We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dani Darmanin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dani, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I come from generations of hard-working women. Especially my mother. She was honest, generous, and solution oriented. She would roll up her sleeves in a heartbeat and get in the weeds. She was scrappy, cleaver and such a skilled problem solver. Most importantly she always so authentic and kind.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’ve always been a day dreamer, brainstormer, and creative thinker. I was raised in New York, by my mother; she was a solo parent with very little resources. My sister and I had to grow up fast, but we made sure we had a lot of fun while we were doing it.
Ever since I was young, I would spend hours dreaming of elaborate trips to faraway places, meeting all these interesting people, and working in a creative and fun environment. I knew at a young age I needed to love my career because I saw my mother struggle so much in her career as a bookkeeper. One that she fell into by default and convenience.
I spent so much time dreaming about this that when it was time to become independent, the path was super clear. I knew exactly what I wanted to do and that was hair. Once I got settled in the industry, my curiosity took flight and I quickly started to wear many hats in management, corporate education, and business development.
On the personal front, I am married to an amazing human that I have had the pleasure of sharing this life with for the past 12 years and have a sweet little 5-year-old that I am obsessed with. Literally!
My other baby is my financial education company called Bookkeeper’s Daughter. I am a certified financial educator. I help Gen X and Millennials prepare for their next season of life such as starting a family or preparing for retirement, optimize their financial achievements and career efforts. This is accomplished through becoming educated consumers and implementing tools to achieve financial wellness.
The programs I love to teach are ones based on financial psychology, behavioral economics, custodial account strategies, saving as new family, debt busting, and some other fun ones sprinkled in that are more product-based information when it comes to protection, retirement accounts, different annuities.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, Curiosity, Empathy, and Kindness are the Keys to Success
Curiosity: Curiosity is the spark that keeps creativity alive. It’s the ability to be fully present without anticipating outcomes. As a child, I was a prolific daydreamer, weaving elaborate plans and fantasies even in challenging times. This innate curiosity has shaped my approach, making me inherently solution oriented. Despite being advised to take things more seriously, I’ve found that curiosity drives innovation, sparks new ideas, and fosters meaningful connections. My advice: Stay curious, as it leads to endless possibilities and growth.
Empathy: Empathy forms the foundation of genuine connection. People crave acknowledgment and understanding. Often, we try to relate or fix, but true empathy lies in simply being present and holding space for others’ feelings and experiences. It’s about validating their importance without judgment. My suggestion for those starting their journey: Cultivate empathy by actively listening, seeking to understand, and showing genuine care for others. This skill will enrich your relationships and deepen your understanding of the human experience. This also goes for being yourself, being human, making mistakes, sharing them, and giving space to recover together.
Kindness: In our household, kindness is non-negotiable. It’s about honesty with oneself and others and maintaining integrity in words and actions. If something doesn’t align with your values or doesn’t feel right, you have the power to choose kindness. Reflecting on my journey, kindness has been my guiding principle, shaping how I interact with the world and leaving a positive impact wherever I go. To those embarking on their journey, I advise embracing kindness as a guiding light, knowing that every act of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity. Especially, the acts of kindness that we do for ourselves! Also, feeling good and making others feel good is fun. Who doesn’t want to have fun?
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I would say both. For myself, I thrive in positive environments and fostering them is a passion of mine. In times when I lean into the areas that need improvement, a supportive environment makes a world of difference. Learning and trying something new are my true loves. I can’t sit still and find myself seeking growth.
Additionally, there’s is something so beautiful and in sync when one is living and leading life from a place of strength and knowledge. It’s like a symphony where the conductor and the musicians are aligned. This life needs both we deserve to experience it all. I’m also a Libra so asking me to choose will be impossible.
Contact Info:
- Website:danidarmanin.com
- Instagram: @danidarmanin.cfei
- Linkedin: Dani Darmanin, CFEI
- Youtube: Coming soon 🙂
- Other:Tiktok @danidarmanin.cfei
Image Credits
Johanna Siring
