New Jersey is home to many ambitious and talented women who juggle family, career, and home. A select few of these women are also extremely busy building their own companies to help better manage the balance of work and family. At NJMOM, we want to highlight these extraordinary women who build businesses in New Jersey, and learn the secret to their success.
Co-Owner of Premier Doulas & NJMOMpreneur:
Tracee Gonzalez, CD. MAT
Tracee Gonzalez‘s own birth experiences became more positive with each child. After her third baby, she realized how much she had learned about her own body and the labor process itself – thanks to the incredible support system of her OBGYN, midwife, and husband. After seeing for herself how education and support can be so beneficial to expecting and new mothers, Tracee became inspired to provide doula services in Northern New Jersey as Co-Owner of Premier Doulas, LLC. Her college education in business, master’s in education, and experience as owner of Baby’s Premiere 3D/4D Ultrasound are just part of what makes Tracee such and effective and passionate mentor and educator. But she’ll tell you herself that the success of Premier Doulas is due to her incredible team of doulas, and the diverse knowledge they have to offer.
NJMOM was able to learn about the important services offered by Premier Doulas, how the births of Tracee’s three children inspired her to get into her field, and her family’s favorite things to do for fun in New Jersey.
NJMOM: What do you offer to your clients and how is it different than other professionals in your field?
Tracee: I am a co-owner of Premier Doulas, LLC in Maywood, New Jersey, which is a full service birth and postpartum doula agency. We offer baby basics, breastfeeding, and infant massage classes. What sets us apart from other professionals in our field is our team of doulas. Our doulas are diverse and cover a wide variety of skills and support for all expectant parents. Our agency also works hard to not be pigeonholed into what people typically see as “doulas.” We support all births (medicated, unmedicated, Cesarean sections) and we help guide parents into knowing all of their options.
NJMOM: What inspired you to get into your line of work?
Tracee: I had a great support system during my births. I had a wonderful OBGYN, midwife, and my husband who helped me through labor. However, with each birth, I learned more about my body, labor itself, and how having a doula would be truly beneficial for everyone involved. It was then that I decided that I wanted to help educate and support women and their families from pregnancy through labor and once they brought their little ones home.
NJMOM: What is your favorite part about your business?
Tracee: My favorite part of the business is knowing we could be there for a family emotionally and physically and also knowing we are there for our awesome team of doulas as mentors and partners.
NJMOM: What is your background in your business expertise?
Tracee: In college I was both a music and business major. I graduated with that dual degree before proceeding on to a master’s in teaching. My co-owner Michelle Radice also has a college background in business and real life expertise in business as the owner of Baby’s Premiere 3D/4D Ultrasound. Our background and education in business helped us in moving forward with a successful business plan.
NJMOM: What are you most proud of in your career?
Tracee: I am most proud of how we at Premier Doulas have continued to push forward in bringing the doula profession to the Northern New Jersey area. Our goal is to be a one stop resource for expectant and new parents.
NJMOM: What is something few people know about you?
Tracee: Few people know how I much I love anything to do with sci-fi fantasy, reality television (especially wrestling), and how much I love to write music.
Tracee: This year, you can expect for me to work hard to find a solid balance between work and family. I also want to continue to broaden awareness of the benefits in having a postpartum doula as well.
NJMOM: What cause are you most passionate about?
Tracee: I am most passionate in educating parents about learning and processing challenges in children. There is so much misinformation out there, and I want to help guide them and advocate with them for their child.
Tracee: My role model has and will always be my mother. She was a nurse for over forty years. My mom is a strong woman who pushed me and encouraged me in my careers. She also does not hesitate to give me much needed advice as well. My mom always tells me, to repeat Phillipians 4:13; “I can do all things through Him.”
NJMOM: Do you have a favorite quote you live by?
Tracee: My mantra for myself is to not be anxious for anything. We have to believe that we are on the right path and it will all fall into place the way it was meant.
Tracee: My family and I love going to Chester, New Jersey every year for pumpkin picking and the corn maze. My husband, Anthon,y is better at it than I am, but our three children love exploring and getting lost in the maze every year! We also love The Land of Make Believe. It can be so hard to make time to spend with our families, but even if you can’t do an entire vacation – do day trips. These memories that you make with your family are more important than anything.
NJMOM: What is the best part about being a mom for you?
Tracee: The best things about being a mom is seeing your children’s growth day after day. Your heart is filled with pride as you see the look on their faces when they accomplish anything from walking to their first cartwheel to reading for the first time.
Tracee: My favorite businesses in New Jersey are Artastic in Pompton Lakes, Bounce Safari in Waldwick, and Sky Zone in Pine Brook. Our favorite restaurant is the Twisted Elm in Elmwood Park.
Tracee: I live in Wanaque, New Jersey with my husband Anthony our three children, Alicia, Alexis and Anthony Xavier. Our favorite vacation spot is camping in Camp May at Seashore Campsites. Our entire family gets together for a fun filled weekend camping and playing at Wildwood. I love that we can all let our hair down and revert back to what we all loved about being a child; playing in the woods, getting dirty, eating junk, and exploring.
NJMOM: What advice might you have for a fellow NJMOMpreneur who is just starting out?
Tracee: My advice to other moms who are business owners or who want to be business owners, is to not let anyone else define you or your business. Always push forward, especially when things are the hardest.
NJMOM: Anything else you’d like to tell moms in New Jersey?
Tracee: For moms in general – always stop and take those moments to reflect and relax. It’s not selfish, but a necessity. Pamper yourself, too!
To learn more about Premier Doulas, visit their website and follow along on Facebook.
