We were lucky to catch up with Danielle Fontus recently and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned in school and why that lesson is important to you?

Shortly after starting kindergarten, I was moved to first grade and that shaped my entire school career and my way of showing up in the world among my peers. From that point, I was always different. I was always the youngest in my group and did life events after everyone else – first period, sweet 16, drivers license, etc. During those elementary and high school years, when fitting in the most valuable currency, it was isolating. I hated it in moments, but over the years, I learned to accept and even found fun in being different.

Fast forward to my senior year at Emory University. I had an appointment with my advisor who told me that the only way to complete the required credits for my double major in Psychology and English was to take summer classes. But the way my family finances and student loans were set up, that was NOT an option that I was even trying to entertain.

Of course, I had the initial defeat of the gut punch. This adult, the professional, my ADVISOR was telling me the “harsh reality”. But she didn’t know ME, and she didn’t know MY reality. (Note: Because she was on sabbatical, we hadn’t even met since my freshman year.) I knew that not accomplishing what I wanted was NOT an option. I’ve been that way since childhood. Whether it was convincing my mom to let me go to a party, proposing a 4-hour lunch break to a boss for driver’s ed, or booking a one way ticket for a study abroad program the summer before, if it’s one thing about me, once it’s in my head, I’m GOING to make it happen. It not happening is NOT an option.

My path has always been unique, and I knew it was up to me to figure out how to make it work for me. With research and conversations, I figured out that I could get credits from an independent study and from an on campus job. I proposed an independent study project to an English professor and then found an opportunity with a Psychology professor at a child behavior research lab. I got approval to take on extra credits. I did what I had to do to complete all of my requirements for both majors and proudly walk across that stage in May.

And I have taken the independent study mentality with me ever since. My good friend and professional coach Kimberly Brown recently said something along the lines of: there are exceptions made for excellence. I have lived that. My mom ingrained that in me since I was young. When you are different, the path looks unique. My journey continues to be nontraditional. I have found opportunities in interesting ways and have segued those into other possibilities. I continue to carve out my own path.

My life doesn’t look like steps 1, 2, 3 to this promotion or that next position. It’s different. Yes, there are definitely times when I feel frustrated from comparing my steps to others. There are levels to embracing this life and living it day to day, and that is the real journey.

Danielle, 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?

Funny enough, I got into the hospitality industry unexpectedly. I was at a restaurant waiting for a friend who was late to his surprise birthday and while waiting, I filled out an application. With no prior experience, I was shocked when I got the call, and the day after graduation I started as a hostess at Houlihan’s on Peachtree in Atlanta. My mom was not exactly happy – after spending $$$,$$$ on my college education. (Think Claire Huxtable when she said “Sondra, you owe US $79,648.22!”). It was not exactly the internship she had envisioned. I did that for the summer, got another “real job” later that year, got laid off 4 months later and had a season of funemployment. After missing the rush, I got back into the industry and later fell in love and honed in on special events.

My focus is curating an experience. I am the calm in the chaos who brings all of the pieces together and finds solutions for all of the challenges that inevitably come with every event. I remain proactive and think of details that will set us up for future success. Whether it is the New Yorker in me or my Caribbean hustle, I have the dedication and creativity to make (sometimes the most impractical) magic happen.

Some people know me from my New York City events from 2008-2018, where I was hosting networking events and outdoor adventures. Some people know about my time in Chicago managing the events in a restaurant & nightclub. I pivoted back into the restaurant world in 2020 when large events were suspended.

I am most proud of creating this moment in time. I am now writing this new chapter in the special events space in a new city. Miami has been the perfect playground.

My brand has always been to create experiences that make people feel better and cultivate community. I am excited to curate vibes that feel good and last long after the event. While I play in the space of weddings and corporate events in my professional day to day, I will also soon be sharing more personally curated private events – from dinners to retreats.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I grew up with the idea that I had to keep my head down, do the work, work hard, tirelessly and endlessly, and one day someone will notice me and magically come and bless me. And that is success. The end.

I have learned and am still learning to speak up more and share the receipts of my successes to position myself for further advancement and opportunities. I now more clearly see how much of my success is in my own hands, and it is my responsibility to push for it and make it happen.

I also had to unlearn: if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. There are nuances and levels to this. I know that the way I do things is my personal magic. However, I have also seen the limitations in trying to do everything alone. I now know that I can have a greater impact by getting 50 people to do 50 things instead of trying to do 50 things alone. I am learning the power of trust and collaboration.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I love love love to see the magic that happens when the power of collaborative energy is in motion. Anyone who has worked with me knows how much I love a pre-shift and a team pow wow. The same energy of a football huddle is the same burst of energy I bring to any event or project.

My mom would be proud to know that this is where my degree in Psychology and English comes in handy. I also often think about my years as a camp counselor.

I have learned, practiced and really worked on my clear and direct communication style.

My team always knows that I am in it with them because I am very hands on and involved in operations. My favorite love language is to assist before it is requested. That’s one of the things I love most about this industry. The nonverbal communication and understood language of helping each other. From a pow wow, a friendly game or competition, to a personal check-in to a dance break or a shot of coffee, I make my team a priority. I know that the better the team feels, the better the operation will be, and the better the experience will be for the guests.

We bond through the most challenging moments, and I love to wrap a tough day with a celebration – whether it is to share a goal achieved or thank everyone for making it happen or a dance party. We push through the fire together, and it’s important for me to make sure that we support each other and win together.

My advice is to treat team members as people beyond the role that they play in their position. Clear and genuine communication goes a long way. There are so many ways to touch people – with a greeting, a resource, an honest conversation, coaching, empowerment. You never know how it could land or stick with someone even beyond your time together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: danidares
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellefontus/

Image Credits
Claudia Rios Be Nice Productions Nova JPEG Dee Williams