Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Chipman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My background is in animal science and veterinary medicine. The animal hospital I worked at did not offer benefits. After marriage and the birth of my first born (Kurt) my husband (David) was self-employed. We needed health insurance so I applied for a job at the local hospital. There they hired me as a surgical technologist in labor and delivery in November of 1988. When I was not in the operating room I would spend my time helping women in labor. This was before epidurals were introduced in labor which meant many hours of comfort measures. I was so amazed by the process of labor that I pursued a teaching certification in childbirth. If I was not in a labor room, I was in the nursery or out on the maternity floor helping a new mother with her baby. Anything from breastfeeding to changing diapers.
I have often been asked why I never went back to school for nursing. My answer has always been simple, “I love to teach!” I have taught childbirth classes for Hallmark Health, Tufts Medical Center, Isis Parenting and Massachusetts General Hospital before opening my very own studio Stork Ready in January of 2014.
I continue to work as a surgical technologist in Labor and Delivery at MGH since 2008. I am often asked if I will leave. The answer to that question is easy, “no”. I not only keep current on what is happening in labor and delivery I also get to work with some of the best doctors. I have been a surgical tech now for nearly 30 years. I love working with all of the new residents and watch them flourish and grow.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a journey that is for sure! Many people that know me know that I have always dreamed of owning my own pregnancy and parenting studio. You could say that when I did start the business that I did it on a whim. It was when a company named Isis Parenting abruptly closed their doors January 17 2014.
https://patch.com/massachusetts/needham/stork-ready-filling-void-left-by-isis-parenting
I decided I would open my own studio January 21, 2014, on Feb 8, 2014 I held my very first class at my first location, 325 Main Street North Reading Ma. My biggest challenge was funding, I didn’t have any, nor did I want it. Stork Ready has never had to borrow money. She has always been able to sustain herself. I am very proud of that fact.
This has however and has always been my biggest challenge. For instance developing my own website www.storkready.com. I built the entire website / mobile site myself and continue to maintain the websites to date. Teaching myself all about websites and the internet was and is very difficult. I spend countless hours teaching myself. Recently I learned that I needed to ask google to recrawl my website so that it would be up to date. That only took me three hours and five phone calls to figure out. I am learning and that is what matters.
My main goal is to always reach out to other like businesses, collaborating is very important for me and my business. “Businesses helping businesses. It’s not easy being a small business today and we all need to help each other. Right” At least that is what I thought all small business owners believed. I was amazed to find not every small business owner thinks or believes that same way. It hasn’t stopped me from trying. I continue to help other small businesses in any way that I can. Funny, when I started my business I called as many businesses that I could to collaborate with. Some were receptive, some not so much. Today I get approached by new businesses. It’s a great feeling. I love having the opportunity to help!
Stork Ready is 3 years young and in her infancy. That is what people tell me. They tell me it takes 4-5 years before a business becomes established. I like to describe her as being at the end of her runway and ready to take flight. I know that by next year this time she will be soaring high in full flight.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Stork Ready was founded in January 2014. I have taught in the hospital setting for over 20 years and I always promised to do some things differently if I ever had my own studio. First was that my classes would be small and personal. Stork Ready’s classes never exceed 4-6 couples. The classroom is comfortable and refreshments are always served. My Childbirth classes also offer what many other classes don’t and that is comfort measures. It is my firm belief that ALL couples need to learn comfort measure for labor no matter what they wish for their experience. (An epidural or natural birth). I have had many women take my class that wish for an epidural and experienced a natural birth simply because they had the tools they needed and were now empowered to face their births. Many other facilities offer comfort measures as a separate class charging an additional fee.
Stork Ready’s philosophy is that it is a judgement free zone. Every woman that enters Stork Ready must feel welcome and supported. Since its opening in January 2014 many parenting classes, support groups and workshops have been added. Including weekly Mommy Cafes and Breastfeeding Support groups. Celebrating Life After Loss is a Workshop that is offered to couples that are expecting (Rainbow Babies) babies after a loss. This group is run by Leslie Mc Keough from http://www.corevalu.com/ and Dr Julie Jolin.
Stork Ready offers a closed Facebook group for both Moms and Dads of Stork Ready. There have been so many lasting friendships that have come from Stork Ready. This is possibly one of the things that makes me most proud. I love to see all of the friendships and supports my families give to one another. Most recently we had a mom that needed breast-milk for her son. She reached out for help from the Moms of Stork Ready and the response was overwhelming.
Collaborating has always been very important to me. I am so proud of all of the amazing women businesses I have been able to bring to Stork Ready to share their knowledge and passion with my clients. Fall of 2017 is going to be great!!
Twin Classes from http://twinloveconcierge.com/
Hypnobirthing Classes from https://www.gentlewavesbirthing.com/
Infant Massage Classes from https://www.facebook.com/pg/infantmassagebykatelynn/about/?ref=page_internal
Wiggles and Giggles http://www.wigglesandgigglesfun.com/
The Loved Child https://thelovedchild.net/
Sound Play https://www.facebook.com/pg/soundplaymc/about/?ref=page_internal
Maria Nardella – Make and Takes (Make your own Baby Food) https://www.facebook.com/Maria-Nardella-Health-Coach-Personal-Chef-Oil-Sharer-300393973434488/
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I had a love and passion for animals, especially horses. I started riding when I was eleven. When I graduated High school I was asked if I wanted a car or a horse as a gift. My answer was, a horse of course. Funny, babies were never my favorite thing. I never was a babysitter. You would find me at a barn cleaning a horses stall long before you would ever find me changing a diaper. I majored in animal science( pre-vet) and worked in animal hospitals. Funny how my love for animals and medicine brought me to the human hospital and ultimately to what I would consider my passion. Every time I teach a childbirth class I still find the process of birth amazing.
Pricing:
- Childbirth Classes 175.00 per couple
- Infant CPR / Home Safety Class 90.00 per couple
- Breastfeeding Class 55.00 per couple
- Newborn Essentials Class 60,00 per couple
- Infant Massage Class 75.00 per couple
Contact Info:
- Address: 217 Main Street
North Reading Ma 01864 - Website: www.storkready.com
- Phone: 978-500-5081
- Email: storkready@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storkready/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StorkReady/
Image Credit:
Robin Nelson
https://www.facebook.com/robin.nelsonphotography?fref=search
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