Julia McConnell had been working in the surrogacy and egg donation field since college when she decided to start her own company. As Founder and CEO of Family Creations, LLC, she builds on her years of experience, providing a nurturing environment for all intended parents, gestational carriers and donors involved in the process. We loved hearing from Julia about the agency’s beginnings and the rewards of working with all kinds of intended parents, from high-profile clients to hopeful couples on a tighter budget. Read on to learn more about Family Creations, LLC, and for Julia’s advice on what to expect and the importance of support at every step of your journey.
A Family Creations family!
What inspired you to work in the fertility industry?
While I was in college, I began working as an administrative assistant for one of the first egg donor and surrogate agencies. I instantly fell in love with the work I was doing. I loved meeting our donors, surrogates, and parents and hearing their stories. I grew within the company I was working for, and after a few years I realized there was a lot I would like to change about how things were being done at that company. I felt strongly that all parties involved needed a more nurturing process. In 2006 I decided to start my own company, and from there Family Creations LLC. was born. It feels like my life’s work to provide responsible, ethical, and caring services for all parties involved.
We’d love to hear your story – can you share some highlights of the journey since opening in 2006?
Working in this field is so incredibly rewarding. I can remember Family Creations’ first donors, first surrogates, first pregnancies and first babies born; and to think those babies are now in high school! It’s truly amazing. It felt like such a risk to branch out on my own, but I have had so much support from fertility doctors and attorneys all the way through. Many of them feel like family to me now. Our team has grown so much. We have branches across the U.S. and provide our services to clients from all around the globe. Many of our team members have been with the company since the very beginning and have grown with me over the years. It’s been an honor to be trusted by some of the most high-profile clients you can imagine, but a real highlight for me is being able to structure program options that work for our hopeful parents who have a harder time gathering the financial resources needed for egg donation and surrogacy.
What has been your most rewarding experience personally over your years in this work?
Every baby born is exciting and celebrated by our entire team. It never gets old, in fact it feels more rewarding each and every time there is a baby born from our team’s efforts. Our work is not easy and definitely not for the faint of heart. Our entire team puts so much into every detail of everything we do so when there is a baby born we are all over the moon about it.
What is your advice for intended parents just beginning to consider surrogacy?
Surrogacy can be a bumpy road and you’ll want to be prepared for that. Even when everything goes perfectly in a surrogate journey, there will be moments of high stress and anxiety (just like with any pregnancy). I think it’s important to have a support system and have a plan for when things feel stressful, such as having a trusted person you can talk to about your feelings. Also, agency experience is everything. Do your research and work with an agency that has a lot of experience under their belts. Each day in this field I learn and grow and apply what I have learned to our process. This is only an evolution that can be had with time and case experience.
Founder and CEO Julia McConnell and the Family Creations Team
5. Is there anything else you’d like to share about Family Creations?
Our team is so proud of the work we have been doing for over 15 years! We focus on ethical practices, and we believe every case we have is meaningful and deserves the very best we can give. While we are known for managing some very high-profile cases, we truly pride ourselves in our programs that are accessible to clients on a budget and strive to help hopeful parents from all walks of life achieve their dream of family.
Family Creations’ main branch in Los Angeles
Thank you, Julia, your work and dedication to support your intended parents and each of their unique journeys, is inspiring!
Ready to start your search for a surrogacy agency? Learn more about Family Creations, LLC and many other wonderful options, here.