We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Dana. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.
Sarah, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I grew up in a spiritually-bound family that was very nurturing and protective. Life outside of home was a little harsher than that at a young age at school. I was a child that was very quirky and bubbly, for the most part, but was often made fun of with harsh words and being a social outcast at a young age, up until early adulthood. I feel like what really strengthened me to go against the odds was seeing how gifted I was at a young. A lot of people don’t know this, but I have a background in music and singing. It’s where I felt seen in these spaces. Just creative spaces in general, and I was fortunate enough to have a family that always supported my creative side. Being in these environment where I was uplifted for my talents has really strengthened my self-esteem over the years, despite what others have said or done to me. I think particularly, I get my resilience from my parents and my sister. They takes no bull from anyone, and I always love hearing stories about that from them, because I see myself being that way. I also feel my resilience comes from being Haitian-American, knowing our history fighting for freedom, knowing my deep spiritual roots and how I’m so protected—I think that’s so badass. Haitians are literally the strongest people I know–we don’t take bull from anybody!
I was very soft-spoken up until recently. I’ve learned very quickly how being more intentional about the life you want, and being assertive is so important to pave that life for yourself. Understanding that not everyone is going to like that about you, but having to build that resilience within yourself to handle that. Being resilient enough to know that you’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but respect needs to be earned and given. The business world has definitely showed the good, bad, and ugly parts of society. However, I think being exposed to that at a young age being bullied has been challenging, but has also shaped me to the person I am today, who is very resilient.
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?
I’m a proud Connecticut native. I was born and raised in Bridgeport, CT where it is full of diverse people and diverse minds. I always dreamed of leaving this state, as many do, to pursue my career aspirations and creative opportunities once I graduated from college. However, that didn’t work out because God had different plans for me. I ended up going to graduate school to pursue my Master’s in Social Work in Connecticut–during the pandemic mind you. I wasn’t really sure exactly how I wanted to pursue social work, but I knew wanted to do something in the community. I moved up to Hartford around 2021 to finish my program. In the meantime, I’ve been running this shop during my time in graduate school to make extra income, and at this point I was fully invested. I wanted to create a platform where I can combine my social work career with my business — whether it would be teaching yoga, providing healing circles, or practicing clinical work while also selling spiritually-healing products. After going through different trial runs, I’ve decided to open up my accessory shop, where I sell handmade jewelry, home decor, and other types of accessories to empower and energize people and their space. That was the overall mission of my shop, and I’m so happy that I’m able to tackle on this mission to this day. I knew, since the beginning, that I wanted to create a space where people can not only shop from me, but create a community of like-minded individuals and healing circles. Doing workshops like diy sun catchers, beading bracelets, etc, has been such a tremendous goal that I’ve set for myself, and happy to know I’ve accomplished that goal. And I absolutely want to continue building community-centered events like these, especially now everyone wants to go back out again after being socially isolated for the past three years or so. I think the pandemic has showed us how lonely a lot of people are, and it’s so important for people to create communities that facilitate bonding and friendship–not competition. I think that what’s makes me stand out from a lot of business, especially where I live. These spaces in the business world is known to be super catty and competitive, and I don’t any parts of it. I’m here to create a community full of creatives–not just me being the creative person to gate keep everything.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think what has helped me was to be more assertive in my wants, needs and boundaries as people in this world–especially in the business side–will take advantage of your kindness and lack of boundaries. Being more patient has helped me see things in a different light, where people’s shortcomings is nothing personal. I’ve had negative interactions with a lot of people over the years since I started my shop, but I’ve learned that people struggle in their own life, it has nothing to do with me, and that they are in their own journey they have to work on while I work on mine. Lastly, being open to learn opportunities outside of my knowledge. Being open to receive help. I’ve struggled asking for help, which can often being a short coming of mine. If I don’t reach out, then how will I have these opportunities in front of me? My journey to success is my own success, but I also learn I don’t have to do alone.
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 for anyone who is serious about their work, their passions, and their business to collaborate. We live in a abundant world that has room for all of us to eat. I can learn from so many people the way people have learned from me. I love collaborations. Most of my collaborations have been through exclusive releases or workshops. However, I want to collaborate with some visual artists to merch that I think can cast a wide-net to a larger audience for everyone involved! It’s what I love about the work I do–it’s very niched but I can reach out to so many different artists within different sectors to creative a beautiful project. Whether it’s a yoga session, T-shirt or tote collaboration with a visual artist, creating special accessories for a clothing shop, etc. My creativity is very diverse that can work with many people who are serious about their work. If you’re willing to collaborate, you can always reach out to me directly via email or social media!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lunascence.com
- Instagram: @lunascenceshop
- Facebook: lunascence
