We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Bryant. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.
Danielle , we sincerely appreciate you joining us today and agreeing to talk about some very personal topics. So, to kick things off, let’s talk about a tough one – divorce. Can you talk to us about how you overcame divorce?
I was hit with an unexpected divorce that I did not see coming. I did not want my marriage to fail because going through the divorce was very difficult. For a year I went through the stages of my divorce. I went to counseling, where I learned more about myself, and this was the first step of overcoming my divorce. While attending counseling sessions, I began listening to and attending sermons from the House of Hope Church. The sermons preached by the pastor of this church appeared to be aimed directly at me. At this time, I began getting closer to God. As I became closer with God, I was empowered to stop waddling in the depression. I have children to live for and they look up to me. This experience led me to reciting affirmations, taking daily walks, and doing things that I enjoy. I revamped my business. When I became empowered, my life shifted.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a mother, an elementary school teacher, and an entrepreneur. I have a passion for helping others, teaching children and inspiring people to do anything to which they put their mind. Three years since my divorce, I began focusing more on the priorities to what is most important in the lives of my three children and myself. Life has presented an opportunity for me to focus on my careers full throttle. Within these three years I have accomplished a lot. Many people tell me they do not see how I did it, they would have folded if they were I. Being a single mother of three, work on a fulltime job, manage my business endeavor and attend classes at the university where I am working towards a master’s degree in education. My hard work seemed to pay off. At the university I was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and at my job I was appointed to serve on the Early Learning Advisory Council. It is my goal to make a difference in the lives of children while remaining a team player with my colleagues. I also enjoy creating activities to enhance my students to learn, to engage with them and to watch their eagerness in them to learn. I look forward to my second year of teaching in the Atlanta Public Schools with the goal of continuing achievement that’s set for my students. In my business endeavor, I sell fashionable jewelry for women and men. The name of my business is Dainty Jewels by Danielle LLC. I enjoy accessorizing women with jewelry to aid them in looking fabulous. Wearing fashionable jewelry tend to bring out the beauty in my customers and they tend to demonstrate confidence in their appearance and in their demeanor. I attended Cornell University to gain more knowledge about entrepreneurship and received a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship. The thought of continuing to build my business and the possibility opening a storefront excites me. I am looking forward to my business blossoming!
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?
Three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are perseverance, confidence, and optimism. Fear and confidence once kept me from taking risks and pushing myself. I had and still have a lot of goals to accomplish, therefore I changed my mindset, believed in myself, and stopped giving up. Where I am today and who I am becoming today are a tribute to these. My advice to others would be, no matter what you are going through, you can still win. You are going to go through some storms and storms are there to make you stronger. Some storms are a blessing in disguise. Keep going. No matter what you do, no matter how many times life throws things your way or you mess up and think to your yourself, that there is no point to carry on. It does not matter how many people tell you that you cannot do it, my advice is keep going, and never quit. You never realize how strong you are, until you look back at everything, you have overcome. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7 When I am feeling overwhelmed, I go to God and pray. I tell myself to take it one day at a time, speak affirmations and be grateful for the things I have. When you take things one day at a time, you feel balanced and able to manage things better. I also like to listen to music, such as gospel or jazz. I am a person who likes to do everything on my own, but I have learned that it is okay to ask for help. Asking others for help minimizes burnout for the feeling of being overwhelmed. Taking breaks is a good strategy to reduce feeling overwhelmed. It is important to listen to our bodies and take time to rest and relax. This year I have learned the importance of self-care. When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” -Henry Ford
Contact Info:
- Website: www.daintyjewelsbydanielle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daintyjewelsbydanielle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daintyjewelsbydaniellellc
