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

Hi Kristen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Seeing the gap in our maternal health care system when it comes to nutrition made me want to be part of the change. With Heartfed, we are educating and supporting women throughout their pregnancy in a way that also supports their postpartum recovery and their baby’s development. Understanding the support needed for moms in their season of life while focusing on their mental and physical health was something we could be PROACTIVE about. Often times, we wait until their is a problem to get support, but when it comes to pregnancy and postpartum there are so many additional factors we need to consider because we are not only taking care of ourselves but we are taking care of our little ones and honestly, their little ones too. Our maternal health is about setting up a strong foundation for future generations, building gut health, supporting mental health, and keeping our nutrient stores full, These core ideas are not something that we have focused on as a society but that is now changing. Bringing these conversations to the forefront and letting women know their needs are valid, important and crucial to their own health and their family’s, allows us to find the right supports, address symptoms, find relief and grow in the maternal health field.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Heartfed is different than most maternal supports because of our core values when it comes to working with women. We know how challenging pregnancy and postpartum life can be, and we value encouragement in every phase of what we do. Sometimes, you just need someone in your corner telling you that you can do it.

Empowerment: We never want to gatekeep information that could help anyone because education is at the core of how we support others. It’s our goal to empower our community to have the autonomy to be their own advocates and health advisors.

Honesty: Trust is earned, and we think honesty is the most direct path to a mutually trustworthy relationship. When we know the answer, we are forthcoming, and when we don’t, we’ll point you in the right direction to someone who does.

Support: We believe that support truly meets people where they are, and doesn’t judge where that may be. Support is at the heart of what we do and can be emotional, practical, or educational.

Collaboration: We know we can’t be everything for our community, and we don’t want to be. It takes a team to feel your 100% best, and we revel in the partnership we’ve created with other certified professionals and our clients.

Nourishment: Nourishing our minds and bodies is critical for powering healthy pregnancies. We believe nutritional education should be abundant, accessible, and doable for all women experiencing pregnancy and postpartum.

Education: Knowledge is power and it’s our goal that more women have power over their own bodies and well-being. With a focus on education, we can build power within our communities and beyond so more women can obtain nutritional information for a healthier pregnancy and life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I was planning a to-do list for a trip to the bay area it would include a combination of outdoor play, food, and wine tasting(if desired). We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to drive to the redwoods, head to the beach, or walk through the vineyards on any given day. Some of my favorite hike recommendations would be Lands End Trail, Muir Woods, or Armstrong Redwoods. Of course, if you haven’t, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge or through Golden Gate Park and you can never go wrong driving out to Bodega Bay and hiking along the cliffs as well.

As far as food goes, eat everything! Really, I always encourage people to try new foods when they are in the Bay Area because there is such a diversity in what’s accessible. Some of our favorites are Ethiopian, Indian, and sushi. If you drive a little north of the city you can also hit our favorite Spanish and Italian spots in Wine Country; Bravas, Catellis, and Campo Fina. While you are up there you will always be driving distance from a local farmers market. We LOVE a Farmers Market and the community vibe some of the smaller towns have is straight out of a movie. Grab a coffee and some treats and enjoy a little picnic in the middle of town. Or, if you are here in the summer, many of the Farmers Markets turn into live music evenings as well, so bring your best dance moves.

For me, I feel the Bay Area and all that surrounds it, is really about being part of the community. Hit the local coffee shops, picnic in the park, participate in the events (parades, markets, street performers) and focus your time on being outside. I promise, if you’re anything like us, it will fill your heart.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Running your own business is never truly on your own. There is no business without the people who are supporting, mentoring, and encouraging you along the way. Building Heartfed we have been lucky enough to get supports from website building and naming to podcast interviews and community support. The support team we have built online with other birthworkers has helped keep the wheels turning with new content, outreach, and mental support. The community connections we make are always a good reminder of why we started Heartfed in the first place- focusing on supporting moms, supports families, which supports communities. The smallest things really can make the biggest change. I am forever grateful for the support of my husband, as starting this business while raising two little ones was not originally in our game plan. Shoutout to my friends and community who cheer us on, share our message with others, and build us up on tough days. THANK YOU!

Website: heart-fed.com

Instagram: @heart.fed

Other: https://forms.gle/7MG5UQGvv1djcP8q6

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.