We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Cowdrey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.
Hi Danielle, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My life has been a series of twists and turns, much like many others. Growing up as the child of military parents, I moved around frequently, and by 18, I left home with minimal support. I joined the military as a woman, pursued multiple degrees, and ultimately ended up in an industry that wasn’t directly aligned with my education. Throughout it all, I’ve maintained a “take life by the horns” attitude. For me, it’s never been about whether I can accomplish something, but rather about figuring out the steps needed to make it happen. What has really built my resilience, though, is having to navigate life on my own, often in the face of doubt from others. In recent years, I’ve placed a stronger focus on staying positive, even during tough times, and prioritizing my mental health and self-care. This shift has been crucial in maintaining my drive while also preserving my well-being.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
This past year has been one of significant change. After leaving a job I held for 12 years, I launched two new ventures. At the start of 2024, I took up painting as a hobby and stress reliever—and quickly discovered I had a natural talent for it. This led me to open my own online art gallery. I’ve been fortunate to learn from talented artists along the way, and have since completed several commissions, sold multiple original works, and created prints and merchandise. In the spring, I entered an art competition at Oxford University, where two of my pieces were selected as “highly commended” and printed to raise funds for Ark-T, an organization that promotes mental health through creativity. I’m also currently preparing several pieces for submission to the 2025 London Art Biennale Exhibition. In addition to my art, I launched a leadership and strategy consulting business, which I’m in the process of growing. Looking back, my greatest achievement this year has been overcoming significant professional grief and transforming two of my passions into exciting new opportunities.
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?
If I had to identify three qualities that have been key to my success on this journey, I would say resilience, patience, and courage. These qualities are essential when diving into a new venture, and I believe that if you’re not at least a little scared, you’re probably not challenging yourself or dreaming big enough. At this point, we’ve all learned that life isn’t always easy, but it’s the things we put the most effort into that tend to be the most rewarding. My biggest piece of advice is that just starting is the biggest step. If you don’t start, you won’t get anywhere. Take risks, do what makes you thrive, and you will find a way to achieve your goals.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
My biggest challenge right now is focusing on growth—specifically, how to get my artwork in front of more people. I’m eager to connect with curators and collectors to expand my audience. My goal is to build a following of people who are excited about my work and eager to engage with what I’m creating next. This involves a lot of effort on social media, maintaining my website, and finding time to visit galleries. Ultimately, my dream is to have my art exhibited in prominent spaces and, eventually, to hold solo shows. I also aspire to open my own gallery, where I can showcase my work alongside that of other local artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://acdcart.com
- Instagram: ac.dcart
- Facebook: AC/DC Art
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-cowdrey-mba-pmp
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