We were lucky to catch up with Danielle Sutton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Danielle, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
That saying “ignorance is bliss” has accompanied some initial, presumptuous thoughts as to why I am such an optimistic person. Introverted, homeschooled through the teen years, uncomfortable in the limelight, goofy, love of laughter, just an overall average person that can easily blend in with the crowd…”Danielle’s on her little, fluffy cloud again.” And I certainly am! It’s peaceful there…less worrisome…a safe harbor. Netflix’s “Matilda the Musical” gave a literal picture of this precious space to me in the scene “Quiet”. While it’s beautiful and ideal to soar above all the noise, that does not mean that I am impervious, blind, or ignorant to the problems or issues “below”. The reality is, I actively CHOOSE to be hopeful and WORK toward a positive outcome. Every problem has a solution. Are we willing to work, compromise, and/or sacrifice to obtain a solution? Then, maintain a joyous, kind demeanor while doing so? It’s a challenge! The “fluffy cloud” is the perfect vehicle to hop aboard and push forward because, the majority of the time, the only way to get through something is to go through it. And let me tell you, life puts you through it! For me, it has been a timeline of anxiety, achievement, marriage, moving away from family, gaining more family, teaching career, children, making friends as an adult, career changes, miscarriages, stay-at-home motherhood, homeschooling, potential blindness before 40, and more. For every adverse moment, I had to seek out and give thanks for the season of abundant joy and goodness that lined the clouds.
Now, I do not have much confidence in myself that the solutions I come up with will be the best options or that I am even capable of coming up with answers and getting through some of the most heartbreaking, grief-stricken times, though ones close to me can attest to my determination, persistence, and feistiness to accomplish anything I possibly can for others. To put it simply, my full confidence, hope, and joy lies solely in my Savior, and I cannot fully express the complete freedom of living in this truth. I can only control so much on my own, there are no illusions or complete dependence on imperfect people, or justifiable explanations in a broken world, but only grace upon grace upon grace…and praise the Lord for that!
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” -Psalms 28:7
For this reason, I see unending opportunities to be pushed beyond my comfort zone, grow in strength and character, and serve others. My circumstances can pale in comparison to another’s. While comparison is certainly a thief of joy, in this instance, I use it to make me consider the bigger picture, think beyond myself, and not get stuck in the “why me” pity party. While those moments can be warranted, it’s not where I want to remain. My joy is not dependent on my circumstances. I will work to count it ALL joy for I am undeservedly blessed.
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?
Born and raised in Southeast Texas, I graduated from Lamar University, married downtown in the church I grew up, and moved to West Texas with my husband in 2008 to put my teaching degree to work. In 2016, our little family made our way back to where it all started, Beaumont. Now, as a partially homeschooling mother of three, I have taken the time to rediscover and introduce my family to my hometown and look for more ways to serve this wonderful community. Enter Blessed Moms of SETX, and now 409family.com, where I am connecting with an incredible group of local women and their families and actively striving to help families root, grow, and bloom in the 409. My greatest hope is for families to not just survive, but THRIVE. “See a need. Meet a need.” is a beautiful mantra that drives me to love others well and see beyond our day-to-day. I envision 409family.com as filling many needs from easily and efficiently identifying necessary local resources; assisting in improving quality of life through better understanding and knowledge of city amenities, businesses, and events; offering reliable recommendations and information, especially to those new to the area; to partnering with and supporting our local organizations, non-profits, businesses, and more. I am constantly inspired by our local community and hope to shine a light on how amazing, strong, hardworking, welcoming, fun, and engaging our Southeast Texas community truly can be…together!
The icing on the cake for me has been getting to create all that 409family.com has encompassed and accomplished in one short year with my best friend, JoAnna Truncali. The brilliance and blessing of this exciting Co-Founder & Creative Director is beyond my finite, insufficient words yet is clearly seen through our brand and content. From the launch in April 2022 to now, I think we have surprised even ourselves.
409 Family has also given us the platform to involve our children in the adventure. Through them, I hope a precedent is built where they take pride in their community, know that they are never too young to make a difference, and that they see their value. For this to also resonate with our Southeast Texas community would absolutely make my heart soar. 409 Family has never been about just me & Jo, but every person who finds themself in the 409. Each person is someone’s mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, son, daughter, cousin, etc. There’s something for everyone and there’s a place for you in the 409 Family.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) Perseverance As one who does not harbor a lot of confidence in myself, I rely a lot on perseverance. Being the oldest of four, I am use to trial and error as my main method of learning. I am not afraid of failure, only irritated when I repeat the same mistakes. When you have a love of learning, I think perseverance can amplify that into building a humble character who simply enjoys living and working at accomplishing goals and vision.
2) Authenticity
For others to have the full confidence that you are genuine, trusted, and dependable is the most honoring compliment. I count it an absolute privilege that others take the time to share their perspective, seek out my advice, or confide in me. Securing trust should be treasured and guarded. Be real, be gentle, be kind.
3) Contentment
Realistic optimism…I will look on the bright side while fully knowing, understanding, and facing what is right in front of me. Stand firm, go through it, and count it all joy. My husband enjoys this quote from Harry Potter, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I never would have thought I would be bold enough to start a business, let alone interview with newspapers, podcasts, television and radio stations, create an entire “409 Day” that is now firmly established through city proclamations, or aquest to public speaking at events (if you know me, this is all stuff of my nightmares lol). Even as a teacher, my heart would be pounding at the start of each day to stand in front of my elementary students and begin a lesson. Yet, it has to be done.
“See a need. Meet a need.” in addition to supportive family, and the most spectacular friends, pushed me well beyond any comfort zone that I am no longer sure of what a comfort zone even looks like for me anymore. I can say, that I am grateful beyond words that when I stepped out into this new adventure, it was a pleasant surprise to find like-minded community members immediately ready to join hands. Many hands make light work, and I firmly believe that we are better together. There are no illusions that I could do any of this on my own, and I am thankful there is no need for that either.
With a little help from these friends, I have certainly improved in lessening the limits I place on myself and being a little less critical in my self talk.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.409family.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/409family_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/409Family
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-sutton-409family
