Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dalaise Hickey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dalaise, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
As a Black Woman, I have often had experiences being the only person in the room who looks like me, I have learned to be effective and successful through a combination of self-assurance, adaptability, and perseverance.
Growing up as a minority, I have had to learn to adapt to different environments and learn to have confidence in my abilities and what I bring to the table. Embracing my unique perspective and experiences allows me to contribute in a meaningful way. I focus on my skills, knowledge, and expertise, reminding myself that my value goes beyond my appearance and any judgements that are made based on it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a mom of two, a social worker of over 15years and a recent entrepreneur. Making a difference in the world has always been what drives me, as a social worker, I have always worked my best to make even a small meaningful impact in the lives of those I come in contact with. After the pandemic and the lost of relatives, I wanted to refocus my attention on how I could give back in a way that was meaningful to myself and the community. This led me into the journey of becoming an entrepreneur and launching BabyDonna, a sunscreen and skincare company, creating products for black and brown children.
BabyDonna launched our sunscreen stick made specifically for babies and toddlers of darker skin tones on May 30th, 2023 and in just four weeks, we have surpassed many goals, including sales and media features. The amount of interest in our product and support received has been so affirming that this was the right decision. As a mom with two children and one with a skin condition, I always knew how difficult it was to find products for their skin and specifically sunscreen and that led me to finally create one. I expected that other parents would feel validated and relieved to finally have a product, but I have been blown away by the outpouring love that has been shown. I am excited for what is to come next and expanding our product line to a sunscreen lotion. It has been both an exciting and terrifying journey, but I am happy to be on it!
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?
Looking back on my journey the three qualities that I believe were key for me were
Resilience- There are so many obstacles both seen and unseen that take place from the beginning of starting a business and onward, being able to bounce back after a fall and continue on is so crucial in order to succeed.
Passion- As I mentioned before, starting a business and running a business is not an easy feat and it has to be something that truly drives you internally and that you are passionate about. The passion for what you do is what will keep you going day to day and it is what helped me continue on when there were many tough times.
Support System- I can’t stress enough how important having a support system is. Even just one person there, to help you navigate, vent, cheer you on and just be a listening ear can make all the difference. Finding that support early on in the journey is beneficial to you.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
As a young girl and specifically a young black girl growing up in the Bronx, my mom always made an effort to show me that there was a world beyond where we lived. Despite being a single mom and being unable to afford the travel that other families might be able to, she made an effort to take us to museums, teach us about other cultures and share information about other countries and leaders early on in our lives.
Having this from my mother, helped build a curiosity in me to want to both see more and do more. She taught me to have pride in where I came from, but to also not allow that to hold me back and to dream big. Without her, I wouldn’t have made the choices I made and be where I am today. I am forever grateful to her and as a mom now, I can appreciate eve more just how hard things were for her.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.babydonna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babydonnaofficial/?_kx=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BabyDonnaOfficial
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalaise-hickey-lmsw-642bab9a/
