We recently connected with Danielle Harrell Wills and have shared our conversation below.
Danielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea behind my work really came from lived experience. For years I found myself navigating situations where I was expected to figure things out on my own—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I realized that many of the life lessons I needed most weren’t things anyone had ever really taught me. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, confused, or simply unsure of how to move forward, and I remember thinking, “Why didn’t anyone teach us how to handle these parts of life?”
That question eventually became the seed for my book, 5 Things My Mom Couldn’t Teach Me. This book shows how some of us grow up without certain tools, not because our parents didn’t love us, but because they were navigating life with the knowledge they had at the time. Writing the book became a way for me to give language to lessons that are often learned through pain, growth, and self-discovery and to also heal parts of me that I have dealt with for years.
At the same time, my journey naturally led me into coaching and nonprofit work. As I shared pieces of my story, people started opening up to me about their own struggles—feeling stuck, lacking guidance, or trying to rebuild their lives after difficult experiences. I realized there was a real need for safe spaces where people could receive encouragement, practical guidance, and honest conversations about personal growth.
What made me believe this was a worthwhile endeavor was the response I kept seeing from people. When someone would say, “I thought I was the only one who felt this way,” or “No one has ever explained it like that before,” it confirmed that these conversations were necessary. The logic was simple: if so many people were struggling with the same gaps in knowledge, emotional support, and life guidance, then creating resources to address those gaps could truly make a difference.
My approach is also unique because it blends three things—storytelling, coaching, and community support. The book shares personal insight and reflection, coaching provides people with practical strategies and accountability, and the nonprofit allows us to extend that support into the community in meaningful ways. Together, they create a pathway for people not just to read about growth, but to actually experience it.
What excites me the most is seeing people realize that their past doesn’t define their future. Whether through the book, coaching sessions, or the nonprofit’s work in the community, my goal has always been the same: to empower people with the tools, perspective, and confidence they may have never been taught—but absolutely deserve to have.
Danielle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a certified life coach, author, and nonprofit founder whose work centers around empowerment, personal growth, and helping people navigate the parts of life that many of us were never taught how to manage. My journey into this work didn’t begin in a classroom or with a business plan—it began through lived experiences and a deep desire to turn my challenges into something meaningful that could help others.
Professionally, I also work in the behavioral health field as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), supporting children with autism. That experience has strengthened my understanding of behavior, communication, emotional regulation, and the importance of meeting people where they are. Over time, I realized that many of the same principles—patience, guidance, structure, and compassion—are just as important when helping adults navigate life’s challenges.
My work now exists in three connected areas: writing, coaching, and community impact through my nonprofit. As an author, I wrote the book 5 Things My Mom Couldn’t Teach Me, which explores real-life lessons about growth, healing, and self-awareness. The book isn’t about blame or criticism of how we were raised—it’s about acknowledging that many of us grow up without certain life tools, simply because our parents were doing the best they could with what they knew. Through storytelling and reflection, I share lessons that many people learn through difficult life experiences and help readers realize they are not alone in their journey.
As a life coach, I work with individuals who may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about the next chapter of their lives. My coaching focuses on clarity, personal development, mindset, and helping people build the confidence to move forward. Many people come to coaching because they know they want more for their lives but don’t always know how to get there. I help them identify barriers, shift their thinking, and create realistic steps toward the life they envision.
Through my nonprofit work, I extend that same mission into the community by creating spaces and resources that encourage healing, growth, and empowerment. My goal has always been to make sure that support, guidance, and personal development tools are accessible to people who may not otherwise have them.
What sets my work apart is authenticity. Everything I share—whether through my book, coaching sessions, or community work—comes from real life experience, not just theory. I believe people connect most deeply with honesty, and I’m not afraid to speak about the realities of growth, healing, and rebuilding.
What I’m most proud of is turning my experiences into something that helps others find strength in their own stories. Hearing someone say that a conversation, a chapter in my book, or a coaching session helped them see themselves differently or gave them the courage to keep going is incredibly meaningful to me.
The main thing I want people to know about me and my work is that growth is possible for everyone. No matter where someone starts, there is always an opportunity to learn, heal, and move forward. My brand and my mission are built around empowering people with tools, perspective, and encouragement so they can create the life they truly deserve.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my journey came when I had to take an honest look at what was and wasn’t working in my career and personal life. For a long time, I followed the path that many people expect—working hard, showing up, and trying to make things work even when the circumstances weren’t always aligned with my long-term goals. At one point I found myself in a position that required me to constantly be on call, and while I was grateful for the opportunity and the experience, I realized it wasn’t sustainable for the life I was trying to build.
That realization forced me to pause and really evaluate what I wanted my future to look like—not just professionally, but personally as well. It was a moment that required both courage and faith because pivoting often means stepping away from something familiar without having every detail of the next step completely figured out.
Around that same time, I was also continuing to grow in other areas of my life. I had written my book, 5 Things My Mom Couldn’t Teach Me, and was beginning to step more fully into my work as a life coach and nonprofit leader. What started as sharing lessons from my own experiences began resonating with more and more people who were navigating similar challenges in their own lives.
The pivot wasn’t just about leaving a job—it was about aligning my work with my purpose. I began focusing more intentionally on building platforms where I could help people through coaching, writing, and community outreach. Instead of only working within one system, I started creating opportunities to impact people in multiple ways.
Looking back, that pivot taught me that sometimes growth requires us to be honest about when something no longer fits the direction we’re meant to go. It also reminded me that stepping into purpose often requires taking a leap before everything feels perfectly secure.
Today, that moment of change feels less like a disruption and more like a turning point. It pushed me to trust my vision, invest in the work I’m passionate about, and build something that allows me to empower others while continuing to grow myself.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe what has helped me build my reputation the most is simply being honest, open, and real about my journey. In a world where people often feel pressure to present a perfect image, I’ve always chosen to lead with authenticity. I don’t position myself as someone who has all the answers or someone who has lived a flawless life. Instead, I share the lessons I’ve learned through real experiences, challenges, growth, and reflection.
People connect with honesty. When I talk about personal development, healing, or growth, it comes from a place of lived experience rather than just theory. Whether through my book, my coaching, or the work I do through my nonprofit, I believe people can sense when someone is being genuine. Being transparent about both the struggles and the progress has allowed others to see themselves in my story and feel safe opening up about their own.
Another thing that has helped build trust is consistency. I try to show up in the same way across everything I do—whether I’m working with a client, speaking to someone in the community, or sharing insights online. My goal has always been to create spaces where people feel heard, supported, and encouraged without judgment.
I also think listening has played a big role in building my reputation. Many people are looking for someone who will truly hear them, not just tell them what to do. Through coaching and community work, I focus on understanding people’s experiences and helping them find clarity and solutions that work for their lives.
At the end of the day, my reputation has grown because people know they are going to get the real version of me. I’m honest about my experiences, open about what I’ve learned, and committed to helping others grow. That authenticity has allowed people to trust my work, connect with my message, and feel confident sharing my work with others.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @virtuouswomenofsuccess @virtuousdiva_ga
- Other: coachdaniellewills@gmail.com virtuouswomenofsuccess@gmail.com
