Meet Dere Hney

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dere Hney. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Dere, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I love this question! Purpose is something every human being is not only intrigued by, but it’s a huge motivating factor as well! As for me, I found my purpose while volunteering at a children’s ministry movie night. I found my purpose on the floor in my apartment, while I was putting together a Taco Tuesday menu for an upcoming event. I found my purpose talking to guest as a guest relations volunteer at a boutique hotel in Khanom, Thailand.

I find my purpose when I serve others.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hello, I’m Dere! A Doctoral Candidate turned Digital Nomad, who has been traveling the world for 6 months. I have been using social media to share how I, a millennial in my late 20s, took a major leap of faith to explore the world while managing two travel brands, growing as a content creator, and navigating life’s many facets—fitness, finances, dating, and more.
Throughout my travels, you’ll witness the growth of my travel planning business, Chosen Escapes, which can be both exciting and motivating for fellow entrepreneurs to watch. While the ongoing evolution of my travel and resort wear brand, TCO, may be something that resonates with those who start projects but need faith to continue pushing forward in business. Overall, I hope my journey inspires others who find themselves on a similar path of discovery and growth.

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?

The three skills that have made the biggest impact on my journey are discipline, controlling the controllable, and faith. I can confidently say that if you focus on these three areas in just one part of your life, you won’t just see growth in that specific area—you’ll experience an overflow into other aspects of your life as well.

But I know this is easier said than done, so here’s my cheat sheet on how to really position yourself for success.

If you want to build discipline, start by going to the gym. Commit to a program for at least 21 days. I’m not saying you need to go every day or push yourself to exhaustion—what I’m telling you is to take yourself seriously and stick to something, even when it’s hard. This could mean waking up a little earlier or staying up later. The key is consistency. Once you’ve proven to yourself that you can stick to a goal, you’ll notice how it impacts other areas of your life.

As for controlling the controllable, you learn that you cannot control how people react, respond, or perceive things. You have no control over others’ actions—only your own. And realizing this is incredibly freeing! You have more control over your life than you think. Shifting your mindset to focus on what you can control helps, especially if you struggle with anxiety or feeling overwhelmed. Once you truly understand this, it becomes a powerful tool for navigating life’s ups and downs.

Lastly, this might be the hardest one because it requires immediate action. To strengthen your faith, you need to do something you’re afraid of—and believe that it will all work out. I first tested this when I moved from Florida to California by myself—no job, no friends, no family—and guess what? It all worked out. I did it again when I decided to become a digital nomad. I was unemployed and scared, yet here I am, in Da Nang, Vietnam, sipping on a $1 coconut coffee. This doesn’t mean life won’t throw challenges your way, but having faith allows you to keep moving forward regardless.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always looking to partner or collaborate with creators, entrepreneurs, and brands that align with my lifestyle focus—one that inspires individuals to savor, explore, stay, and pray, whether in their everyday lives or while traveling. If you’d like to connect, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram @missdere_.

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