Meet Nikkeria Thomas | Certified Postpartum Doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikkeria Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikkeria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a really young girl, I was always a nurturer and a lover of mothers and babies; however, my young mind didn’t fully understand the toll of motherhood or parenthood especially in the fourth trimester. Once I got older, I started learning more about maternal health, the impact of isolation and lack of education during postpartum. When I discovered doulas, I knew that is who I was at heart so I did the work to formally become one.

When I started my business, I knew I wanted to name it “Thrive” because that is what I envisioned my clients doing. I wanted them to know that they didn’t have to struggle through postpartum or merely survive it because they have me as doula to hold them, nurture them, and support them physically and emotionally. It was also important for me to shed light on the importance of supporting parents especially the birthing person during postpartum. Having my own business also meant having more flexibility in my day to day and creating my own vision for what my journey as a doula would look like.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner and founder of Thrive Doula Services. I provide postpartum support to parents which includes breastfeeding support, newborn care, household tasks, emotional and physical support to the birthing person, and infant sleep support. Additionally, I also provide evidence based information to parents to support them in decision making throughout their postpartum journey.

After spending so much time wondering about what my future would look like I finally realized that this is the work I am supposed to be doing, but it was not easy as I was in college fulltime and struggling financially. I started nannying in my early years of college and decided to invest in postpartum training as well as a newborn care specialist training course. My husband has played a major role in my ability to devote time and money into my business and continuing education. He has continuously encouraged me and done some extensive hand holding when I had doubts about how to move forward with this business.

Along the way, I have learned that if you don’t listen to that little voice inside you about your purpose, it gets louder and everything else seems meaningless and unfulfilling. I have also learned the importance of asking for help. Sure, we want to be independent but as human beings, we need each other and good things can come from leaning on others when you need them.

Don’t be afraid to take up space. Sometimes you may feel like you don’t belong but that isn’t true. When you love what you do and have that passion, you have to stand in it and know that you are where you are meant to be!

I am just a little girl from rural South Georgia that always felt a call to nurturing families. I didn’t know any doulas. I didn’t have entrepreneurial role models either but in my heart, I felt a calling to be in this space.

Thrive is about connection, holding mothers and normalizing the ups and downs of postpartum and parenthood and helping them feel empowered through support and education. It is not my job to parent their babies but to help them feel capable in doing it on their own because they have someone in their corner cheering them on through it all!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Breakfast at Fox and the Hen or Jelly
Coffee from Devil’s Food in Wash Park and then walk around the lake.
Lunch from Cherry Cricket or Perdida
Bonnie Brae has the yummiest ice cream flavors so I’d be sure to stop in for a treat!

Visit Red Rocks for sure!
Horseback riding at 12 Mile Stables
Take a stroll at Denver Botanic Gardens

Drive out to Breck and spend a few days there! Hike at Hoosier’s Pass
Coffee AND Pastries from La Francaise
Lunch at the Crepe cart!!!!
Dinner at Giampietro
Visit the Breckenridge Troll

Night out at Lincolns in Union Station. It is a cool little speakeasy if you can find it!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Firstly, thank you to my husband for creating stability in our lives and always encouraging me to go for my dreams. You gave our family stability while I stepped back from traditional employment to dedicate more time to my work as a doula.

Thank you to Maternal Instincts for taking a chance on me so many years ago. They allowed me to gain that experience working with newly postpartum mothers.

Thank you to every family that has opened their doors to me during a time where they were vulnerable and in such a sacred transition. It was an honor to support them and lift them up while they walked your postpartum journey!

Thank you to Dr. Emma Bunkley who has never missed a chance to pour words of encouragement into me! I am incredibly grateful to know you!

Website: https://www.thrivedoulaservicesco.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568625563181

Image Credits
Amba Creative