Hidden Gems: Meet Lyanna Moore of Moore 2 Love Doula Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyanna Moore.

Hi Lyanna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
I’m Lyanna Moore and I’m the owner of Moore 2 Love Doula Services in Grand Rapids, MI. Well, I joke that I fell into birth work. I actually have a double Bachelor’s degree in Photography and Journalism from Grand Valley State University. As a teen, I always had this idea that I would breastfeed my children. After having my first daughter in 2013, I became more passionate about lactation and learned as much as I could to share with others. I often had people come to me for advice and I enjoyed helping them.

In August 2017, after having my second daughter, I attended “The Big Latch On’ event held at a local park in Grand Rapids. I met a young woman named Asia who told me about a breastfeeding support group for Black women called HUGS (Helping Us Grow Strong) run by the Strong Beginnings education Coordinator Bonita Agee. Because of my previous experience, I quickly became a Breastfeeding Peer Mentor and I helped other mothers in the group with their concerns. In this group, I also heard many stories of mistreatment and disrespect that they received in the hospitals and with medical staff. Plus learning more about the disparities in the maternal and infant mortality rates of Black women ignited a desire in me to help my community on a new level. I wanted to find a way to be impactful without having to go back to college.

After having my third daughter in 2018, and in the midst of a pandemic I was trained to become a certified lactation specialist. Soon after I heard of a pilot community doula training program, Day One Doula Collective, that was going to be starting at the beginning of 2021. I applied and was accepted. After completing the 20-week course I was a trained community-based doula and was able to serve 6 families over the next year and a half.

In Spring of 2022, I enrolled into the Spring GR Small Business Accelerator program and that’s when Moore 2 Love Doula Services was born. I was given the tools and resources to build my business. I also won my class pitch competition being awarded $500 to put into my business. I also took time that summer to obtain my doula certification through Commonsense Childbirth Institute.

Since June 2022, I have been building my business to where it is today. I have been networking and currently have community partner status with Alpha Grand Rapids Women Center, H.O.A. P., and Moms Bloom. I was a finalist for the Sister In Business Pitch Competition. I also received the Grand Rapids Social Innovation Grant from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce which has allowed me to donate my services to 5 BIPOC families starting this year.

It has been a journey to get where I am today and I’m still growing and learning. I’m mainly excited to be serving my community in such a meaningful way.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes and No. Yes because it feels that I’m on the right path because of the doors and opportunities that have presented themselves to me. The network and relationships I built have guided me into this passion. But starting a business is hard. As someone who has been a full-time mom for years, I struggle with balance. I want to inspire my girls that they can go for their dreams but I still want to be present in their lives. I’m an entrepreneur but also a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend, and an individual. This field of work is unpredictable so having a support system is a must. Babies aren’t born only from 9 am-5 pm. They’re usually born in the middle of the night! So I’m grateful for my husband and friends for supporting me. There’s also the education piece, many people don’t understand what a doula is or the true value of having one. So I make that my focus on my social media. I want people to know what a doula is truly adding to their lives.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Moore 2 Love Doula Services provides non-judgmental care, support, and education. Our mission is to ensure clients have a safe and informed birthing experience so they feel empowered and confident. Think of us as your “Birthing Bestie”.

I’m currently one of few doulas of color in Grand Rapids. Our numbers are growing but so is our community. The BIPOC community is looking for trustworthy people to support them and to make sure they are respected and heard.

I’m most proud of my ability to make my clients feel cared for and know that I will treat them like family. I’m in this field to help a huge need. I believe every birthing person should have a positive experience no matter race, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status.

I offer full spectrum doula support for all birthing people and all pregnancy outcomes. I also offer lactation support. I offer three service packages starting at $1,000 up to $1,500. They include prenatal visits, labor support, postpartum visits, photography, lactation counseling, and a special gift. I offer sliding scale payment plans, and recently was approved to accept Medicaid.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I’m not a Grand Rapids, MI native. I was born and raised in Detroit. So coming here I appreciated the smaller city. After living her for 14 years, I like the resources and programs that are available. There are many opportunities to get help and do activities with the family, especially at little to no cost. With that said, there’s not enough knowledge about these programs and resources. Which is what I like to share with my clients. I’m also not a fan of the disparities in the treatment of BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ communities. There is some clear division in the city that I come across from clients, colleagues, and friends. There’s a lot of work to be done to make sure everyone is treat with equity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.moore2lovedoulaservices.com/
• Instagram: moore2love_doulaservices
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moore2lovedoula/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@moore2lovedoula 

Image Credits
FemPro Business Society
Day One Doula Collective