Every week we’ll be featuring a smart, savvy female entrepreneur we think is just great. These are women who are out there in the trenches each and every day, making things happen and affecting other people’s lives for the better. So pull up a comfy chair, grab a cup of coffee and meet this week’s SheBrand Superstar. We can all learn a golden nugget or two from each other.
Name: Danielle Diamond
Website: https://www.XenStrength.com
Occupation: Founder of Xen Strength Yoga, Co-author of “The Inner Zone” with Dr. Barry Sears, to be released in 2014.
Twitter Handle: @xenstrengthyoga
1. What are three words that best describe you?
Dedicated, Funny, Compassionate.
2. Tell us why you’re awesome in two sentences or less?
I’ve supported myself through some very tough times, and have chosen to view them not as obstacles, but as opportunities to grow. I’ve managed to build a business, and maintain an incredible relationship with my husband and two boys, which means more to me than any number in my bank account ever will.
3. What are your three biggest indulgences?
1) Gelato, Yoga Retreats, Organic food.
4. What’s currently your favorite…
Restaurant: From Seed to Sprout, A great little vegan cafe near my beach house.. Can you say coconut bacon? Awesome!
Shopping Destination: The Prada outlet in Montevarchi outside Florence… I treat myself when I host my annual yoga retreat in Umbria.
Hangout: The backyard of our house at the Jersey Shore, it overlooks the river and has a huge lawn for home run derby.
City: Rome. I love to hang out in Trastevere and people watch.
Food: Brick oven pizza from Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn
Cocktail: I don’t really drink, but if I do it’s a St. Germaine cocktail
Book/Author: The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
Song/Artist: If I had to listen to only one band forever it would be U2, favorite song: Beautiful Day
Website: My latest favorite is The Chalkboard Mag
Magazine: Yoga Journal
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
When people blame their childhood circumstances for their life 20 years later. I can only say this because I’ve been through some horrible things, and I refuse to let it influence my life today. At a certain point you have to let go of the past, move on and take responsibility for your life, or at least quit moaning about it.
6. If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be?
My mother. She died when I was 21 and I would give anything to see her one more time.
7. Why is having a powerful personal brand important to you?
Oddly enough I’m trying not to make my brand all about me..lol. However, I do love the idea of having a vehicle to help other people find yoga and use it as a tool to discover the parts of the themselves they already love, and those parts they need to work on. I can truly say that yoga saved my life when I was in a really dark place, so I teach from the heart and really practice what I preach.
8. What is your #1 tip for fellow women entrepreneurs?
Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Find other women who are running their own business and create a mini-mastermind group to support each other. Also, don’t expect to immediately be making six figures and have an email list of 10,000 people- that’s a huge lesson I had to learn. I’ve learned to be realistic about how many hours are in the day, and how much work it takes to rise to the top. Luckily I’ve also learned that the harder you work, the sweeter the success when it comes!
Danielle Diamond is an inspiration all around!