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Leading with Lee™
Danielle Towner Talks Marketing & Entrepreneurship
As owner of Dream Work Creatives, LLC, Danielle has the opportunity to use her gifts of business development and creative expression. She has a passion for helping solo entrepreneurs and small businesses make their dreams work through marketing and creative strategy. Danielle’s digital marketing services have helped countless businesses build their brand awareness and online presence using social media marketing, website design and content marketing. Her blog features business and lifestyle growth tips and “Dreamer’s Den Podcast: Entrepreneurs Making the Dream Work”. During her free time, she enjoys travel, movies, books and the endless joy of her little one.
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Q. What inspired you to create a marketing business?
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Really, I think the business found me. When I left the financial industry, I started a blog and that led to many different opportunities. I blogged for other marketing companies, worked on social media projects, and evaluated websites for page ranking purposes. Building and maintaining some of my own blogs and websites helped me learn a lot about website design. Getting traffic and exposure for my blog also helped me learn the digital marketing process. When the opportunity came to help others build and market their online business, everything I had experienced was right on time. I’ve always enjoyed the process of marketing and the versatility it offers. When I was in grad school for business, marketing was my favorite subject. My wheels are always turning and I’m appreciative of the creative processes of many different industries. So all of that makes sense as to why I started the marketing business and why I love what I do!
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Q.What services do you offer at Dream Work Creatives, LLC?
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My core services are website design, content marketing and business/marketing consultations. I also have an online store where I offer digital products and merchandise for entrepreneurs.
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Q. When working with entrepreneurs, which marketing service is most requested?
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My top service is still website design, but many people also book consultations. A lot of clients need guidance as to how everything works together with marketing their online business. They want to know what to do to actually sell their products and services.
Q. What were some of the first steps you took in order to become an entrepreneur?
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I did a lot of research. I read a lot of books, magazines, blogs, and watched videos. That was
before the boom of course creators existed. Lol. Then I made sure I started making my plans. I didn’t do an official business plan until later on, but I still made sure I had an idea of what I needed legally, financially and otherwise.
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Q. Have you come across any roadblocks as a business owner? If so, how did you overcome them?
I’ve definitely come across some roadblocks or delays in my business. I plan out content and marketing for my own business every month and it doesn’t always go as smoothly as planned. I’m a mompreneur, so the lines are often blurred between business and parenthood. That can cause me to get off schedule of what I thought was my perfect plans. But I always push to ask what I or others can do to make things happen. It could mean asking for help or adjusting plans, but it never means giving up.
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Q. Can you tell us about the Dreamers Den podcast?
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I had this vision of building a platform for entrepreneurs where they can inspire and be inspired. For those who have a dream of becoming an entrepreneur or evolving as one, the episodes of the podcast will help them get there. Dreamer’s Den Podcast is a mix of solo and duo episodes. Sometimes I teach about business and marketing. Other times, I have a guest come on to share about their business and expertise. Sometimes on Sundays, I’ll drop a laid back episode where I discuss a current event or what
goes on behind the scenes of entrepreneurship.
Q. How do you balance out the mom-boss life?
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I’m currently a full time business owner and a full time mom. Meaning, my toddler is with me 98% of the time. It’s been that way since he was born. To balance mom-life, I learned how to love being a planner. I was more of a “free-spirit, plan the
day on that day” type of person before becoming a mom. Now, I plan my months and weeks ahead of time. I have a theme for each day of the week to stay on track with what I have to do for business and for my son. So, when I wake up, I know
exactly how I expect the day to go. Things don’t always go as planned, but having the plan makes it easy to rearrange and get back on track. I also give opportunities to other entrepreneurs by contracting them to help with my business tasks. It was hard to part with some things, but it’s totally worth it.
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Q. Do you have any upcoming projects, or services in the works?
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Yes! I’m so excited that I’m in the completion phase of my first book. I collaborated with Chassity Parrish of RoadMap2Balance4Momz to write a book for moms who want to start or grow their business. It’s packed with business, marketing, and self-care tips just for moms. I’m also working on a video course for those who want to take the DIY route with building their website or starting a website design business.
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Q. What does success look like to you?
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This answer would have been totally different a few years ago. Today, success for me is touching the world in a positive way, being my absolute best as a mom, and leaving a legacy my loved ones can be proud of and appreciate. It’s also mastering my flaws and struggles, making sure those things don’t hold me back or delay my purpose.
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Q. What advice can you give to aspiring millennials, who would like to go into business for
themselves?
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Start with a plan, be confident, and be yourself. People want to see the real you. Also, don’t be afraid to try things. Trying things and learning from mistakes and successes helps to lead you to your purpose.
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Connect with Danielle:
IG: dreamworkcreatives
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Interview by: Leading with Lee
Published: 10/10/2020