Business Geared Up For Pregnancy and Postpartum Exercise

For three years there has been a unique service operating Moose Jaw.

Orange Door Collective Wellness “is an inclusive platform for expecting mothers and postpartum mothers as well,” operator Kate Bookout says about her business that has operated for three years.

The business started after Bookout gave birth and discovered at the time there was no postpartum exercise programs available in Moose Jaw.

The business offers exercise for group postpartum classes, mom and baby classes in person. There is also exercise classes for new moms and there is also individualized training on a one to one basis.

“I had our daughter three years ago this May and after having her I realized we don’t have any postpartum or pregnancy support here in Moose Jaw.”

Finding no programs available in the city Bookout saw it as an opportunity to put her skills to work.

“I am also a new mom myself and my background in health and wellness has been over 10 years. I’m a graduated bachelor of kinesiology from the University of Regina,” she what skills drove her to start a business to fill a local service gap for pregnant and postpartum mothers.

After having her daughter Bookout said she continued her studies going on to be a certified pregnancy and postpartum corrective exercise specialist.

“Kind of build that community so we have those services available for other moms here.”

Bookout said she took a four kinesiology degree in the sport’s route but it didn’t turn out that way.

“Low and behold I decided I wanted to have a more specialized focus on pregnancy and postpartum.”

Asked about demand for her services she said “it’s definitely in demand because there is no one else offering this in Moose Jaw.”

“I provide a unique service and I’ve kind of been at this, this will be year three now, and I found when I originally started in the summer about three years ago…you ever since then it just keeps growing.”

She said she has had mothers who were there during their pregnancies who are now coming back for second and even third babies.

“There is a demand for it. We are always having babies in our community and like I said nobody else is doing this,” Bookout said.

The Collective is inclusive to a variety of activity levels whether beginner, intermediate or advanced.

Additionally the program is inclusive of babies of different abilities. She said her working previously with people of different abilities at Moose Jaw Families For Change her program is also geared to children of varying abilities.

She said the big thing was for her build the community and keep educating people.

“Really my biggest thing is I really want to provide a community for moms to come to and can feel included and feel supported,” she said.

“I’ve tried to keep on educating people and getting the word out. I think this year so far in 2024, the past six months, I’ve really seen more people that I haven’t networked with before.”

Bookout said she thought that her service was one “many people not know about being available until they went out looking for it.”

The first session at the start was eight to ten moms. But it’s been as high as 16 moms.

She said the numbers ebb and flow as women require the services.

The business has largely grown by word of mouth or social media.

“It’s lots of word of mouth. Through other moms. And some of our local doctor’s offices have been kind enough to take some of my printed resource, booklets and pamphlets.”

Asked about how well the business has been she points to the numbers already using the service.

“I think I’ve been doing well. But there is always room for improvement (with any business) so it’s on my end on how I communicate my message to people,” Bookout said. “I can always keep doing bigger and better things.”

“All you can do as a business owner keep hoping for growth. Keep working hard and keep working forward.”

In the summer the exercise is done outside. The program moves outdoors until the end of August.

Through Fall and the Winter months the program moves indoors using down times at the Light Yoga and Wholeness Studio.

It’s a relationship that she says benefits, both firms.

Her firm has access to indoor facilities during the winter and the yoga studio rents out time when they are not using the facility.

“It’s another group of individuals coming into a space and I’m sure there are other moms who utilized their services to.”

She may be located through her Facebook page Orange Door Collective and Wellness page.