Community Highlights: Meet Passion Smith of Passionate Beginnings

Today we’d like to introduce you to Passion Smith.

Hi Passion, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Growing up as a child, I have always been fascinated with birth. I remember watching birth shows on TV and Youtube and just being in awe. My mother never made me turn it off. When I went off to college, I wanted to pursue being a Labor and Delivery Nurse but for some reason, it just did not sit with me so I decided to stick with social work.

When I got to my senior year, I had to complete an internship. My internship was at the YWCA in Greensboro, NC. I had an AMAZING supervisor named Brandi Collins-Calhoun who was a part of many reproductive justice associations. She also served on many committees and advocacy boards locally, statewide, and nationally. She began to teach me about alternative birth options such as home births and birthing in a birthing center.

She also talked to me about doulas, breastfeeding, natural births, health disparities, midwives, etc. It was through her guidance and education that I found my calling and decided I wanted to dive into the more holistic side of birth work. I became a doula through this organization almost 5 years ago and I have been in birthmark ever since! My long-term goal is to become a midwife and attend home births.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely NOT! After college, I decided to move back home. I live in a very small town that also has a high poverty rate. The majority of the people I came across did not know what a doula was or what doulas did! It was hard trying to bring something new into my community.

I had a hard time collaborating with other organizations in my community as well. I did not have anyone in my hometown to mentor me or show me the do’s and dont’s so I pretty much had to learn everything about conducting my doula business on my own. That came with PLENTY of trial and error. It also came with plenty of disappointment.

It is also been a challenge securing funding to be able to cover the costs of services for families who cannot afford them. Insurance does not currently cover the cost of a doula in North Carolina and some families truly cannot afford to pay out of pocket.

It also has been hard trying to pursue midwifery because in North Carolina the only way to become a midwife is through nursing school. In majority of the states in the U.S Certified Professional Midwives (CPM’s) are legal to practice and are not required to go through nursing school since majority of them usually only tend to out of hospital births. North Carolina has been working with legislators for years trying to get cpm’s legalized. Hopefully, this will happen soon or I guess I will be going to nursing school.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Passionate Beginnings, LLC serves families who are having children or desire to have children. Through my organization, I currently offer birth doula services, postpartum services, childbirth education, placenta encapsulation and treats, breastmilk jewelry, lactation support, maternity pictures, belly casting, doula mentorship, early gender testing, fertility guidance, and more.

I have watched my business grow from day one until where I am not almost 5 years later. I currently am a Certified Doula- DONA, Lamaze Childbirth Educator, and a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist, I currently am going to school to get my certification for IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) so that I can begin offering outpatient services to families in need of breastfeeding assistance. A doula provides emotional and physical support to birthing parents and their support systems. A doula can also provide services after the baby is born such as cooking, light cleaning, sibling care, overnight care in the home, etc.

I have different package options to fit the financial needs of each family. Flexible payment options are also available. I also own a non-profit, Passionate Beginnings Resource Center where I offer doula services and lactation support at no cost to families with accessibility barriers. I also receive donations for items to donate to families for the parents or the children at no cost. Through my organizations, I aim to help lower infant mortality and maternal mortality rates, increase breastfeeding rates, and increase over-birth satisfaction for the birthing parent. I am most proud of my brand because people actually are being educated and making educated choices when it comes to their birth experiences.

I have supported moms through vaginal births (medicated and unmedicated), c-sections (planned and unplanned), as well as home births. I have also supported moms who breastfeed (short-term and extended), formula-fed, or did a little of both! Anybody can benefit from my services no matter what their choices are! I truly enjoy building one on one relationships with each family. All my clients become my family! A doula can be secured at any point in pregnancy no matter how early or far along you are.

If you think this is something you can benefit from feel free to reach out and we can talk more about your options!

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always very smart, inquisitive, hands-on, and business-minded.

I always made good grades in school. I have always been a person who loves to read and loves to research everything. I have always known I wanted to work for myself and have my own business. I always was an encourager to others and have always been a person that pushed education.

My mother always told me “your education is something no one can ever take away from you” and that always stuck with me. I have always had a bright personality and have always been told I am fun to be around.

In my days of grade school, I received many academic awards. During my undergraduate experience, I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies. I then went on to earn my Master’s in Social Work. Currently, I am working on my Doctorate in School Work.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.passionatebeginnings.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/passionatebeginnings
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/passionatebeginningsnc

Image Credits
Duprez Motif of Duprez Motif And Creations