I needed some direction, so instead of just talking to my parents, I spoke with a life coach. She recommended I read “The Passion Test” by Janet Bray Atwood and Chris Atwood. I know, I know . . . super corny. I thought the same thing when she recommended it. But at that point, I felt frustrated, unsatisfied, and lost. I decided to read the book because how could it hurt? I am so glad I did because it helped guide me to where I am today.
This book kept showing me that my biggest passion of all is helping others. This wasn’t a big shocker since I’ve always enjoyed helping and caring for people. I just wasn’t sure HOW exactly I wanted to serve others.
As I read, I kept thinking about my then-colleague, who was pregnant with her first baby. I always loved hearing about everything she was planning, how she was decorating the nursery, what she was registering for, how she was getting ready for her shower, etc. I was fascinated by it ALL and thought I should look into working with pregnant women. Then it clicked! And it made sense. I love babies and helping people — particularly women — so this sounded right for me.
Starting on a New Path
A month later, after thinking and praying about it, I took a gutsy move and quit my job to start working at a boutique catering to mothers. I wanted to see if this was the path I should go on.
While working there, I noticed the customers who were first-time mothers mostly had NO idea what they needed/wanted or what they were doing. I thought, “There needs to be a place or a number women can call to chat with someone about the options available to them. That way, they can learn what products are necessary and unnecessary, what will work best for their lifestyle and budget, etc.” I decided to educate myself on everything mom and baby to help these women during this exciting yet overwhelming time. This is when my journey really began toward helping mothers and families.
I started working toward my baby planning certification so that I could properly assist an expectant family in planning for the arrival of their baby. Once I became a certified baby planner, I started my first company, Bassett Baby Planning (BBP). I helped several families create their baby registries, plan their baby showers, style and organize and stock their nurseries, etc. Unfortunately, not many people knew (and still don’t know) about baby planning, so I knew I needed to do something else to get more business.
Becoming a Doula
While working toward my baby planning certification, I heard about doula care and was very interested in learning more about it. I contacted a local doula to see if I could shadow her and learn what it was all about. When I went to my first birth with her and watched all the things she did for her client, it changed my life. I thought the whole thing was amazing! Seeing how this woman went through each contraction with the support of her husband and doula. Watching how she pushed and gave birth to her beautiful and healthy baby girl. It brought me to tears, and I will never forget it. I knew at that moment this was something I had to do — I had to be a doula.
From that day forward, I started working toward my birth doula and postpartum doula certifications through DONA International and did an internship. This way, I could have hands-on experience and learn how to best support families at their births and beyond. It took me about two years to complete all my requirements and receive my certifications from DONA, but it was well worth it. Now, I have assisted at over 300 births and helped over 700 families!
Continuing My Education
With each family I worked with, I wanted to know everything I could to best support them and their needs. I continued my education, got my license in massage therapy, and became certified in prenatal massage, labor massage, labor induction massage, postnatal massage, and infant massage. After that, I got my certification as an Infant Massage Instructor, a Prenatal Fitness Educator, a Hypnobabies Certified Hypno-Doula, and many more.
Being able to teach families new things and explain all the available options during each stage of motherhood was and still is extremely important to me. I don’t claim to know it all. But I do continue my education to help families the best I can.
Becoming “The Baby Chick”
Using my years of experience and ever-growing knowledge in this area, I co-founded Baby Chick with my husband, Brian. Becoming “The Baby Chick” has allowed me to support women during and after pregnancy and into motherhood. It is my joy to educate, inspire, and uplift mothers everywhere by providing helpful resources to them.
Everyone always says that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. And I feel so fortunate to say I LOVE what I do. I listened to my passions, put my all in every step of the way, and know I am doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. I couldn’t imagine supporting a more deserving group of people — mothers. You give so much to your family. I want to give back and focus on the heart of the home: YOU!
