Lori is a mom of two, and the Massage Therapist/Doula behind Gaia Mama Wellness. Born and raised in Winnipeg, she spent the majority of her 20’s living in Western Canada and travelling abroad figuring out her passions, meeting her partner and starting a family.  

Tell us about your business.

I moved back to Winnipeg this year with my husband and kids and now serve families in the area. I’m a trained Massage Therapist, Reflexologist, Doula and Childbirth Educator and specialize in Prenatal & Postpartum Massage and love supporting my clients during labour as a Doula. I am passionate about nurturing, supporting and empowering mamas at any stage but love helping women transition to motherhood. I use my hands and heart to help women feel more comfortable in their bodies with my massage and bodywork skills, and teach couples how to prepare for labour and postpartum.

 

What made you decide to get into your field?

I have always been super interested in the holistic realm of health and wellness and always wanted to make an impact on other people’s lives by helping them. It didn’t click until after my son was born what my gifts really were and I began going to school for massage therapy.

Through my own pregnancies, postpartum and birthing experiences I decided to specialize in working with mothers as a Massage Therapist and it has just continued to grow from there!

 

What is your mission or the vision of your business?

To support, nurture and empower pregnant and postpartum moms with massage, bodywork, labour support and childbirth education. 

 

There are probably many, but what was one of the biggest or most important lessons you’ve learned since becoming an entrepreneur?

The to-do list will always be there, but my kids are only going to be little for so long! I birthed my business the same time I birthed my second baby (well-while I was pregnant with her) and it’s been difficult to find balance. I can spend forever working on or in my business but I have to remember that my kids will only be little for a little while and they are why I do this in the first place!

 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to dive into a similar field?

You will be successful if you can understand your body, know what your limitations are as a practitioner and have healthy boundaries with your clients and prevent burnout. 

 

What are you working on right now that you’re dying to tell us about?

I’ve just finished working on my childbirth classes that I will be teaching with another doula in the city who I met through our training. We’ve been launching them this fall! We are so excited to bring a comprehensive series to families in Winnipeg that really looks at all aspects of the birthing person and their partner in their transition to parenthood-physically, mentally and emotionally. 

 

How did you hear about Hustle + Charm?

I was part of a Mompreneur group back in Calgary and I knew how key it was in my journey as an entrepreneur. So one night I was searching for something similar after moving back to Winnipeg and came across Hustle + Charm!

What was it about Hustle + Charm that led you to becoming a member?

I sent Charmaine a message and she was just so welcoming, and positive. Plus their events just looked like so much fun! I love that they are not just all about the business but about making friends who are entrepreneurs as well!

 

What was one of the most memorable or impactful experience you’ve had in Hustle + Charm?

I’ve yet to experience an in-person event (soon I hope!) but even just being a part of this community on the Facebook group has made me feel less alone in this entrepreneurial journey since arriving in Winnipeg. I actually found some other really awesome women who serve businesses and was able to pass on a couple of contacts to some of my other friends who ended up using their services. I definitely recommend signing up for a membership. You won’t regret it!

Want to stay in touch with Lori? Follow her on Instagram and say hello!