We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danni Time a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Danni, thanks for joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard
Danni Time Events offers themed events and adult dance classes. The thing we pride ourselves on the most is the fact that we advocate and educate for mental health. We allow the space for vulnerability and people to be themselves without judgment. However, we find time to provide resources, coping strategies, and insight when it comes to matters of emotional and mental well-being. In all of the dance classes I’ve attended, I haven’t met a twerking social worker and that’s me! I believe in meeting people where they are and normalizing their interests while motivating them to be the best version of themselves.
Danni, 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?
With a masters in Clinical Social Work, focusing on mental health, Danni finds joy in providing an escape from everyday life stressors. She was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, a city she loves to call home. Like most youth trying to find their way she has faced some challenges, but was quickly attracted to the outlet of dance. At an early age, she mastered hip-hop and took on some hip-winning techniques. Today, she has perfected her talents and offers this feel-good experience to others through instructing dance classes.
Danni was granted the nickname “Danni Time” because whenever she was around her peers, her welcoming presence and uplifting spirit would have a positive effect on the atmosphere. Friends would often say, “I want some of that Danni Time Experience.” One friend in particular would chant “It’s Danni Time” whenever she entered the room. Combined with her love for people & passion for creative events, Danni Time Events was created! That same non-judgment and compassion her peers experienced, is the feeling she looks to offer anyone that encounters her and patronizes her events.
With creative themes and fun-filled activities, Danni is always looking to provide an outlet. Danni Time Events is more than an outing, it’s an EXPERIENCE you will enjoy!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe it’s important to love what you do. There’s so much to learn when starting a business. There’s a lot of risk-taking and faith work. Saying that to say, if you are not passionate and your brand doesn’t come from a part of your heart I don’t believe it’ll be sustainable. You have to nurture it like a mother nurtures her child. When the going gets tough it’s the passion and love for what you do that keeps you going. Motivating others has always been a part of me. I am the friend that will call out the best in you when you’re feeling defeated. I am the person to encourage a stranger and remind them that they have what it takes to keep going. Giving people what we call “the gas” has become a part of my reputation, it’s who I am. Anything that’s a part of you comes naturally when implementing it into your business. I call my classes the “Gas Class” This is where individuals (Gas Gang) are motivated to encourage each other combatting fear, self-doubt, and lack of confidence. We are using the art of dance to rid of doubt and show up as our best selves. The message from the classes are true life lessons. I love that I am able to establish a business based on my love for people, and desire to motivate! It’s my reputation and my business.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Many will have different advice and strategies for running a successful business. The biggest lesson to learn is that what works for others isn’t always the anecdote for you. I’ve struggled with feeling incompetent or uneducated enough in business to start a business. It was one thing to host events for fun or gather friends for a night of dance, but when it came to turning my passion into a business, fear quickly set in. I battled with Imposter Syndrome. I thought that it was too many successful people in my market to fit in. That was something I had to unlearn asap. To anyone reading this, START WHERE YOU ARE! I’ve learned that when you at least start, everything else will follow; the lessons, the knowledge, the networks, and the resources. No matter how saturated a market is, no one else can be YOU! Be sure and confident in who you are so that you can tap into that and set yourself aside to offer something no one else can. Study your field learn what’s missing and cater a service to that need. There is room for you! Stay around those that motivate you and challenge you to aim higher. If you’re not intentional with a positive mindset and atmosphere, negative thinking will keep you from making a life-changing move.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dannitimeevents.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dannitime_events
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanniTimeEvents
- Twitter: @DanniEvents
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dannitime_events