After a well-deserved break over the summer months, we’re thrilled to return with our most cherished series on the platform—a place where we highlight the stories and achievements of women entrepreneurs, creators and leaders. These stories have consistently touched our hearts and inspired many to take that bold leap of faith.
Today, I’m delighted to introduce this month’s featured entrepreneur, Kathi Iseli. Kathi’s remarkable journey as a postpartum doula is a testament to her dedication to supporting mothers during one of the most vulnerable and transformative times of their lives.
Kathi’s work is a powerful example of how one can create a fulfilling career centered around compassion and community. Her commitment to nurturing new mothers and fostering supportive communities reflects the very essence of what we strive to uplift. I’m excited for you to discover more about Kathi’s incredible story and the positive impact she’s making in the lives of so many women.
Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself
My name is Kathi, I am originally from the little island of Guernsey in the UK. I moved to Switzerland 15 years ago when I met my now husband on a train trip through Russia! I am now proudly Swiss and British. I have a history degree but I have had an eclectic career background, I have done everything from from teaching to working in a prison to serving as a civil servant, working in retail, and guiding adventure tours. When I first came to Switzerland I worked for nearly 10 years in an international school in Zürich, but once my children were born everything changed.
They became the driving force behind my decision to transition into a new role as a Postpartum Doula, a career that allows me to support other families during one of the most important times of their lives.
Tell us about your current business. What are you doing exactly?
My business, Mama Doula creates support and community for mothers living in German speaking Switzerland. My role is two fold: I work individually with women to create their ideal Postpartum Sanctuary. I emphasize the principles of slow living, guiding families in creating a “Slow Postpartum” experience. This approach allows mothers to rest, bond with their newborns and enjoy a few weeks of gentle, unhurried time away from the demands of everyday life. Together, we design a plan for the first 4-8 weeks after the baby’s birth, preparing everything in advance so that the mother can focus on recovery and bonding while everything else is taken care of.
In some cases, I’m there to facilitate the plan, providing hands-on support by visiting frequently, cooking, and caring for both mother and baby. In other cases, I collaborate with the family to create the plan, which they then implement on their own.
Most importantly, I serve as a listener and confidante. Motherhood brings a whirlwind of new emotions, experiences, and challenges, compounded by exhaustion and significant hormonal changes. Many women, particularly expats in Switzerland without nearby family, find themselves feeling isolated during this time. Postpartum mental health is fragile, and it’s crucial that new mothers have someone to talk to—someone who listens without judgment or unsolicited advice.
The second aspect of my work involves facilitating community and support through groups in the Zürich and Baden areas. I lead Baby Massage, Mother and Baby Circles and Story Magic classes for toddlers, creating spaces where mothers can connect and support one another.
Motherhood is a journey and women need and deserve a village of support around them. However, the realities of modern life often leave mothers trying to forge connections and find community at a time when they are already exhausted and depleted from caring for a newborn. The Mothers Circles offer a weekly space where mothers can come with their babies but focus on their own wellbeing. We incorporate elements of relaxation, mindfulness, and breathing, providing dedicated time for mothers to rest and recharge. The Circles are a safe space for women to be honest and share their experiences—the good and the challenging—with others who understand. It’s also a place for forming supportive friendships. Having a community of “mum friends” can make all the difference in the motherhood experience.
As part of the Circles, I also teach baby massage, empowering mothers with techniques to soothe and calm their babies while enhancing their own mental health and deepening the mother-baby bond.
And of course, we always have cake, and I make sure every mother gets to enjoy a “hot cup of coffee”—for a change!
Tell us your story, how did you come up with this idea?
Before moving to Switzerland, I ran a children’s party business in the UK alongside my day job. However, the inspiration for Mama Doula came directly from my own postpartum experience. After giving birth to twins in 2015, I found myself transitioning from a busy, social job in an international setting to being a stay-at-home mom in a small village where I knew few people and struggled with the language barrier. Despite having my Swiss family nearby, I felt isolated, overwhelmed, and exhausted, especially with my own family back in the UK.
The turning point came when my midwife introduced me to another overwhelmed mom in my village. Our friendship showed me the power of mutual support during motherhood. Later, I encountered a Doula during an infant first aid course and realized that this was the kind of support I wanted to offer other mothers—to ensure they never felt as alone as I did.
The birth of my third child in 2017 reinforced for me even more that motherhood isn’t something we should do alone. With support from my friends, family, and a professional support, I navigated those challenging years. By 2021, after the setbacks of COVID, I finally launched Mama Doula, having completed my Postpartum Doula in both the UK and Switzerland. A personal challenge of studying in German was a daunting yet empowering experience. This training, along with my work with other women, deepened my understanding of the critical need for postpartum care, both practical and emotional.
I initially focused on postpartum support, but my journey led me to start facilitating Mothers Circles, where women could share their experiences and find community. Inspired by a project on celebrating the transformation of motherhood, I trained to offer ongoing support through these Circles, as well as home-based postpartum care.
As my business grew, I noticed that mothers wanted to continue meeting as their babies grew older. Drawing on my children’s party planning experience, I created “Story Magic,” a relaxed and interactive story time for toddlers, which also offers space for mothers to connect.
To further support women, I trained in the “3 Step Rewind Process,” which helps women process traumatic experiences during pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. This program has been transformative for many women and has become an integral part of my offerings.
More details can be found here https://www.mamadoula.ch/traumaticbirthrecovery
Starting Mama Doula has been both deeply rewarding and challenging. I love the work I do and see its importance daily. However, it’s been a journey to help others understand the value of planning for postpartum support in advance, not waiting until the mother and family are struggling. My goal is to provide both personalised support in the home for new mothers, ensuring every new mother feels supported and cared for during this pivotal time.
More details can be found here htthttps://www.mamadoula.ch/doula-services
How has it been running your business in Switzerland? Any setbacks you faced that you turned into an opportunity to grow?
Running my business in Switzerland has been both deeply rewarding although sometimes frustrating. I’m passionate about what I do and see its importance every day in the feedback I receive from mothers. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of learning the business side of things—building a website, creating a marketing strategy, and networking—I’ve grown my skills set and connected me with incredible people in the perinatal support field.
While the administrative and legal aspects of starting a business in Switzerland have been relatively straightforward, the startup costs can add up quickly. One challenge I’ve faced is helping others understand the value of postpartum support. Although Switzerland offers excellent maternity care and midwife support, the concept of extended postpartum care is still unfamiliar to many. I’ve had to refine my “elevator pitch” to communicate the essence of my work effectively, but I often encounter blank stares or disbelief that this is a real job.
Despite these challenges, I’m committed to filling the gap in postpartum care. The support I offer is about more than just physical recovery—it’s about rebuilding the rich, multigenerational community care that many women no longer have. In a society where it’s no longer practical or realistic to be surrounded by mothers, friends, and extended family after childbirth, I aim to recreate that nurturing environment in a small but meaningful way.
Each challenge has pushed me to grow, and every setback has been an opportunity to reinforce the importance of this work and the need for a broader understanding of postpartum care.
If you’re comfortable, please share with our readers any challenge or setback that you overcame and how it shaped your journey. What lessons did you learn from that experience that you still implement today?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is the ongoing conflict between work and family that many working mothers experience. In the early days of my business, I had to cancel a block of classes due to my children’s health problems. It was a tough decision—I work for myself to have the flexibility to prioritize my family, but when family comes first, my business inevitably takes a hit. Thankfully, my children are older now, and I have a solid childcare support system in place which allows me to focus on my clients.
However, this experience highlighted larger societal questions about the conflict of motherhood and work that I know everyone relates to. Mothers are often the default parent, and issues like childcare availability, workplace support for breastfeeding mothers, and the broader societal recognition of the value of motherhood are still very real. These are the conversations I bring into my Mothers Circles, helping women see that when they struggle, it’s often not a personal failing but a lack of societal support.
The key lesson I’ve learned and continue to implement is the importance of advocating for systemic change. While supporting individual mothers is vital, we also need to address the broader societal structures that make motherhood more challenging than it needs to be. The next step for me is figuring out how to turn these conversations into meaningful action.
What is a day like “in your heels?”
One of the things I love about running my own business is the flexibility to schedule my day around my family. My day typically begins after I’ve seen the kids off to school. If I’m running a Mothers Circle, I head straight to the venue to set up. I like to arrive early, giving myself time to create a calm and welcoming environment. I set up the space, play some relaxation music, light candles, and take a few moments to breathe and center myself. It’s important for me to clear my mind of any distractions so I can be fully present for the mothers who will be sharing their experiences that day. Lately, I’ve started facilitating Circles in German, which can be a bit daunting, so I take a few minutes to review my notes and ensure I’m ready to lead the session smoothly.
After the Circle, my day often shifts gears to a Story Magic class—a lively, energetic session with toddlers. These classes are intentionally relaxed and unstructured because I remember how challenging it was to follow a rigid program with two curious toddlers of my own. I don’t ever want a mother in my class to feel like they are doing something wrong if their child won’t sit still – they’re not meant to!
One of the most rewarding moments is watching the mothers connect with each other as they leave, planning playdates and coffee meet-ups. Building a sense of community is my ultimate goal, and seeing these friendships blossom is incredibly fulfilling.
In the afternoon, I prepare for my Postpartum Clients. This could involve a home visit to care for a new mom and baby, or meeting with expectant parents to discuss their needs and how they envision their postpartum period. Sometimes, I meet with other local service providers, such as lactation consultants or sleep specialists, to build a strong network of contacts for personalized client recommendations. I might also spend time preparing meals for a client or conducting a 3 Step Rewind session, which are often emotionally intense. I ensure I’m never rushed before or after these sessions, giving them the focus and care they deserve.
I love that every day is different, shaped by the unique needs of my clients.
Of course, there’s always business admin to attend to—updating my website, managing social media, and other tasks. But I’ve found that I really enjoy this side of things too. It keeps me learning and challenged, which I find incredibly satisfying.
Would you like to give any specific advice to fellow entrepreneurs?
My biggest piece of advice is to find your cheerleaders. Running a business, especially when you are a service, can be hard work and sometimes lonely. My business truly started to flourish—and became more enjoyable—when I connected with other doulas and female business owners in Zürich at LilyBee Family Center. We meet together regularly to hold ourselves accountable, bounce ideas around and share information and advice.
Joining groups like My Swiss Story‘s “With Purpose” and their associated WhatsApp grouphas also been incredibly beneficial. These communities provide access to a wealth of knowledge and support from talented female entrepreneurs across Switzerland. I’m constantly inspired by the amazing work of the women around me and hope to give back to these groups as I continue to grow.
For a long time, the narrative suggested that to be a successful woman in business, you had to be cutthroat and independent. But we’re defintely$ seeing a shift, with female leaders embracing their feminine strengths as they navigate the world of business and entrepreneurship. Time and again, we see how much stronger we are when we support and uplift each other, whether in motherhood or business.
If my story resonated with you or you have thoughts or questions, the best way to reach me is through my Instagram. I’d love to connect with like-minded people.
You can also connect with Kathi on her Facebook or browse her Website.
Are you a Woman Entrepreneur/ Leader/ Content creator? Get featured on My Swiss Story!
We are constantly looking for women with fascinating stories and experiences; those who are passionate enough to make a difference, those who have built successful businesses, those who have paved the path for others, and those who have taken actions to overcome adversities.