“I love to watch the ‘ah-ha’ moments of my clients as they understand their treatment, and gather the information to help them to make informed and educated decisions about their next steps.”
Since starting her career as an embryologist, Lucy Lines of Two Lines Fertility has long been passionate about helping people in their fertility journey. In fact, she spent years working in IVF labs and consulting in clinics throughout Europe and Australia. But over time, Lucy realised that she wanted to bring a personal touch to what she does – specifically as a fertility educator.
Now at Two Lines Fertility, Lucy focuses on providing independent IVF and fertility support and advocacy through access to specialists, online courses and programs, and one-on-one support. She has also authored a chapter in Achieving Parenthood about her own fertility journey, in addition to writing several helpful resources.
Lucy’s important work has resulted in being awarded the Fertility Educator of the Year during the Australian Enterprise Awards 2022. But her favourite part is seeing her clients empowered, in control of their fertility journey, and receiving the happy news of a pregnancy announcement.
In order to scale Two Lines Fertility and support even more clients, Lucy has joined the HerBusiness Network. She enjoys practising how to show up and speak up, all while making connections with the supportive community. And as she continues along this journey, Lucy is content to know that her work is making a true difference.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
Amanda Hodgson – I just love her down-to-earth-ness, realism combined with sparkly unicorn-ness :)
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I was sick and tired of patients being ‘lost’ in the very big business of Fertility Treatment. So much valuable information not being conveyed, such a rush to treatment without checking that the foundations of knowledge were solid.
A diagnosis of infertility is life-changing, I felt people should be allocated a Fertility Educator (much like diabetics are allocated a diabetes educator) to complement their treatment team and help them remain in the centre of the treatment.
I love to watch the ‘ah-ha’ moments of my clients as they understand their treatment, and gather the information to help them to make informed and educated decisions about their next steps.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
Getting emails and phone calls with pregnancy announcements, phone calls from maternity suites with baby noises in the background, watching my clients feel the clarity and the power of knowledge.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- This won’t happen overnight
- Social media is WHERE IT’S AT!
- Don’t be afraid of the voice in your head asking you ‘who do you think you ARE!??’
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Make sure you are doing something you are passionate about, not just something you think will make you money. You are going to be living, eating, sleeping and BREATHING this business, so make sure it’s something you could talk about underwater with a mouth full of marbles!
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Social media
- Networking and building relationships
- Presenting and speaking
- Numbers (bookkeeping)
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
Supporting more people than I currently have time for
Providing enough income for my husband to retire within the next 5 years
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Networking! I’m not quite sure what else yet as I have only just joined – but I’m showing up and speaking out :)
