MENTORSHIP

When I first started working with Danielle, I was feeling alone and overwhelmed with all the things I needed to do to get my new business off the ground. Danielle stepped right in and expeditiously helped me to define priorities, get organized, and develop the assets, branding, and systems I needed to take my business to the next level.

- Ariel Davis, Founder, The Brooklyn Teacup

Running a business is hard. But starting one is on a whole other level, especially if you’re going it alone. There’s so much you have to do, and every time you finish one thing, you realize that there are 5 more tasks to add to the list. You have an idea of what you want to do, and maybe a sense of what you want your brand to look like, but you have no idea how to make it happen. You’re so overwhelmed and you feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done the right way. Especially if you still want to have some balance in your life and do fun things—you know, like eating and sleeping occasionally.

That’s where I come in. Hi, I’m Danielle. And I’m going to be your new business partner. I’m a solo entrepreneur, modern calligraphy artist, designer, and above all, teacher, who loves helping and being a resource for others. I started learning calligraphy in 2016 and was so excited about it that I started my business a few months later. Since then I’ve worked with Google, Facebook, the Guggenheim Museum, Chelsea Market, Etsy HQ, L’oreal, Foursquare, and more, teaching about 2,000 students how to get started with calligraphy and watercolors, and offering pop up shops and design services for personalized journals, cards, and prints. But teaching is nothing new; I earned my MA from Columbia Teachers College in 2012 and worked at a career mentorship nonprofit before striking out on my own. I also earned a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University in 2019. Calligraphy was just a hobby until I discovered that I could use it to inspire others to explore their creativity. Connecting with others is as natural to me as breathing, and everything I do comes from a sincere place of wanting to help people - whether that’s by creating the perfect thoughtful gift or being a sounding board for their next big idea.

What We’ll Do Together

This isn’t your standard consultation bullshit where you listen to me talk for half an hour and then leave with vague nuggets of “wisdom” that may or may not apply to you and your business. What I’m offering is 100% about you, your goals, and what you need to do right now to move your business forward.

I will be your partner, on equal footing, not some untouchable expert who thinks they’re always right. You’re the expert on your business. I’m just here to guide you and help get shit done. I’ll be in the trenches with you, working right by your side and helping you create a plan of action that actually feels doable. No one cares about your business like you do, but I will. And it’s not all talk—I’m going to be creating your materials right along with you.

I don’t know everything (I know, shocking) but I’ve built a pretty cool professional network of folks who can help you do pretty much everything, from taking kick-ass product photos to editing your next video series. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find out who does and put you in touch. There’s nothing I love more than building community and connecting people. Wherever you are in your professional journey, I’ve got you covered.

how it works

We accomplished more in 2 hours than I had accomplished in the last 2 years.

- Nikki Canon, Artist + Illustrator, Nikki OfteN

Introductory Meeting: The Unstuck Session

First we’ll have an introductory 2-hour Zoom meeting that I like to call the Unstuck Session. We’ll get to know each other, you’ll tell me where you’re at, and I’ll give you actionable advice that you can start using right away.

Everyone leaves this session with 2 things:

1. An Action Plan with your next steps listed out for you

2. A recording of the session that you can rewatch as much as you want

If we decide that we like working together and have a project in mind, we’ll start putting together an Accountability Plan. If not, that’s fine too, we’ll each have made a new friend.

The Co-Creation Process

Co-Creation means that we’re both going to be creating value. Together. On the surface it might look like we’re doing just an ordinary design or strategy project, but it’s actually a deep dive into your business’s psyche and a way to produce high-quality work in a fraction of the time. In Co-Creation Sessions, we both show up and do the work in the real-time. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your mission and your clients, and we’ll make design assets that reflect your values and goals.

Some project ideas that we can work on together:

• Clarifying Your Focus + Telling People About it - You’ll take a business questionnaire to help you clarify who your business is and who you serve, and then we’ll use these insights to create new brand language that succinctly says what your business does and who it’s for. You can use this copy in outreach, on LinkedIn, and on grant applications.

• Business Audit - Review images, copy, and marketing to see where you’re at and what needs to happen to get to the next level

• Business Triage - Figuring out what you can do RIGHT NOW that will make the biggest impact for your business. And then doing it.

• Logo and Branding Design - Creating your brand’s style and templates for a cohesive style across all channels

• Website Strategy & Advice - What does your website need to say? How should it look? Let’s put all the pieces together

• Getting Organized and Setting Up Sustainable Systems - What’s your biggest time suck? How can we streamline it?

• Taking an Idea and Turning it into a Business - Let’s get it started together.

• Launching a New Product or Service - What is it? Who is it for? How are you going to get it to them?

• Calligraphy & Illustration Services - We’ll create custom design assets that you can’t get anywhere else. Clients have used my work on social media, websites, tote bags, stickers, t-shirts, window decals, journals, client gifts, and more!

Co-Creation + Accountability Sessions

We will have bi-weekly Co-Creation Sessions where we work on your project and give each other feedback every step of the way. While there will be action items and follow up, the bulk of the design and strategy work will happen in real time. We’re going to show up, make it happen during our meeting, and then go back to doing all of the other stuff we have to do to keep our businesses running. I don’t want to leave you with a thousand to do list items that’ll never get done; that’s how you ended up stuck in the first place.

Once your project is complete (or if you opt not to work on a specific project), you’ll have the option to continue working together with bi-weekly Mentorship & Accountability Meetings. We’ll meet, check in on your progress, plan for the future, brainstorm new initiatives, and maybe vent a little. I’ll even keep you company while you do scary things like email back that important potential client. Like I said, I’m here for you, and I’m not going anywhere.

Who You Are

My Co-Creation Process isn’t for the faint of heart. We both have to show up ready to work. I’m going to be honest with you, I’m going to push back, and I’m going to help you workshop your ideas until they feel right. I’ll encourage you too, don’t worry—and it’ll mean more because you know it’s genuine. We’re going to move fast and talk a lot and do more. This is for highly motivated people who are ready to take the next step, whatever it may be. We’re going to brainstorm new ideas, find better ways of doing things, and always look for how to take things up a notch. That means change, and lots of it, as well as uncertainty and ambiguity and all of that big scary stuff that makes being a business owner so hard. But here’s my promise: I’ll be here. I’ll hold your hand, give you a gold star, and, when necessary, kick your butt into gear. You’re not doing this alone anymore.

Danielle has a genuine enthusiasm for business and people, coupled with a wealth of experience. Her guidance has given me confidence to grow in both a business and personal sense.

- Jade, Artist, Jade Scarlett Art

Pricing

Introductory Unstuck Session: $250

This includes our 2-hour meeting over Zoom, a recording of the session for you to refer back to, as well as a follow up email with action items and connections for further conversations.

Co-Creation Sessions: $100/hour

Most sessions are 2 hours long (depending on the project). We will discuss a project plan and budget when we get started, and keep lines of communication open throughout our work together.

Mentorship & Accountability Meetings: $100/hour

Usually 1-2 hours, consider these sessions to be a bi-weekly tune up. You’re also welcome to schedule a session any time in the future if you need to get re-centered after our work together.