Lactation Business Coaching With Annie And Leah

We're stepping outside the lactation world to talk with Amber McCue, owner of Three Boudoir, an in-person photography business that recently went virtual.Amber is the founder of Amber McCue.com where she consults with small business owners on their growth. She is also the co-founder of threeboudoir.com and thevirtualphotoshoot.com. Amber has a talent for overcoming obstacles and helping others do the same.We talked with Amber about her thought process in creating and marketing these new offers and got insights that we could easily translate into our private practice service offerings.“ There are great things about virtual. It's quick, it's easy, you hop on the phone, there's not a lot of prep time. You can be a little bit more casual or you can be ...there's a lot of flexibility with it.” In this episode, we will cover: The beauty of having a business partner The importance of giving yourself time to pause and rest Benefits of taking your business virtual Being creative when taking your business online  You c

We feel like we're updating our websites every other day as we add new services in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since so many of you may be doing the same, we thought we'd rebroadcast our episode all about website creation.As a private practice IBCLC your website is usually the first contact your prospective clients will have with you and your business. Making your website easy to navigate and quickly get the necessary information is essential for a new and tired parent. In this episode, Leah and Annie share their resources for online scheduling, HIPAA compliance, website design, and more.“Website - it’s the new business card” In this episode, we will cover: How to make an impression - Your website is the first source of contact with your clients. The importance of mobile compatibility - New moms are tired! Help them by making your website navigable during 3AM feedings. What do I include on my website? Annie and Leah share tips on what you should and shouldn’t include on your website. The Final Step

We're all taking a second look at our charting and documentation strategies as we pivot to virtual to meet the needs of families at a time when home and office visits have to be limited. Documenting what happens at a lactation consult is super important for so many reasons, but figuring out just want to say and how to say it can be challenging. In this episode, Annie and Leah will explain their approaches to charting and offer you tips and strategies for making this critical task less overwhelming. Whether you’re paperless or love your clipboard and folders, this episode will help you streamline your charting workflow and feel confident in your documentation.“It didn’t happen unless you write it down”In this episode, we will cover: What is lactation charting? Get a clear, concise idea of what charting should be Why do we have to chart our lactation consults? There are important medical and legal reasons for charting What are the biggest challenges and time sucks when it comes to charting? Charting can get i

Today's episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah is called "Policies and Procedures for Lactation Private Practice". They talk about its importance, from training new hires to ensuring your own well-being to render the best service possible.Annie and Leah also talk about the most efficient tools they use to share procedures and organize: Loom videos and Annie's Workbook. If you are feeling stress or anxiety about your private practice, this might be the best time to review which of your policies actually work for you."Really try to find processes and procedures and policies that bring peace of mind. I know this kind of brings me back to a lot of people have very firm boundaries around follow up care or around how you're going to do your intakes." In this episode, we will cover: Policies and procedures explained Creating policies and procedures: Using Loom, Spruce & Annie's Workbook Annie’s Tech Tips: Use headings to create a table of contents Leah’s Marketing Tips: Be mindful of your pol

Today's episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah is called "Working with Referral Sources." Having referrals works both ways: it is a priority to service your clients when you are not available and it is also important to cultivate a relationship with others to become a trusted referral for their own business.Annie and Leah share their own personal strategies to gain referral sources, as well as help colleagues to position themselves to become the go-to referral of their area. They also discuss the ethics of a referral relationship and how easy it is to become unethical because of the freebies that some people give you."When we go and meet with referral sources or we're putting ourselves out there, I know sometimes it's intimidating so we might just kind of tense up and not really be ourselves and kind of be very stiff and maybe just give the answers you that you think the other person might want to hear. And there really is a lot of drawbacks to that because one, I think people read that. Y

This episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah is called "Is an Office Right for Your Lactation Practice?" There are several options to move into an office setting as an IBCLC, from setting up in a physician's office to sharing an office space to building your own home office.Of course, there are pros and cons to each office setting. It would be wise to evaluate on a quarterly basis to see which option is best for you or if an office setting is even the best fit for your business."So I think there's a lot of possibilities. It would be something, if you were going to look into having your own office, maybe finding your own space to take over to really sit down and do an official business plan and sit down maybe with your accountant or hire an accountant if you don't have one or get a business coach to really run the numbers and see what are the possibilities here?"In this episode, we will cover: Office setting 1: Working in a physician office Office setting 2: Shared office setting Office sett

Today's episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah is called "Why IBCLCs Need Therapy." There are so many layers of challenges, from staying ahead at the clinical level to compassion fatigue to conflict with third parties, that self-care has become a primary concern.The good news is that there are many healthy coping mechanisms and strategies, such as leaning on a trusted support team to seeking therapy from mental health professionals. Getting the help we need improves our stress levels and, by default, makes us more effective in providing help to our clients too. "If you feel like you might want therapy, just get therapy. There's no harm in getting it. And even having the feeling that it might be helpful to you is probably a sign that it will be." In this episode, we will cover: The various layers of challenges of an IBCLC Coping strategies Getting therapy and recommending it to families too Annie’s Tech Tip: Use a camera not your phone to take photos Leah’s Marketing Tip: List down 5 people

In this episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah talk about all those moments when things do not go as planned and how to work around them. From minor issues like calling a baby by the wrong name to more major problems like wrecking your scale during a consult, Annie and Leah share some real life disasters that they had to deal with and, by the end of it, the solutions they came up with right at that moment. They also explore another important life lesson in all this which is learning to give a genuine apology when you find yourself at fault. "I just have to overcome that feeling that I have to be perfect and that's something that is an ongoing process. I mean, I do know that when I'm the one who makes the mistake that there's a lot of shame involved for me. I get embarrassed. I don't want to admit it. I want to pretend like it never happened. And recognizing when I take the step to just apologize if I'm in the wrong, and I say I'm sorry, and then usually that leads to someplace good."In thi

Today's episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah is all about life hacks. For IBCLC's, being able to do things faster and with less stress translates to a better job done.As an IBCLC, there are several key aspects where life hacks shine—from taking care of your body to managing your business logistics to nurturing your emotional and spiritual needs, there are ways to get around the overwhelm and make sure you tick off everything from that list."What's the next right move that I can do? What's right here in front of me? What can I accomplish at this minute, not the 5,000 things that are on the list that you're never going to get to. You know, just stay really, really present. That helps so much with overwhelm."In this episode, we will cover: Packing some lunch and staying hydrated Bathroom breaks and rest - how to incorporate this in your day Exercise Logistics: Replying, scheduling & driving around Emotional and spiritual needs Annie’s Tech Tip: Using G-Suite for managing and scheduling

Today's episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah features three interesting and practical questions that were asked by the podcast's listeners.From actionable tips to becoming an IBLC, to learning your audience for the best teaching strategies, to fixing processes when switching to a new EHR, this episode is dedicated to improving your experience as a current and future IBCLC."I am telling you, it is so hard to move from one (EHR) that you're already using to another one. That can be for many different reasons. Sometimes it's pricing, sometimes it's about features. And if you're happy with your platform, just stick with it because there is no perfect platform is the main thing that I've learned while doing this."In this episode, we will cover: Becoming an IBCLC: Finding a mentor & shadowing Teaching strategies Switching your EHR This podcast is sponsored by The Lactation Private Practice Toolkit. This toolkit provides resources, training, and tools for lactation consultants in private pr

As a lactation consultant, your role in goal-setting is to be a coach, cheering your clients on and pointing them in the direction of the path they want to take. While you have the advantage of experience that they don’t, it would be counterproductive for you to dictate how they should do things and what their goals should be. Be someone who your clients can rely on to provide objective guidance and problem-solving while empowering them to build the family relationship they want.“We are so dedicated to helping our families feel like they can trust and be honest with us and know that we are on their team.” In this episode, we will cover: Setting goals with your clients is a great opportunity for using your communication skills. Starting with how you present yourself online and extends to the intake process, actually meeting with the client, and following up. Even if you think you know the right answer or the right course of action, it is imperative for your client’s goals to be their idea based on your input a

People don’t know what they don’t know about breastfeeding. As a lactation consultant, you have the unique opportunity to educate families, other healthcare providers, and members of your community about the different feeding methods. By increasing awareness and understanding for breastfeeding, chestfeeding, formula feeding, and supplementation, you are making your job easier down the road when people feel more comfortable coming to you for help when they feel they need it.“You’re building a community that values infant feeding and values continuing education about lactation…creating a connection that is fulfilling for everyone.” In this episode, we will cover: IBCLCs are the gold standard for lactation care because of the high expectations and great responsibilities that they have to their clients and communities, and part of this is being competent in educating. You may find it helpful to offer classes such as Basics, Getting Started, Returning to Work, Starting Solids and Weaning, or other focused classes

When a family reaches out to you for a home visit to help them with breastfeeding/chestfeeding or other lactation-related concerns, it’s natural to want to take some precautions to protect your own safety in an unfamiliar situation with someone you’ve never met before. Our clients also need to feel safe with us because if they don’t trust us, we can’t help them. You are coming to them at a raw and vulnerable time and you want to come across as someone who is understanding and accepting of them without judgment. At the same time, you should communicate your expectations ahead of time about the visit and have a plan in place to alert someone if you ever feel unsafe.“I felt from the very beginning that it was important for me to set some expectations for both sides.” In this episode, we will cover: Your intake process is a great way to set expectations from the start Consider sharing your location with your spouse, partner, or other trusted friend so someone always knows where you are Have procedures in place fo

Your goal as a lactation consultant is to provide the best care you can to the families you serve, but far too often, insurance companies make this easier said than done.The Affordable Care Act did some good in stating that lactation services would be covered, but because of the vagueness of the phrasing, there is no clear consensus among insurance companies and providers about what this should look like in reality. Annie and Leah provide some tips for listeners who want some help navigating this topic in order to focus on serving their families better.“Everybody needs help.” In this episode, we will cover: The Affordable Care Act says that “lactation services are covered” but doesn’t specify who the providers should be, what the timing should be, or who should determine if the services are needed Insurance companies only want to cover the lactation consulting services at the hospital immediately after birth and at the pediatrician’s office, so they are quick to deny coverage for anything outside of those ins

By diversifying – opening up multiple channels of income within – your lactation consulting business, you are building yourself a sturdy foundation to prepare for lean market times while connecting with more families. This could include accepting both insurance and self-pay clients, writing a course or book, creating a resource or piece of merchandise for others to purchase, or developing continuing education. The sky’s the limit!“We can use our passions for more things.” In this episode, we will cover: Diversification in business essentially means opening up multiple channels of income Having multiple income streams can help sustain your business during lean times because you will not be relying on any one thing and you will be competitive in the market In the lactation consulting industry, one of the main forms of diversification is accepting insurance and self-pay clients Annie and Leah also advise people to set up opportunities for passive income such as creating a continuing education course, handouts, Y

Many lactation consultants are used to working solo, and it can be hard to surrender certain aspects of your private practice to others. But if you feel like you’re spending too much time on tasks that take you away from the clinical work you love, it may be time to bring on people who can share the workload.In this episode, Annie and Leah discuss when to recognize when you need help and where you can hire help in your business.“When you’re pushing and trying to do everything yourself, there will be long-term health consequences that will cost you money down the road.” In this episode, we will cover: Realizing that time is just as finite as money helps you see that when you have more time for the things you want to do you might actually make more money Writing down your weekly and monthly tasks outside of your IBCLC responsibilities and assess what tasks might be good to hire out These tasks are likely things that someone else is more passionate about or proficient in You can hire out work for your personal o

As a lactation consultant, you’re keeping track of so much. Client care, running a business, keeping up with social media, and staying current with your clinical training can become overwhelming, and sometimes important things slip through the cracks. Leah and Annie share the techniques they use to get organized and increase productivity to align their personal and business priorities to free up mental space and enjoy work and life.“I do think it’s important for us to think about the things that we do want to have balance in our lives in and put that into our productivity too.” In this episode, we will cover: Time blocking is a great way to focus on one task at a time while allowing yourself some mental rest within the structure. Bullet journaling is a freeform way to keep up with tasks and can take whatever form or function works best for you. Using productivity techniques helps you maintain a good work-life balance and prioritize the important over the urgent.  This episode is sponsored by the Breastfeeding

Lactation consultants are especially prone to burnout because our work is so intense. It can be hard to disconnect from your clients and from your business, but it’s essential to recognize the importance of taking regular breaks. In this episode of the Lactation Business Coaching Podcast, Leah and Annie offer practical steps to take when you’re prepping for your vacation.“Burnout affects the families that we’re caring for.” In this episode, we will cover: Burnout is real. It’s just not physically or emotionally possible to work without taking regular breaks. Our work is hard. We’re always thinking about our clients and it can be hard to turn that off. Our clients’ problems can drain our energy. When situations are complex, or when we’re faced with the same kinds of issues over and over again, it can wear us out. Scared that your business will die. Your private practice is not a shark, it doesn’t have to keep moving to live. How to set your practice up for a break. From organizing your tech to managing your co

Whether you’re in solo private practice or feeling ready to expand into a group practice, making local connections with other IBCLCs and lactation helpers is good for you and good for the families you serve.Why go it alone when community and collaboration can strengthen your skills and combat compassion fatigue? In this episode of the Lactation Business Coaching podcast, Annie & Leah share three ways you can grow your local connections and create more opportunities for all of you. From informal to formal, there’s something in here for everyone.“I want all of us to make a living. How can we do that for each other?” In this episode, we will cover: Show up and offer help. Volunteering with local lactation groups can boost your visibility and offer much-needed help Not available? Informal referral networks connect separate private practice lactation consultants without any legal agreements. Ready to make it official? Formal group practices have legal agreements in place and can be profitable for everyone  Thi

Annie and Leah have more listener questions in this episode of the Lactation Business Coaching podcast. From what’s in their home consult bags to running an office visit when you don’t have all the time in the world, they’ll share what works and what doesn’t in their own private practices. And if you’re a new IBCLC wondering if you’re ready to launch your practice, they’ve got some special words just for you.“You can’t do this on your own, you need other people and other people need you” In this episode, we will cover: What’s in your bag? Leah and Annie literally unpack their consult bags Time’s up: In the office, families have less time, so Leah has to be super-efficient to make the most of it. New in town: Leaping into private practice can feel intimidating when you feel like you know less than the other IBCLCs in your area. Building a community is the best remedy for professional insecurity.  This episode is sponsored by the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit. Listen to the episode for a Special