We recently connected with Dana Toy and have shared our conversation below.

Dana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

As we grow up, we tend to learn from our environments, often mimicking the behaviors we observe even if we’ve been advised otherwise. I was taught that the secure path involved going to school, finding a job, and gradually working my way up. I learned that playing it safe, avoiding risks, and sticking to the familiar were the keys to certainty. Fast forward to my adult life, and I followed the path I knew. I attended school, secured a position with a reputable company, and climbed the corporate ladder. After dedicating eight years to this company, an opportunity arose for me to start a small business. However, this venture was short-lived, and I reverted to what I perceived as a secure option. Seven years later, I met my now-husband. At the time, he was building his own business, and together, we dreamed of the day when I would have the freedom to manage my own time and schedule. There was just one problem—I was overwhelmed by fear. My husband had grown up in the world of small business, so the instability didn’t faze him. For me, the thought of relying on myself to generate income triggered anxiety.

Two years into our marriage, an opportunity to purchase an existing business presented itself. I felt confident that I could enter a field I knew nothing about and find a path to success. However, apart from that confidence, I felt anxious and lost. We spent time praying about whether this decision was right for us, and we felt compelled to move forward. Leaving behind a full-time job that provided for our household was a nerve-wracking prospect. The fear of the unknown can be paralyzing. I feared how we would find the money to buy the business, the level of responsibility that came with managing other people’s incomes and my own, and the possibility of failure leading to negative consequences in our lives.

Despite my feelings, we decided to feel the fear and do it anyways. We said yes without having all the details figured out. We didn’t have enough time to secure a loan for the business, so we had to find an alternative solution. A few months before the purchase date, when a significant portion of the required funds was needed, we shared our plans with someone. Unexpectedly, they offered to become a silent investor to help us acquire the business. We had faith and believed that things would work out, even though we had no clear idea of how it would happen. We purchased the business, and I bid farewell to the 9-to-5 life. Running a business has its challenges, however the rewards have far outweighed the risks.

Dana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Dana is a devoted individual who derives her strength and solace from her faith in Jesus. She places paramount importance on nurturing her mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. After leaving the corporate world, Dana embarked on an entrepreneurial journey alongside her husband, Ben. Together, they adeptly manage two flourishing businesses, On Purpose Adventures and Nature Adventures, situated in Charleston, SC.

Driven by an unwavering passion for self-awareness and personal growth, Dana actively seeks opportunities for self-improvement. She wholeheartedly embraces introspection as a means to evolve into her best self. Currently, Dana is in the process of writing her first book which is designed to help others break free from labels to discover their true identity.

During her moments of relaxation, Dana finds joy in spending quality time at home with her beloved pets, cherishing moments with family and friends, or embarking on adventures around the world. She serves as a shining example, inspiring others to harness the transformative power of faith, self-care, and continuous self-improvement.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

As a new leader, I quickly realized that there was a lot for me to learn. While my kindness and care for others were valuable qualities, I understood that they alone would not be sufficient for creating a successful and efficient team. I embarked on a journey of self-improvement and sought knowledge from various sources. Several books played a significant role in shaping my leadership skills, including “Leaders Eat Last,” “The Oz Principle,” “The Four Agreements,” and “Start with Why.”

I firmly believe that learning from others can expedite skill development. To supplement my reading, I actively engaged with podcasts and articles on leadership, motivation techniques, and handling difficult conversations. Through these resources, I gained valuable insights into effective leadership practices.

However, what has had the most profound impact on my leadership journey is the realization that genuine care for one’s team members as individuals makes the greatest difference. Demonstrating servant leadership initiated a paradigm shift within the team. This shift created an environment where we all genuinely looked out for each other, even in moments of disagreement.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Running a seasonal business, I always struggled with creating a financial budget that adequately prepared us for the slow seasons. However, my perspective shifted dramatically after reading the book “Profit First.” This book revolutionized my approach to business ownership and management. Since adopting the Profit First method, we have experienced significant improvements in our financial stability.

Implementing this method has had a profound impact on our financial management, particularly in terms of reducing surprises related to taxes, spending, payroll, and savings. While transitioning to this new budgeting system within the business required some time and effort, a year later, we began to see tangible benefits. As we entered the off-season, we experienced significantly less stress.

One of the key advantages of this system is that it allows us to set aside money monthly for yearly large purchases. When the time comes for these expenditures, we already have the funds allocated. This proactive approach has prevented us from overspending on expenses and payroll.

In essence, adopting the Profit First method has provided us with a set of financial guardrails that we never had before, helping us navigate the challenges of seasonal fluctuations with greater confidence and control.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @danaleopardtoy
• Facebook: Dana Leopard Toy
• Linkedin: Dana Toy