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In honor of Black History Month, Let’s Detroit spoke with Ambassador Brianna Simpson, a birth worker at B. Rooted Wellness, about her experience being a Black entrepreneur. Keep reading to learn more about her experience, then connect with her via her Let’s Detroit Ambassador page.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your business?

My name is Brianna Simpson, and I am a birth worker; more specifically, I am a holistic full-spectrum doula, childbirth educator, and lactation professional. I have been providing emotional, physical, and informational support to women and their families since 2018. My in-person support is offered to families in Southeast Michigan, but I also offer virtual support services for families anywhere.

Why did you start your business? What inspired you?

I started B. Rooted Wellness because my long-term goal is to become a midwife, and being a doula has allowed me to gain knowledge and experience in the maternal-infant health field. What inspired this is that there is a maternal health care crisis in America caused by systemic racism and implicit bias. I was devastated once I learned that Black women were dying during pregnancy at rates up to five times higher than white women and were three times more likely to die following birth. To address this, I started The Committed Care Contributions Fund [through B. Rooted] to increase accessibility to doula services for local Black mothers. This gave mothers the support they needed without the full financial burden of that support falling on them.

Did you face any challenges when starting your business? If so, what were they, and how did you overcome them?

I faced intrapersonal challenges at the beginning of my birth working career. I often doubted if I was ready and if I would remember the lessons from my training. I overcame these challenges by essentially flying the aircraft as I flew it. I believe that knowing the right people can be more beneficial than memorizing lessons from books. The right person can teach you what you need to know from their lived experiences. I attribute my success to the many mentors who have guided me on this journey. My favorite African proverb is: If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

Has your experience of being a business owner been different than what you expected first going into it?  If so, would you have done anything differently?

This business was actually my second business, so it wasn’t much different than what I had expected. If I had known then what I know now, I would have partnered with other local birth workers to establish a collaboration. Two or more heads can be great in this line of service.

What should aspiring Black entrepreneurs know before getting started?

Boundaries. Boundaries. Boundaries.

Are there any resources you recommend for starting your own business?

Score Mentoring is a free and useful resource for new entrepreneurs that connects them with local mentors and provides access to business webinars.

What advice would you give aspiring Black entrepreneurs looking to start their own businesses? Are there specific advantages or disadvantages to being a Black business owner?

Doing your due diligence is mandatory. Understanding the laws that pertain to your industry is key. My biggest piece of advice is to take your time and do things right. There aren’t any disadvantages to being a Black business owner. The only limitations you will truly face are the ones you impose on yourself. There is only one of you. The world needs you, your creativity, your passion, and the fire that burns inside you.