We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dani Murphy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dani, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Wow! Finding your purpose is such a big question—and honestly, it’s something I wrestled with for most of my adult life. I was raised in an agricultural family where hard work, self-reliance, and community were a way of life, though I didn’t fully appreciate those roots until much later. As a single mom raising my girls while building a career, it was often hard to see a clear path forward. But I always knew I wanted to do something meaningful, something that made a difference.
Early in my career, when I was working as an assistant Chamber director, I was asked during an interview, ‘Where do you see yourself in 10 years?’ At the time, all I could say was that I wanted to find the good in the world and bring it to light. That answer stuck with me. And, over the next 12 years, I found myself drawn to roles that allowed me to connect people and build community—whether it was through event planning, community coordination, or corporate retail, where I honed my networking and marketing skills. I also served on boards and committees focused on community betterment and historical preservation, which gave me a deeper appreciation for where we’ve come from and the importance of preserving it.
Looking back now, I can see how all of those experiences were pieces of a bigger puzzle. Today, through my own business, Preppin Mama, I feel like I’m living my purpose. We’re not just preserving food—we’re preserving a way of life. We’re connecting local homesteaders, farmers, and makers. We’re building a space where people can come to learn skills that have been lost in just a couple of generations—skills that foster self-sufficiency, resilience, and community strength. It’s incredibly rewarding to see it all come full circle.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At my core, I’m a connector, a preserver, and a builder—whether that’s preserving food, connecting people, or helping build a stronger, more self-reliant community. Preppin Mama is the culmination of a lifetime of experiences that all seem to have led to this moment. I was raised in a multigenerational agricultural family, where hard work, resourcefulness, and taking care of your neighbors was just a way of life. Those values stuck with me, even as I navigated single motherhood, built a career in community development, and worked in corporate retail. But I always knew I wanted to get back to my roots—and help others do the same.
Preppin Mama really started around our family table. I was making and preserving food for my own family, wanting to create a sense of security and self-reliance in our home. It didn’t take long to realize there was a deep desire—and a real need—for those same skills in many other homes. People were hungry to reconnect with the knowledge that had been lost in just a couple of generations, and they were craving community along the way. That’s where the vision for Preppin Mama truly came to life.
What began as sharing food preservation techniques with friends and neighbors has grown into something much bigger. Preppin Mama is about reviving the skills and traditions that help families feel empowered, prepared, and connected. Whether it’s food preservation, gardening, herbal remedies, or old-world trades, we’re bringing people together to learn, share, and build a more resilient way of life.
Right now, we’re incredibly excited about the opening of our storefront in Mount Pleasant. It’s not just a store—it’s a hub. We’ll feature a retail space highlighting the work of local homesteaders, farmers, and makers, along with a classroom where we’ll offer hands-on workshops in canning, fermenting, soap making, foraging, and more. We’re also creating a museum-style space to display vintage tools and goods that honor the wisdom and craftsmanship of the generations before us.
Preppin Mama isn’t just a business—it’s a movement to reclaim knowledge, restore confidence in self-sufficiency, and rebuild community ties. Our mission is to help others find the tools, skills, and support they need to live a more intentional, sustainable life. And we’re just getting started.
We have some exciting events and workshops launching soon, so stay tuned! We can’t wait to welcome folks into the store, share what we’ve been working on, and grow this community together.
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?
Looking back, three qualities stand out as the most impactful in my journey: resilience, community-building, and a willingness to keep learning.
First, resilience. Life doesn’t always follow a straight path—mine certainly didn’t. Raising my daughters on my own while balancing work and building a future was tough. There were plenty of moments when things felt uncertain or overwhelming. But resilience kept me moving forward. It’s about staying grounded in your purpose, even when the road gets hard. My advice for anyone starting out is to embrace the challenges as part of the process. You’ll grow stronger with every obstacle you work through. Keep showing up, even on the hard days.
Second, the power of community-building. No matter what you’re doing—whether it’s running a business, raising a family, or growing a garden—people need people. I found the most fulfillment in connecting with others, bringing people together, and filling needs I saw around me. Those connections have opened doors, created opportunities, and made the journey so much richer. My advice? Don’t try to go it alone. Build real relationships, support others, and ask for help when you need it. You’ll be amazed how far a strong community can take you.
And third, an ongoing willingness to learn. I didn’t know everything when I started—honestly, I still don’t! But I’ve always been hungry to learn new skills, whether it was food preservation, marketing, or how to run a storefront. Staying curious and open to new knowledge has made all the difference. My advice is simple: stay teachable. Find mentors, take classes, read, and be willing to fail forward. Every bit of knowledge you gain becomes a tool you can use later.
If you focus on being resilient, building a strong community, and always learning, you’ll be amazed where your journey can lead. It’s not always easy—but it’s always worth it.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
One of the biggest challenges we’re currently facing is building our storefront from the ground up—completely grassroots and cash on the barrel. We made the decision early on to grow Preppin Mama debt-free, which means we’re moving at the speed of cash. Every fixture, every display, every piece of flooring and paint is being carefully chosen, often installed by our own hands or with the help of family and friends. It’s incredibly rewarding, but it’s also a test of patience and perseverance.
When you build something this way, you learn to get creative, to prioritize, and to appreciate every small step forward. We’re balancing the excitement of opening with the reality that it’s a slow, intentional process—but we believe in laying a strong foundation, not just for the physical space, but for the future of our business and community.
The advice I’d offer to anyone facing a similar challenge is this: trust the process. It’s easy to look around and feel like you should be moving faster, but there’s value in building something solid, piece by piece. And when you do it alongside your community—with people who believe in your vision—it makes every accomplishment that much sweeter. We remind ourselves daily that this isn’t just about opening a store; it’s about creating something meaningful and lasting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://preppinmama.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepreppinmama/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePreppinMama/
Image Credits
Cedar + Bloom Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
