Meet Kiley Tkaczyk | Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Preconception Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kiley Tkaczyk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kiley, what matters most to you?
The value that matters most to me is having intention behind every action. This principle is fundamental because it ensures that everything I do is aligned with my purpose and values. It creates a container a deep level of clarity, mindfulness and focus, which leads to more meaningful and impactful outcomes.

This approach was absolutely crucial in my career transition from a corporate environment to a solo venture. It guided me through the challenges and uncertainties, allowing me to stay grounded and committed to my path, remaining completely authentic with integrity in both my personal and professional life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
With over a decade in various healthcare roles, paired with years immersed in the study of birth, my journey has been comprised of several leaps of faith. I’ve been a top performer at a Fortune 500 Med Tech organization, the first business development hire at a unicorn startup, a coach, and a founding member of a logistics startup.
I’ve navigated through the stability of corporate life, the dynamic environment of startups, and ultimately transitioned to launching my own businesses.

Transitioning from a corporate environment to a solo venture required a huge shift in mindset. It meant seeking inner wisdom to eliminate self doubt and developing unwavering trust in myself to pursue a career I am completely aligned with. Initially, I struggled to trust both myself and the process. Moving from a stable, secure environment to ones full of uncertainty were significant adjustments. However, these experiences have led me to find exponential fulfillment, which has proven to be tremendously more meaningful than I could have ever imagined.

Throughout my tenure, I experienced a profound paradigm shift, recognizing that there’s significantly more to health than just the physiological aspects, prompting an exploration at a deeper level.   I’ve always been drawn to pursuing a career that involved providing emotional support, which led me to become a coach, and subsequently, a birth and postpartum doula working with women from preconception to parenthood. I also founded N.L. Sol, which is a secondhand and handmade goods marketplace.

Birth is designed to be beautiful, raw, primal, and life changing, but because it has been over-pathologized, women are left lacking confidence and  trust in their bodies, instinct and intuition. My mission is to facilitate a conscious connection to birthing journeys. A lot of this includes mindset work – developing intentions, remaining in flow state and releasing the tight grip of control we tend to have due to fears, beliefs, expectations and past experiences.

I am deeply passionate about the work I do because of the powerful human connection it brings. Developing close bonds with families and having the honor to be in a family’s sacred and intimate space to witness the birth of a new life and the rebirth of the parents is the most rewarding work I could ever dream of.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This city offers a diverse range of neighborhoods, each with its own unique appeal. As an east side enthusiast, I enjoy highlighting its hidden treasures on this side of town. Begin your day with a yoga class at Kinship in Highland Park, followed by a kokomo matcha at Highly Likely. Check out vintage shops like Worship, Bearded Beagle, and Sunbeam Vintage along Figueroa and York. Enjoy tacos at HomeState or pizza at Triple Beam and cocktails at Good Housekeeping or Gold Rail. The South Pasadena farmer’s market is fantastic.

I spend a lot of my time outdoors, always searching for new forest hikes with running water. Among my favorites are Sunset Ridge, Switzer Falls, and Gould Mesa. Visiting Sierra Madre is always lovely with its tranquil small mountain town vibes, it’s very grounding. Huntington Library is perfect for a sunny afternoon and has the most beautiful grounds and gardens.

Being a Chicago native, I love areas that are super walkable. I’d recommend an urban hike through the Los Feliz Hills, walk by the the Frank Lloyd Wright Ennis house and a walk down Vermont. Live jazz at the Dresden is a must! You could also spend a leisurely day at Echo Park Lake with a picnic, followed by a stroll around the lake. Enjoy daytime drinks at Bar Flores, then venture to Silver Lake for a walk along Sunset Boulevard. For dinner, hit up Night + Market, and unwind at Melody Wine Bar for a cozy wine tasting in a bungalow setting. DTLA has some really great restaurants such as Redbird, Bavel and Badmaash. Grand Central Market is a fun culinary experience as well.

It’s not all eastside hangs, though! A scenic drive through Topanga offers stunning views and a special vibe that’s very different from the rest of LA. Cornell Wine Co on Mullholland is a really special spot to chill at and catch live music and see the peacocks on the property! Moonshadows is my favorite restaurant in Malibu. Get a spot on the patio for sunset – it is likely you’ll see dolphins. Driving down the PCH, hit up the beach or perhaps stop by Lake Shrine, a serene sanctuary perfect for reflection and meditation founded by Paramahansa Yogananda.

My go to touristy activity is the Hollywood Homes tour which is an open air van experience where a guide drives you through the hills, and gives you some history of LA as well as look at the amazing architecture. You can wrap that up with drinks at the Roosevelt and a show at the Hollywood bowl or go to a magic show at Black Rabbit Rose. Tramp Stamp Granny is so much fun for musical lovers. I can’t go to Hollywood without stopping at Mashti Malone’s for Persian ice cream.

Since I’m obsessed with vintage shopping, I always make sure to bring guests to the Long Beach Flea, Melrose Trading Post, Rosebowl Flea or any of the weekend markets across the city. Estate sales are really incredible in LA!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate this to my beloved and a very integral part of my story, Damon. Your wisdom, determination and artistry inspire me to reach new heights every day.

Website: https://www.doulakiley.com

Instagram: doulakiley

Yelp: Doula Kiley