As a female-founded, mission-driven company who has drawn so much inspiration from other women, we knew early on that we wanted to find a way to share amazing women with our people (that’s all of you) each week. We figured what better way to honor women who inspire us every day + inspire you all, than to create a weekly series called Feature Friday: Females Who Inspire Us.
If you have been following along on our social media, you know we kicked this off the 1st Friday of International Women’s Month and now we are doing an in-depth feature/Q+A of women who inspire us on the daily and then sharing it not only on our social media channels but also on our blog.
Without further, adieu, please give it up for this week’s Feature Friday Female: Daniella James.
As we grew up with a mom who was a nurse until she retired in February 2021, we have always known what superheroes our healthcare workers are, but now everyone around the world knows about these bada** these women (and men, but we’re focused on the ladies for Friday feature). Not only is Dani a healthcare worker who is pursuing a further degree while being a wife & mama, but she is also a fellow female entrepreneur with her Etsy brand Hashtag Hoodies.
Daniella lives in the Queen City, Charlotte, NC. with her husband, mom, and 1-year old son, Myles. She is a masters-prepared registered nurse and is currently pursuing an online MBA in Healthcare Management.
Who are some women who inspire you daily, personally or professionally?
My mom, Kathy, inspires me personally and has done so my whole life. She is a wonderful mother, and I have loved watching her become a grandmother to my son. My sister, Nicola, also inspires me: she is strong and resilient, and has a huge heart. As far as professionally, I have women colleagues in nursing who inspire me and who I turn to frequently for advice - Kathy Shaffer and Sue Ashcraft to name a few.
Who has been the most influential woman in your life, in becoming the person you are today, helping you discover and pursue your passions?
My mom. She supports every dream I have and lifts me up after every failure. She has taught me to work hard, be honest, be gritty, but also to be kind. My mom lives with us and helps us in so many ways. She is the best!
What has been your proudest moment personally or professionally?
My proudest moment was becoming a mom. Motherhood is challenging, but what a damn privilege to be able to raise a young boy. He grounds me when I feel anxious or overwhelmed. Just this morning he discovered puddles and splashed around with a huge smile on his face; toddler joy is so pure.
What has been your most challenging moment personally or professionally and how did you overcome that challenge?
My most challenging moment personally was losing my dad when I was 25. Grief is a complex emotion, but each year it gets a little easier to navigate - the waves of grief become less intense. I credit counseling, family support, and self-care to overcoming (can you overcome grief totally?) this.
What does wellness mean to you? And why is it important to you and your family?
Wellness means doing things that make YOUR body and YOUR mind feel good - not what society tells you wellness is to you. That could be a 10-minute walk, a 45-minute Peloton ride, making a nutritious smoothie, going to bed early, or reading a book! Prioritizing my wellness makes me a better wife, a better friend/colleague, a better sister, and a better mom.
What does your typical daily wellness routine look like?
I always try to get 8 hours of sleep. If not, I can feel it. I try to get outside daily, especially as the weather is getting nicer. Fresh air and sunshine heal everything in my book. I try to eat balanced throughout the day - it makes me feel better and clearer cognitively. Lastly, my wellness routine ends with some decompression in the form of a Bravo show - where my Bravo fans at?!
What drove you to become an entrepreneur?
This sounds silly, but I watched a TikTok about passive income. I've always had innovative ideas for companies, so I dove headfirst into Hashtag Hoodies and didn't look back -- "no sacrifice, no reward".
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