Brandi Gowder (she/her)

Brandi Gowder is a birth worker and owner of Smiley Bee Love. She is Certified with the National Black Doula Association and trained in Fertility, Birth, and Postpartum birth work. She also does placenta encapsulation! Before she began her business in trusted birth and postpartum support work, she was once a newly pregnant soon-to-bemother with questions herself. After birthing three beautiful beings and experiencing traumatic experiences in a hospital setting, she realized the undoubted need of more nurturing support for expecting birthing parents.

Brandi offers a safe space with meditation and positive vibes so the Birthing Parent can talk, feel understood, and be heard in a “No Judgement Zone”. The goal is to make sure the Birthing Parent and Baby are safe. She provides information and resources to not only the Birthing Parent, but to whoever their support system is so they can be knowledgeable on how they can make the Birthing Parent feel supported through this amazing experience. When you become a Client, you become a Friend; Brandi loves on you and has got your back! Brandi goes the extra mile to blend her education with an earnest devotion to creating the most comfortable and seamless birthing experiences possible. She advocates for women of color when they are ignored, and she is a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves.

Smiley Bee Love offers Peace, Love, Support and Understanding. Brandi is committed to helping families from all walks of life. Smiley Bee Love do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or income. She works with the LGBTQ community, VBAC Births, Individuals of all races and religion, Birthing Parents that are considered high risk, Birth Parents with disabilities and low-income families. Brandi works in hospital, birth center and home birth settings in the Chicago and surrounding areas of Illinois and Indiana.

In her own words:
“I was given a mission to make birthing options accessible for our community, and I’m not stopping until my mission is complete. Smiley Bee Love offers a safe space for all birthing parents to feel supported when giving birth.”

What clients say:
“Brandi wants to help people and has a passion for babies and equity of care. She is very open, likes to meet people, and is very good connecting w others to help them feel at ease and comfortable to talk.” Kimberly S.

“B is knowledgeable and extremely dedicated to what she is doing. she take the time to get to know her clients, who they are and what they want. She is always taking classes, networking, broadening resources. She is the levelheaded rock and takes that responsibility seriously. If Brandi is on your team, you are getting an awesome team” Auriel G.