Manpreet Khaira, a mum of three from the North East, has turned her passion for motherhood into a full-time business called Mind and Birth. The new doula and hypnobirthing service offers guidance, education, and compassionate support for expectant and new parents.
Khaira decided to start her own venture after the birth of her second daughter, Ayla, which she said revealed the lack of support for women and families during one of life's most transformative experiences. Previously a corporate buyer, she became a full-time mother before qualifying as a doula and hypnobirthing practitioner.
Support from the BIC
Feeling daunted by the prospect of being her own boss, Khaira sought advice from experts at the North East BIC in Sunderland. She said: “Being a mum of three with minimal support, I know how physically and emotionally challenging it is to survive it. Sadly, there is not much support for women outside of their brief antenatal appointments with their midwives before baby arrives. Through my business, I want to help restore that sense of support and empowerment, so women - and their families - can enjoy this special chapter in their lives.”
She added: “The BIC has been brilliant in supporting me as I set up my business. In the beginning, the process felt quite overwhelming and I wasn’t always sure where to start, but the support I’ve received has helped me break things down into small but important steps in the right direction.”
Services offered
Mind and Birth supports families at any stage, with pre and postnatal care, a full hypnobirthing course, and a postnatal doula service combining emotional support with practical home help. Services are also available virtually, allowing Khaira to reach clients across different locations. She provides postnatal check-ins for reassurance and guidance during the early newborn days.
Khaira describes her business as a 'village of support' and runs fortnightly hypnobirthing 'power hour' sessions in Washington, where small groups of couples learn together, ask questions, and connect with other parents-to-be. A grant from the BIC helped her invest in equipment such as yoga mats and birth balls for these sessions.
Adviser and council support
Hina Joshi, business adviser at the BIC, said: “Manpreet came to us with a clear idea of what she wanted to achieve and has fully engaged with the support available. She has built a small but loyal customer base and shown real commitment to developing a business that makes a meaningful difference. I can see Mind and Birth becoming a really trusted source of support for women and families across the region.”
The startup support came from the Enterprising Sunderland project, originally available until March 2026 as part of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme, managed by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership. Funding to continue Enterprising Sunderland until the end of 2026 has been secured through Sunderland’s Business Support Programme, funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
Coun James Jackson, portfolio holder for housing, business and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see programmes like Enterprising Sunderland, which help local people take their first steps into business, giving people the confidence and support required to set up and grow their own businesses. Our small and medium-sized businesses make a huge contribution to our local economy and initiatives like this are key to ensuring Sunderland continues to build a strong reputation as a place where businesses can start up, develop and thrive.”
