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 RedCarpetDiva Profile: Monique Danielle of DivaDesignWorld
According
to Monique Danielle, DivaDesignWorld President and Founder, “a Diva
is smart, gutsy, and unafraid to strut her stuff.” Chances are those
who know Danielle, would say the above attributes aptly describe her,
so she’s more than at home when she’s referred to as a Diva. Giving
other women the occasion to show themselves in this way became a mission
for Danielle.
Her
vision to create a women-focused website to facilitate access to meaningful,
community resources arrived when some of the greatest ideas show themselves:
in the middle of the night. About a year ago Danielle woke up from a
deep sleep and knew she was destined to build a website with the intention
of helping women professionally connect and thrive. “I also knew it
would be called DivaDirectories,” she muses.
For
on-the-rise businesses and non-profits, having a Diva lead the marketing
way might be just what’s needed to achieve success via results-driven
communication strategies and graphic design. Danielle explains, “We
unite creative inspiration with savvy business ideas to provide clients
with clear, effective marketing tools to stay competitive. DivaDesignWorld
is serious about project success, while remaining balanced and low-key
in the process.”
Part
of what enables Danielle to provide a high level of accomplishment is
the love for her work, and skill in identifying the strengths of each
professional relationship. “I was taught by my mother to treat every
individual equally whether dealing with the janitor or the CEO. This
approach to interaction helps build genuine relationships, which are
the foundation of all business or personal success.
“I
search for win/win business relationships where objectives become mutually
productive and fulfilling. I understand the importance of customer service
which means knowing realistic parameters and sticking to promises. At
DivaDesignWorld clients are encouraged to dialog with us about their
needs and expectations.”
Danielle
believes that specific womanly qualities, such as negotiating relationships
for success, and being communication-oriented, are a tremendous asset
to the entire business world. Knowing when things need to be worked
out, and when to run with success, ensures golden opportunities aren’t
overlooked. Capacity for negotiation also assists when one’s faced with
business challenges. Danielle reflects on a few of her own challenges.
“When
I first started my business, I had an operating budget of $500. I worked
hard and smart; I was fiscally conservative; I built a solid client
base, and utilized a cautious use of credit. As a result, I’ve expanded
my business from one barely able to afford business cards, into to a
thriving company that gives back to the community via financial and
in-kind donations.”
Another
challenge for Danielle that remains trickier to navigate is one most
women experience in the corporate world: sexism. Danielle is not afraid
to note that sexism still exists in the business world. Since DivaDesignWorld
started out as a home-based business, Danielle had firsthand experience
of numerous gender-based stereotypes.
“There
were a handful of people who assumed just because I worked from home,
I was a housewife first, and pretending to be a business woman,” she
states. “Even well-meaning folks would say things like, ’How’s your
little business doing?’, or ‘I wish I had time to stay home with my
kids like you.’Condescending attitudes ticked me off! I worked 80 hours
a week, and was still treated as if I were throwing purse parties!”
Danielle
overcame the stereotypes by building a solid portfolio of respected
clients who valued her scope of skills, work ethic, and recognizes the
tenacity effective multi-tasking takes. She also draws from numerous
sources of inspiration to carry her through the ups and downs of building
a business, one of which has stayed with her since High School.
“In
the 9th grade I took a ‘Social Living’ class,” reflects Danielle.
“Our teacher shared stories with us about famous failures – people like
Lucille Ball, a woman I greatly admire, and Abe Lincoln. They both failed
miserably many times. But because they never gave up, they ultimately
became very successful. These real-life examples showed me the importance
of not taking ‘no’ for an answer, and success happens for those who
hold unwavering faith.”
For
Danielle, a second generation American, immigrants are also inspirational.
Her family left their homelands and faced tremendous obstacles to provide
Danielle with the opportunities she has as a United States citizen.
She acknowledges the significance of leveraging every opportunity that
comes her way, no matter how small it may seem. And, rather than wasting
her time feeling sorry about things she doesn’t have, Danielle reminds
herself of her life’s blessings including her strong will, a supportive
husband, healthy children, and true enthusiasm for learning.
“One
thing I’m passionate over and would love to learn more about is art
in all its forms,” Danielle conveys. “If God graced me with talent to
sing or paint, I’d do either of those for a living. However, since earning
a buck through my voice or artwork’s not likely, I’ll continue to help
others reach higher levels of professional and personal success through
innovative and honest marketing communications.”
Providing
clients with a fresh approach to marketing success, one designed around
respected relationships, is what enables DivaDesignWorld to consistently
prosper. “Regardless of race, creed, color, gender, or socioeconomic
status, people are basically the same. We all need love, shelter, and
security. Everything else is secondary,” Danielle explains. “When I
remember this, I acknowledge that titles, money, and the rest have nothing
to do with the quality of a person. Treating one another with respect
and kindness is what grounds me, and my company, to the principles of
equality and fairness.”
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