Meet Dana West-Abutbol

We were lucky to catch up with Dana West-Abutbol recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dana, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Because I always have.

I was adopted as an infant—half Japanese, half Polish—and raised in a world where no one around me looked quite like I did. I was born in 1962, and growing up mixed-race back then wasn’t just different—it was a journey filled with stares, questions, and sometimes, silence. But my father gave me the greatest gift of all: belief. From the moment I was old enough to understand, he told me I was the most beautiful little girl in the world. So instead of wondering if I belonged, I walked into every room like I did.

Being different wasn’t just normal for me—it became my superpower. Whether I was pitching an idea, telling my story, or walking into an audition, I didn’t wait for permission. I owned the space. At 17, I wanted to be a model. When one of the top agencies in Los Angeles barely looked at my portfolio, I went home crushed. I asked my dad, “They didn’t like me. But you said I was the most beautiful girl in the world.” He looked at me with love and said, “You are—to me.” And from that moment, I turned disappointment into determination. Within a month, I was signed with a major agency and had a contract to model in Japan. I never looked back.

Now, as Vice President of Milano Kitchen and Bath, and as a mother, wife, grandmother, author, and entrepreneur, I still walk into every room with that same fire—because I’ve earned it. I don’t just love success—I need success. Not for the spotlight, but because it makes me strong enough to give to others. To lead my team. To inspire my children. To show my granddaughters what it looks like to rise.

So yes—I may be the only one in the room who looks like me, but that’s exactly why I belong in that room. I bring the story, the grit, and the light no one else can.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Milano Kitchen and Bath is not just a business—it’s a family legacy built with heart, craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of what home really means. My husband Jack, my eldest son Nicholas, and I moved to Myrtle Beach just four years ago, recognizing that this beautiful coastal city was becoming the next great destination for high-end homeowners, particularly those relocating from New York and New Jersey. Myrtle Beach today feels like what Miami was 20 years ago—on the rise, vibrant, and full of opportunity. We knew it was time to bring something elevated and extraordinary to the market.

At Milano, we specialize in luxurious European kitchens and bathrooms that are not only functional but artistic. Our premiere cabinet line is exclusive to Milano in both North and South Carolina, giving us a distinctive edge and a look that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in this region. Jack and Nicholas bring unmatched construction expertise and European design finesse that this “small town” hadn’t seen before. And while they are the technical wizards behind the scenes, my focus is on branding, marketing, and the client experience—something I treat as an art form.

But what truly sets us apart is how we combine design and culinary joy. As the author of the Cooking with Milano cookbook series and host of The Milano Cooking Show (airing weekly on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook), I’ve created a bridge between the kitchen as a space and the kitchen as a lifestyle. After every remodel, we don’t just leave behind a beautiful room—we return with our cameras to celebrate the heart of the home. Our clients prepare their favorite dish in their new Milano kitchen, and I personally interview them as part of a featured segment. Their recipe may even appear in the next edition of the Milano Cookbook. It’s an emotional, joyful experience that connects food, family, and forever memories.

Each client also receives a curated basket of gourmet goodies, along with a signed copy of our cookbook. Because a bottle of wine might disappear—but a beautiful cookbook, filled with meaning, stories, and flavor, will stay in a family for generations.

Professionally, I’m proud to say we are growing fast. We’re expanding our media presence, creating a new showroom experience, and constantly evolving to stay ahead of design trends while keeping the heart of what we do deeply personal.

Of course, at the center of everything I do is family. My children and grandchildren are my true north, and the reason I work so hard. My life is full—I’m a business owner, chef, marketing creative, former model and actor, and above all, a wife and mother. I adore the ocean, love to travel, and I’m endlessly grateful. Life really is grand—and I know how lucky I am.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

For me, the most impactful qualities that shaped my life and career have been:

1. Resilience
2. Vision
3. Deep devotion to family

Being adopted as an infant and growing up half-Japanese and half-Polish in a time when “different” wasn’t always embraced could have made me shrink. Instead, I grew stronger. My father always told me I was the most beautiful little girl in the world, and I believed him. That gave me the resilience to walk into rooms where no one looked like me and still own the space with confidence. I learned that your story—especially the hard parts—can become your superpower.

The second, vision, was about believing in possibility. At 17, when a top modeling agency initially rejected me, I didn’t accept that as the end of the story. I kept going. Within a month, I signed a contract with a top agency and was on my way to model in Japan. I’ve brought that same determination and creative foresight into everything—from my acting career to building the Milano Kitchen and Bath brand and launching the Cooking with Milano cookbook and show.

And finally, none of it would matter without family. My success isn’t just mine—it’s shared with my husband Jack, our children, and now our grandchildren. I believe that success means lifting others as you climb. That’s why every kitchen we complete is more than a renovation—it’s about helping families make memories.

My advice for anyone early in their journey:

Know that challenge is not your enemy—it’s your training ground.

Never lose your sense of why—especially when it gets hard.

And always stay grounded in the people and values that make life worth living.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

Honestly, I would continue doing what I’m doing—because I truly love my life. I’ve built a business I believe in, created a platform to share my passion for design and cooking, and I’ve surrounded myself with people I love. That said, I would likely work a little less and spend even more intentional time with my children and grandchildren.

Family is everything to me. Watching my grandchildren grow, sharing traditions, cooking meals together, and just being present in their lives—that’s where the deepest joy lives. I’d travel more with my husband, laugh more, and continue to pour love into both my work and my family. I don’t take a single moment for granted, and if I had only ten years left, I’d spend them savoring every single day—with purpose, passion, and the people I love most.

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