An Inspired Chat with Dani Regan of Melbourne Australia.

Dani Regan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Dani, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that’s been bringing me constant joy—truly, not just lately but always—is my trio of dogs: Bentley, Boris, and Boston. They’re each full of personality, and being around them brings this steady sense of love, humor, and comfort that’s just part of my everyday life. It’s not a fleeting joy, it’s more like a beautiful constant and very grounding.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dani Regan – founder and designer at Danibydsgn.

I used to work a corporate 9-to-5 in Melbourne, Australia.
One afternoon in June 2020, during lockdown in one of the most locked-down cities in the world, I hit a wall of boredom. I downloaded TikTok and started doodling overlapping letters—purely for entertainment. I didn’t expect anything to come from it, but a few hours later, my phone blew up with people asking for their own custom designs. I was honestly shocked. That spontaneous moment turned into something much bigger, and now, five years later, it’s still going strong.

What makes Danibydsgn unique is that every design is hand-drawn by me, with the purpose of telling someone’s personal story—whether it’s names, dates, initials, or meaningful phrases. There’s no template. Each design is one-of-a-kind, made with intention, and often holds meaning only the client truly understands.

While a lot of people get their designs tattooed, others have turned them into wall art, logos, embroidery, uniform branding, engraved jewelry—you name it. I love how creative my clients get with them. To the outside world, it might just look like delicate, minimal linework, but for the person who owns it, it’s deeply symbolic.

Within two years, what started in my living room became a six-figure business with a global client base. I taught myself everything from building a website to engraving jewelry and packaging orders—all while still working full-time, until I couldn’t juggle both anymore. It wasn’t luck. I worked hard. But I also love what I do, and I’m grateful every single day that this is my job.

Even now, I’m the one drawing every design, replying to messages at 2 a.m., and getting that same buzz whenever someone sends a photo of their tattoo or pendant. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s personal.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I don’t know if there was one single moment—but looking back, I think the power came from how I was raised. From a young age, I was taught that I could be and do whatever I wanted. There was never a sense of limitation. My sister and I were encouraged to try everything—sports, art, dancing, whatever sparked our interest—and to back ourselves while doing it.

Basketball became our main focus, and that gave me a strong sense of discipline and confidence. I loved being part of a team, but also pushing myself to improve. Later on, I studied psychology at uni and took a part-time graphic design course just because I was curious. I’ve always had broad interests and never felt like I had to choose just one thing.

So I guess that feeling of power wasn’t about dominance or control—it was more about knowing I had permission to explore, to try, to fail, and to go after what I loved.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For a long time, I think I was afraid of putting myself out there, being seen trying and failing—of getting it wrong publicly. I’ve always had a drive to try new things, but there was a time when I’d quietly pull back if I thought people might judge me and the outcome. It wasn’t about lacking belief in myself—it was more about not wanting to look silly or foolish. I’ve had to unlearn that. The truth is, everything worthwhile I’ve ever done started with not knowing what I was doing, and showing up anyway.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Very much so. What you see online or through my work is genuinely me. I don’t put on a curated version or a polished brand persona—I don’t have the energy for that, to be honest. I’m the same person whether I’m talking to a client, posting on socials, or replying to DMs at 2 a.m. I don’t try to present as perfect, and I don’t pretend to have it all figured out.

I think people can feel when something’s real, and that’s always mattered more to me than looking like I’ve got it all together. If anything, the public version of me might be slightly more filtered just because of the platforms—but the tone, the values, the sense of humour, the passion? That’s all me.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I started out doing what I was told to do—or at least what I thought I was supposed to do. I got good grades in high school, spent four years at uni, and landed a highly sought-after graduate role in a top company. I worked my way up quickly and had a successful, senior-level career while still in my twenties. On paper, it looked like I’d made it—the kind of job that ticks every box. And for a while, it felt like the right path.

But deep down, it never really lit me up.

What I’m doing now with Danibydsgn feels completely different. It’s what I was born to do. It started as a side project, almost by accident, but quickly became something I couldn’t ignore. I still find it a little ironic that the one-year graphic design course I did on the side is now the foundation of my actual career—and my passion.

I think the version of success we’re taught doesn’t always line up with the version that actually makes us feel alive. For me, Danibydsgn is the thing that makes me feel most like myself. And that’s the difference.

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