10 for TEN: Serena Rosa ’11

By Serena Rosa ’11

After having her baby, Serena Rosa ’11 started to look at healthcare with a different perspective. Realizing the lack of support provided to women after birth, she created The Postpartum Doctor, a space where postpartum mothers can receive the care they need to flourish alongside their babies. 

What is your Fearless Idea? 

You can create success and wealth with ease, and the universe will always guide you if you are in a high vibration. Growing up, my father modeled that more work equals more success. When I became a mother, I started looking at time differently. I now realize that impact is more important than time. The universe is on your side when you are making an impact.

Describe your venture's mission and why you launched it in 100 words or less. 

My mission is to create an inclusive and supportive space that consistently reminds postpartum families that they get to live in ease! I have spent the last two years researching ways to bring mindfulness practices into medicine. Once I started practicing these strategies myself I saw leaps in my life. In a few months, I manifested starting a business, my dream wedding and purchasing a home. Most importantly, I learned how to exist in a state of calmness and enjoy every part of motherhood. My work combines the medical and spiritual support needed in the postpartum period.

How do you define success or determine the impact of your venture? 

Every one of my clients' breakthrough moments that changes their life is my success. I used to think the best measure of success was how many people/clients I saw. This only leads to burnout since I can’t be accessible to everyone all of the time. Now, I realize that each breakthrough with a client leads them to be a better mother/partner/employee, which leads to them impacting their community. Now, depth is more important when it comes to looking at my impact.

What is the biggest problem or challenge you have had to overcome with your venture? 

My biggest limiting belief was uncertainty — who am I to show up for this? Despite having many degrees and being qualified for my position, this doubt continues to come up. On social media and in the real world, people are often confused with trends, fads and misinformation. This has led people to question my business model. I decided that I needed to either continue to hide my gifts or get uncomfortable and share. I had to redefine those limiting beliefs for myself.

What is the best piece of advice you've received? 

When you are planning, you are taking no action. This advice comes from my spirituality/entrepreneurship mentor. For the first year of my entrepreneurship journey, I did nothing but plan. I never hit submit or gathered followers. Running a business is different from working on a project for school where you have lots of time to revise before you turn in a final project. Now, I rarely plan my content in advance. Instead, I’m adaptive to the climate and needs of my business.

What is one piece of advice you want to give to fellow Terps about launching a venture? 

Your biggest obstacle is the best thing to launch a venture around. Everything I teach is because I need to learn it deeper in my life. Many people, when looking to start a business, ask themselves “What do I know?” I suggest asking the opposite question of “What am I struggling with?” As a doctor, I was helping my clients, but once I became a mother and saw the struggles and challenges that came with it, I realized that this was an area that I could learn from and then turn around and help others. 

What is one book you're reading or a podcast you're listening to right now? 

“Super Soul Sunday,” a podcast by Oprah featuring spiritual leaders and authors. 

“Where Should We Begin,” a podcast by Esther Perel. Perel publishes eal therapy sessions recorded with her client’s permission.

What is your favorite alumni event or experience? 

Homecoming. My brother is nine years younger than me, so while we were never in the same grade growing up, we are both Terps and have that shared experience. In 2019, my brother was a junior and I had the opportunity to spend Homecoming at UMD with him. I enjoyed seeing both how the university has changed and stayed the same.

As a student, what was one of your favorite memories or spots on campus? 

My favorite memories are the nights spent laughing with friends I met at UMD who are still my deepest and closest friends today.