Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah

Today we are the ones being interviewed.  Julia, a rockstar student in UCSD's Pathway to Lactation program, slid into our DMs to share her journey and fangirl over the podcast (and reminded us that, yes, people actually listen to this thing). The conversation begins with an exploration of a typical workday, punctuated by our varied responsibilities as lactation consultants. We also share what we l...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month we talk about keeping our businesses going while working through b...

In this episode, we take on the high-stakes world of office supply management, because nothing says “thriving professional” like frantically searching for a missing flange insert. We discuss how to stockpile just enough essential supplies without drowning in a sea of unnecessary purchases. Plus where we store them in our small office spaces. But it’s not just about space; it's also about the emoti...

In this episode, we dive into how our surroundings can make or break a parent’s already fragile sanity. Turns out, everything from the way we breathe (yes, even that) to where we sit down in someone’s living room can impact whether a parent feels supported. From home visits to clinic spaces, we discuss how décor, lighting, and the strategic absence of clutter can prevent sensory overload (for both...

Today we are diving into the crazy world of scheduling. From juggling multiple locations to dealing with holiday madness, we are sharing our secrets and survival tactics.  Leah explains her scheduling system, which involves multiple providers and locations, and the crucial role that her administrative assistant, Amanda, plays in orchestrating the chaos (and why she should get a raise).  Annie expl...

It’s the New year and with that comes making resolutions but this year we are not excited about it. The idea of setting goals has become daunting. Plus we usually don’t keep them anyway. It’s time to take a more intentional approach and remember that good enough is good enough. Listen in as we set a goal to not put so much pressure on ourselves and just realize that we are doing the best we can (j...

Bring some tissues to this episode because we are talking about not only us getting older but also our kids. We candidly share our experiences of growing older while still relating to a client base primarily entrenched in the childbearing years. We reflect on how our experiences differ profoundly from those of our clients and how that fosters a need for empathy, understanding, and adaptation in ou...

We’re back! Did you miss us? We are reconnecting after a summer break where Leah was recovering from major back surgery, a significant event that shifted not just her physical circumstances but profoundly affected her approach to both life and business.  Also, Annie reveals her previous mindset regarding health issues and the unrealistic standards she sets for herself, which led to detrimental con...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month, we talked with Allison Alexander, LPN IBCLC about  the contentiou...

Have you always dreamed of helping families with breastfeeding? In today’s episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie & Leah, we talk about how we became International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, also known as IBCLCs. We discuss the different pathways to becoming eligible to sit for the board exam and break down the biggest things we have learned in the years since we first c...

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 p...

It's so important for IBCLCs to be seen as part of the care team for the breastfeeding families we serve. One way we can impact our presence in the care team is to communicate with the other providers working with the breastfeeding family.  Today we will discuss what we need to send to the other providers on the care team as well as strategies to make this process effective and efficient. So if yo...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month, we got to chat with Tenise N. Hordge MBA, IBCLC about planning. S...

Are you a risk taker or do you tend to overthink before taking action? In this episode, we dive into the nuanced world of risk-taking, particularly in the context of growing a private practice. Leah shares her tendency to be risk-averse and the overthinking spiral that can result from facing risky decisions. Annie, on the other hand, describes herself as someone who jumps into ideas quickly, often...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month, we got to chat with Cathy Watson Genna about reflux. She dives in...

Today we are discussing how hard it can be to keep up to date with all the new information that is thrown at us. Not to mention all the misinformation that is out there! Deciding what to implement in your lactation business and what you shouldn’t can cause such a headache. Listen in as we go down memory lane, reminiscing about our own learning adventures and the ever-present quest to fill our brai...

Each month, we  host a Deeper Dive, which is a live Q& A with an expert in the field of lactation, business, or personal development. The following snippet is from our most recent Deeper Dive.  This month, we got to meet with Hope Lima  and we talked about all things allergies. Hope helped us understand what an IBCLC needs to know about allergies, the difference between intolerance and allergi...

In today’s episode, we're tackling a subject that can make hearts pound and palms sweat: raising your rates in your business.  We open up about the challenges of pricing our services, sharing personal experiences and insights into the uncomfortable yet necessary discussions about when and how to raise rates.  Listen in as we unravel the complexities of money mindset, emphasizing the significance o...

In our lactation businesses, we want to plan long-term while also remaining open to new challenges and opportunities. None of us can predict the future, but having a plan in place is a great way to know what you want your business to look like as it grows. In this episode, we are diving headfirst into the wild ride that is running your own lactation private practice and letting you in on the thing...

In this bonus episode of one of our very first Deeper Dives, we're talking about our charting adventures and spilling the tea on all the electronic charting platforms we've tried. Plus we share our top-secret strategies for nailing that documentation, and let me tell you, customizing those charting templates is a game-changer. And checkboxes for intake? Total lifesavers! This episode is all about...

You have questions, we have answers! In today’s episode, we are answering listener questions. Everything from burnout, internships, and patient privacy. We also talk about financial strategies for your private practice, because we know that money matters. The most important thing is to stay focused on your own journey and remember we're here to cheer you on every step of the way. “I got a lot of f...

In this bonus episode of one of our first Deeper Dives, we are diving into the exciting world of setting up your own private practice. We'll be chatting about all the juicy stuff like deciding what kind of practice to have, how to handle follow-up services like a boss, and setting those all-important boundaries with clients.  Oh, and let's not forget about actually making money!  We'll be dishing...

We're taking a trip down memory lane and sharing some hilarious moments from our podcasting journey.  Let's just say, it's not always glamorous dealing with breastfeeding challenges! So grab your headphones and get ready for some laughs and insights as we celebrate 5 years of the podcast! “Does it feel good for your clients to pay what they're paying but also does it feel good to work for what we'...

In this bonus episode, we dive deep into the topic of imposter syndrome and share our own fears and anxieties surrounding it. Oh boy, do we know how tough it can be for lactation consultants!  The expectations and pressures can be sky-high. And let's not forget about the impact imposter syndrome can have on our professional growth and confidence. It's a real bummer, but don't worry, we've got some...

Today we are celebrating our five year podcast anniversary. So, we're taking a trip down memory lane and reminiscing about how we first met and started this incredible podcast.  It's been quite the journey! We can't thank our listeners enough for sticking with us throughout the years. You make this podcast so much fun and we couldn't do it without you. You guys rock!  “We always need to keep learn...